Engraving text (four weeks extra delivery time)

A name held in metal

Engraving a keepsake urn turns it into something that belongs to one person. A name, a date, a short phrase, cut into the brass and there for good. If you are considering adding engraving to your mini urn for ashes, this page explains exactly how it works and what to expect.

Laser engraving in brass

The text is applied using a laser, which burns the lettering directly into the brass surface. This produces a dark grey mark that reads clearly against the colour of the metal. No ink is used and none is needed: the contrast between the engraved line and the surrounding brass does the work. The engraving is placed on the widest, flattest section of the urn. On urns with a brass-coloured band, the text is applied to that band only.

Choosing what to include

The wording is entirely your decision. A birth date and date of death, a first name, a full name, or a brief combination of the two. That choice is what makes the cremation urn belong to someone rather than simply refer to them. If you are not yet sure what you would like, you do not need to decide immediately. You will receive a layout proposal before anything is engraved, and you can request changes at that stage.

The approval process and delivery time

Because engraving is made to order, it adds approximately four weeks to the delivery time, counted from the moment you confirm the layout. The process runs as follows:

• Within a few days of ordering, you will receive a layout proposal showing your text as it will appear on the urn.
• You can request adjustments at this stage. Once you confirm the layout, the urn is sent for engraving.
• The engraved urn is then dispatched to you. Total additional lead time from confirmation is approximately four weeks.

Durability and care

Brass is a robust metal that holds up well under normal indoor conditions. Because the laser engraving is part of the surface itself rather than applied on top, it will not fade or wear away through handling. Keep the urn dry and avoid prolonged contact with moisture, as damp conditions can cause brass to discolour over time.

Check your text carefully before confirming

Please read your text through more than once before giving approval. A laser engraving is permanent. Once you have confirmed the layout, the lettering cannot be changed. Take a moment to verify the spelling of every name, the order of the dates, and any punctuation before you send your approval back to us. The layout proposal stage is there precisely to give you that opportunity, so do use it.

If you would like to talk through wording or are unsure how to phrase something, we are happy to help you work it out before anything is confirmed.