About
Earth to earth...
ashes to ashes...
d u s t t o d u s t . . .
We are Noel & Jill Brennan, a husband and wife team helping you stay connected through sculpture. Our casting of ashes method and service is unique and we are committed to providing a caring, personal and professional service. Every stage of the process is done lovingly by hand and we make all our own moulds so you will not find our designs anywhere else.
Shortly after placing an order you will receive an ashes collection kit containing instructions and everything you need to return some ashes to us. These will be handled respectfully and lovingly at all stages of the process. They will be stored in a safe place until we are ready to cast them on your behalf at an arranged time of which you will be informed.
d u s t t o d u s t . . .
The ashes you send us are cast - literally sprinkled - into the mould as the cement is being poured so that they become fully incorporated into the solid piece.
In this returning to earth they are reformed into something new … something tangible to hold space for the essence of the one you love.
ASHES COLLECTION KIT
The ashes collection kit will include instructions customised to your order so you only send us the amount of ashes we can use. The ashes will be double-bagged inside sealed plastic pouches, then folded and sealed with a sticker so as to avoid any leakage during transit. The attached name label should include the name and postcode of the person making the order.
The amount of ashes we request will be specifically calculated for your order. Any surplus we are unable to use will be returned to you.
Upon receipt of the ashes we will send you an email to let you know they have arrived safely and to give you a timeframe for when we plan to do the casting.
CARE OF ASHES
We feel very honoured that you entrust us with something so precious as your loved one's ashes, and can assure you that we take good care of them and always handle them with respect.
They are stored in a dedicated secure cabinet and never leave our workshop. Before we start a casting we always light a candle in honour of the person who has died and in acknowledgement of absent friends and family. We are conscious of how much this means to you and want to give you the opportunity to personalise the occasion. For example you could choose a piece of music you wanted us to play or even join us via a livestream link if you want to feel more involved.
OUR PROCESS
Each of our designs is sculpted by Noel, initially in clay, after which a silicone mould is made by pouring rubber in layers. For larger pieces a plaster jacket is created which will hold the mould in place during the casting process.
For our cement mix, we use sand mined at a local quarry, meaning that when you commission a sculpture from us not only will you get something unique and lovingly made, but also a little piece of Cornwall.
Placed indoors or outdoors your Casting Ashes® sculpture will be something you can cherish for years to come and take with you if you move house.
Our sculpture reflects the shapes, tones and textures of the natural landscape. Each piece is a one-off, with its own distinctive markings, flaws , character and unique charm..
just like each of us
MEET US
Jill Brennan
Jill has a background in teaching, social work and Christian ministry.
We are Noel & Jill, a married partnership who moved to Cornwall in 2015 for a lifestyle change & to work creatively together. Casting Ashes was trademarked in 2017 and combines our interests in sculpture, spirituality and pastoral care.
We aim to help you grieve softly by creating something tangible you can hold in your hand to feel an ongoing connection to your loved one. We hope our products bring you a sense of comfort, reassurance, peace and enduring presence.
We live above our shop with our son and Roy the miniature poodle. When we are not working we enjoy exploring the Cornish countryside, woodlands and coastal areas.
Noel Brennan
Noel is the designer and sculptor with a commercial backgroun in film, media and special effects.