3D Printed Urns and More: Personalization in the Death Care Industry

The Power of Personalization in the Memorial Industry: 3D Printed Urns and Beyond.

22:03 19 August 2024

Increasingly, consumers demand personalization. Advanced technology and product competition make people crave more products and services completely tailored to their liking. The death care industry is responding, providing their customers with a wider range of customizable products than ever before – including 3D printed urns.

But why is this so important? And how can you take full advantage of it?

3D Printed Urns: A New Frontier in Death Care

3D printed urns are memorial urns that can be built and customized however a customer wants. You'll work with a 3D print designer, outlining your intentions for the project, and together, you'll eventually put together an urn of the shape, size, color, and dimensions you want – whatever that happens to be.

Some people choose to create an urn that specifically reminds them of the person they lost, while others design something to function as a beautiful piece of display art. There are no right or wrong options; instead, each individual can choose for themselves how they want to remember their loved one.

According to In The Light Urns, “Grief is a personal journey, and finding a tangible way to honor our loved ones can provide comfort and connection long after they're gone."

3D printed urns are but one example of how personalization is taking over the death care industry. From creating cremation jewelry to planning celebration of life services, people have more options than ever before.

Why Personalization Matters

Why does personalization matter so much in the death care industry?

• No more one size fits all. There are some advantages of products designed to be “one size fits all.” But when it comes to death care, not everyone fits into the same box. If there are only three or four different types of urns to choose from, you may feel like nothing fits the personality of your loved one or that nothing is going to seamlessly resonate with your life. Getting to customize or build something from scratch means getting exactly what you want.
• Alignment with the deceased. This is also an opportunity to make sure the urn aligns with the personality, character, or interests of the deceased. It's a way to immortalize them in a physical form, and getting to personalize that form makes it even more powerful.
• Personal reminders. If you're like most people, a plain metallic urn or a simple wooden box can't trigger your favorite, most nostalgic memories of the person you lost. Instead, it's specific photos, shapes, places, and sensory experiences that trigger those profound memories. Personalizing your memorial items allows you to tap into these memories much easier.
• A sense of control. Some people appreciate the process of getting to customize their death care products and services because it gives them a sense of control in an otherwise chaotic and helpless situation. This is something that you have agency over.
• An act of remembrance. The very act of creating something unique and deeply personal is an act of remembrance, and some people find it especially valuable during the grieving process. This is a great opportunity to contemplate your loved one and perhaps even come to new conclusions about how you feel about them.
• Personal interest and attachment. Designing and customizing something deepens your personal interest in it, as well as your attachment to it. Personalizing any object instantly makes it more meaningful and more deeply affective.

How to Make the Most of Your Options

So how do you make the most of your personalization options in the death care industry?

• Shop around. Shop around to see how many options you truly have. Some death care industry providers may have limitations on what they can do.
• Have an open conversation with a specialist. Consider talking directly to a specialist, such as a 3D printing engineer or designer, who can help you accomplish your vision. They can give you guidance and advice and how to customize something perfect.
• Talk to your family. Also talk to your family about the options available to you. They may have ideas or suggestions for how you can make the most of this opportunity.
• Openly brainstorm. There are many techniques you can use to brainstorm, but make it a point to brainstorm openly. That means considering a wide range of different ideas and pulling from many different sources to come up with the best possible vision.
• Review proofs and prototypes carefully. Proofs and prototypes give you an opportunity to review what the finished product will look like before it's created. Review these carefully so you get exactly what you want.

Like in many other industries, personalization options in the death care industry are likely to become even more diverse and available from here. And as technologies advance even further, we may be in store for even more unique creations in the future.