A BUSINESS in Cumbria is helping families remember their loved ones with an innovative idea referred to as “memorial artwork”.

A man from Whitehaven has dreamt up a one of a kind idea to help families remember those they have lost, incorporating crematorium ashes in a treasured framed picture of the deceased.

Owner of Ashes to Images, Daniel Grears said: “A couple of years ago I was listening to a radio presenter who had a problem transporting his dog’s crematorium ashes to Australia, where he and his family were due to emigrate.

“Various people were messaging the show suggesting he had the ashes made into jewellery. It was at this point that it occurred to me how good it would be if crematorium ashes could somehow be put into a picture, and my memorial artwork business Ashes to Images was born.”

Crematorium ashes are sealed into a framed photograph of the deceased with resin. The pictures, which come framed and in black and white or colour, serve as a reminder of those that have passed away.

Mr Grears added that he sees it as an alternative to the process of using ashes in jewellery.

It is early days for the business as Ashes to Images went live in March but Mr Grears has already served a valued customer.

“A lady in her late seventies told us that for the last eight years she has been talking to an urn filled with her husband’s ashes.

“But when she received her Ashes to Images picture from us, she said it’s the closest she has felt to him since his death.

Mr Grears said: "She no longer feels silly talking to him because she can actually see him.”

He said: “This made us feel incredibly emotional and proud to be bringing a little bit of happiness into someone’s lives.”

Running the business is proving to be a rewarding experience for Daniel.

“That’s the best part of it, when you get the response from people.

"It’s bitter-sweet but very positive.”

It is a new venture for Mr Grears, he started his engineering career by completing an apprenticeship at Sellafield Limited where he worked for seven years before spending 14 years in Manchester. He moved back to west Cumbria in October 2019, settling in St Bees.

The innovative new business is unlike anything Mr Grears has been involved in previously.

He said: “It was a long road of trial and error and money spent perfecting the process, because it was important to me to create an image where the ashes can clearly be seen.

“If you can see the ashes in the picture then the connection is visible as well as emotional.”

Mr Grears is currently working to build exposure to his new business with a website and Facebook page.

To learn more about Ashes to Images - Memorial Artwork, visit: https://ashestoimages.co.uk/