Ashes 2 Stone grew out of my own long journey with grief. Within about six months, I lost both of my parents and chose cremation for each of them. Like so many families, I was left with urns and ashes—and an uncertainty about how best to honor them.
My oldest son wanted to takes some of the ashes to spread in a lake where he and my father would always go fishing. I could not bear the thought of my dad’s ashes being spilled or being wind-blown back into the face and clothes of my son. So, for a long time, those ashes stayed hidden away, stored in dark lonely urns rather than celebrated. I knew deep down there must be many others with similar experiences as mine.
Through my own experience, I discovered that ashes can feel messy, dirty, difficult to share, and painful to scatter. I wanted something more meaningful—something I could hold, carry, and feel connected to. That was the beginning of Ashes2Stone. It has been 15 years in the making, but with my scientific background in Nuclear Medicine and Biotechnology Research and serving as a dean overseeing one of the oldest Biotechnology Programs in the state of North Carolina, I with the advice of experts, eventually developed a successful reliable method of solidifying cremated remains (ashes) into stones.
At Ashes 2 Stone, we transform cremated remains—whether of loved ones or a beloved pet, into beautiful Zen‑like stones. It also does not matter how long you have had the ashes, they can always be solidified into stones. These stones of various shapes, colors and sizes can be held in your hand, carried in a pocket, placed on a nightstand, or even returned gently to nature. Those stones are a beautiful way to keep connections close, physical, and deeply personal.
I also know firsthand that the cost of solidifying ashes is incredibly expensive, leaving many families feeling priced out of something they deserve. That’s why Ashes2Stone is committed to keeping our cost well below the competition—without compromising on quality, dignity, or care.
My mission is simple: To help families and individuals create a lasting, affordable, and beautiful remembrance of the ones they love, that they can hold, share, display or return to nature.
