I’m assuming you’re asking this question because you’re looking to create memorial dice using the cremated remains of lost loved ones or pets, and the answer is yes, you can make dice using cremated remains.
Commissioning someone else to do this for you, however, is a little tricky. Speaking in terms of legality alone, you must provide:
- Express, written consent to the individual or company you are commissioning
- Remains that have been cremated at a licensed crematory
Laws can vary by jurisdiction, and families should confirm with local requirements before proceeding.
Furthermore, in the United States of America, shipments containing cremated remains must:
- Be carefully and specifically packaged
- Declare the package’s contents
Carrier/courier also matters: some services will not accept packages containing ashes.
Legality aside, some companies and individuals simply won’t be willing. In some cases, it’s an ethical problem. In most cases, however, it has to do with process. Most manufacturers and independent artists won’t have worked with this material before, and will therefore be uncertain if it can be used in their machines or work with their standard materials. What’s more, dice don’t always come out right the first time, and mistakes feel extra risky with this particular resource on the line!
That said, there are individuals and companies who specialize in turning cremated remains into powerful memorial pieces and mementos, and as far as we’ve heard, resin (a common material choice for dice) is actually one of the best mediums for accomplishing this purpose. It’s best to begin your search by looking for people who specialize in this field, then narrowing it down by looking for resin artisans specifically. Even if the artisan or company in question hasn’t work with dice before, they may be more willing to give it a try!
Some avenues to look into are: