In the time since launching Parting Stone, we’ve seen countless memorial ideas from families who’ve chosen solidified remains—from leaving stones in their loved one’s favorite places, to sharing remains with family members, to creating memorial gardens. For those looking to keep all or a majority of solidified remains, though, it’s become clear that folks have been looking for beautiful ways to display, hold, share them in ways that traditional urns don’t account for. We are excited to announce that we now have an answer to this dilemma: The Stay Container by Aril Memorial. 

 

Aril Memorial, a company with a longstanding history of crafting high-quality urns, revealed the Stay Container last week. With the unique design challenge of containing AND displaying remains rather than hiding them, Aril founder Chris Harvan worked through dozens of concepts and prototypes to arrive at the design for the Stay Container.

“Modern life surrounds us with objects of planned obsolescence, poor craftsmanship, and inconsiderate use of materials,” explains Aril founder Chris Harvan. “Shouldn’t our rest and remembrance be honored with durability, a loving touch, and quality?”

At the top of the Stay solidified remains container is a hollow in the red oak intended to display a handful of the family’s favorite stones. The interplay between the natural wood and variation within each stone creates harmony and integrates into daily life with a Zen feel. The powder-coated metal vessel interior can hold the majority of a loved one’s solidified remains. (a “full amount” set of solidified remains is typically 60-80 stones).

“What makes our work special is the generosity of materials and attention to texture,” says Harvan about Aril’s aesthetic. “This creates a space for a loved one’s remains that is austere and calm. With the Stay, the growth rings of the wood create a liminal space, a transition, between the living and those they are honoring. Accessible, yet protected.”

Out of consideration for the planet and the health of the craftspeople making Stay, the wood is protected with a non-toxic, vegan wax that is hand applied and buffed. Aril relies solely on recycled and recyclable packing and shipping materials for all its product lines.

“Every person’s stones come out with different hues, textures, and colors,” explains Justin Crowe, the founder of Parting Stone. “Now there is a beautiful way to highlight the uniqueness of our loved ones in daily life while keeping them close enough to hold.”

Aril produces the Stay in limited runs. If you are interested in ordering, click here.