Ashes to Ashes, to Heirlooms

Forget about the urn on the mantle. Now you can carry a loved one’s ashes around your neck, sealed in a gold pendant.

The Heirloom Pendant Collection made its debut Tuesday at the National Funeral Directors Convention in Cincinnati. As created by Terry Dieterle, an undertaker from Aurora, Ill., the necklaces come in yellow gold, white gold and diamonds in three designs--”Teardrop,” “Infinity” and “Love.” A small portion of ashes or a lock of hair from the departed can be permanently sealed inside each.

The pendants cost from $1,900 to $10,000 each.