Memorial Products: Markers, Flowers, Keepsakes, and Jewelry
Reviewed by Everendium Editorial Team · Last reviewed August 18, 2026
Quick answer
Beyond caskets and urns, families often consider grave markers or headstones, flowers for the service, and keepsakes like memorial jewelry or thumbprint charms that hold a small amount of ashes or a lock of hair. None of these are required — they're personal choices for remembrance.
Beyond the core decisions of burial or cremation, many families consider smaller, personal products for remembrance.
Grave markers and headstones
A permanent marker typically isn’t installed immediately — many cemeteries wait several months to allow the ground to settle, using a temporary marker in the meantime. (See our Cemeteries & Memorialization guides for more detail on choosing a permanent marker.)
Flowers
Flowers remain a common part of many funerals and services, though they’re entirely optional. Many families now request donations to a specific cause “in lieu of flowers” instead — a well-established and completely acceptable alternative.
Keepsakes and memorial jewelry
- Memorial jewelry designed to hold a small amount of cremated remains, a lock of hair, or a fingerprint impression
- Thumbprint charms, capturing an actual fingerprint in metal
- Keepsake urns, small versions meant for a portion of ashes rather than the full remains
- Memory books or photo albums, compiled for the family
No product is required
None of these are necessary parts of honoring someone — they’re personal choices some families find meaningful and others skip entirely. There’s no right amount of “stuff” that reflects how much someone is loved or missed.
Availability and pricing for memorial products vary widely — compare options before committing, especially for higher-cost items like jewelry.
Frequently asked questions
Do we need a grave marker right away?+
No — many cemeteries allow time (sometimes several months) before a permanent marker needs to be installed, partly because ground settling can affect placement. A temporary marker is often used in the meantime.
What is memorial jewelry?+
Jewelry designed to hold a small amount of cremated remains, a lock of hair, or a fingerprint impression — a way for family members to keep something tangible and personal.
Are flowers expected at a funeral?+
They're common but not required — some families request donations to a cause instead of flowers ("in lieu of flowers"), which is a completely acceptable and increasingly common alternative.
What other keepsake options exist besides jewelry?+
Options include memorial photo books, engraved keepsake boxes, thumbprint charms, and even items that incorporate a small amount of ashes into glass art or other objects.
Sources
Make this easier for your family.
Add what you've just read to your Final Day Plan — free, and saved for later.