Gold photo urn necklace engraved with a dog portrait, worn over a white turtleneck

How to Fill an Urn Necklace

To fill an urn necklace, unscrew its top loop or cap, use folded paper or a small funnel to add a small, symbolic pinch of ashes, then screw it closed firmly. Take your time: you can wait until you feel ready, or ask someone you trust to help.

Before you start

  • Choose a quiet spot away from open windows, and turn off any nearby fan.
  • Place a tray or a large sheet of clean paper on a steady table to catch anything that spills.
  • Have a clean piece of paper to fold into a narrow channel, or a small funnel if you prefer.
  • Keep a small spoon nearby if it would help you lift a little at a time.
  • Have a soft cloth ready to wipe the threads before closing.
  • For the bar necklace, have a small flathead screwdriver that fits its bottom cap, such as an eyeglass screwdriver; one is not included.

How to fill your necklace

  1. Set the necklace on your tray or paper, with everything you need within reach.
  2. Find your style below and open its cap or loop, keeping the removed piece in the tray or on the paper.
  3. Fold the clean paper into a narrow channel, or position your small funnel at the opening.
  4. Place a small pinch of ashes on the fold, using the spoon if helpful, and gently guide them into the opening.
  5. Tap the paper or funnel lightly if needed, stopping before the chamber is full so there is room for the closure.
  6. Wipe any ashes off the threads with the soft cloth.
  7. Screw the cap or loop back in firmly; use the screwdriver for the bar’s bottom cap.

If a little spills, you can pause and gently gather it from the tray or paper with folded paper or a soft cloth. There is no need to rush.

Where each style opens

Small round pendant: top loop

The Pet Urn Necklace for Dog & Cat Ashes opens at the loop on top, just like the larger glass locket. Unscrew the loop to reveal the small fill hole, and keep the loop beside you until you are ready to close it.

Three-panel illustration of a small gold-tone urn pendant: cap removed, a pinch of ashes poured in with folded paper, cap screwed back
Illustration of opening, filling, and closing the small round pendant.

Larger glass locket: top loop

The Glass Urn Locket Necklace for Pet Ashes opens at the loop on top. Unscrew the loop to reveal the small fill hole, and keep the loop beside you until you are ready to close it.

Three-panel illustration of a gold-tone glass urn locket with its top loop removed, being filled, and closed
Illustration of the larger glass locket with its top loop removed and replaced.

Round photo pendant: top loop

The Photo Engraved Urn Necklace for Pet Ashes opens at its top loop. Unscrew the loop and fill through that opening; the portrait stays on the front of the pendant.

Silver-tone round urn necklace with an engraved dog portrait, the name Elphie, and a loop at the top
The round photo design; its top loop unscrews for filling.

Cylinder: top cap

The Cylinder Urn Necklace for Pet Ashes with Photo Charm opens at the cap on top of the cylinder. Unscrew that cap to fill the cylinder; the separate portrait charm is not the chamber.

Gold-tone cylinder urn necklace with its top cap lifted above the opening and a separate round pet portrait charm
Product illustration showing the cylinder with its top cap open.

Bar pendant: bottom cap

The 4-Sided Engraved Bar Urn Necklace for Pet Ashes opens at the bottom when worn. Turn it upside down and use your small flathead screwdriver to unscrew the cap, keeping it upside down through filling and closing.

Three-panel illustration of an upside-down silver-tone bar pendant with a screwdriver opening its bottom cap, filling, and closing
The bar is upside down here: the fill cap is at the bottom when worn.

If something doesn’t go as planned

  • If the cap will not screw back on, check for ashes on the threads, wipe them clean, and try again gently without forcing it.
  • If you have added too much, tip a little back onto the clean paper or tray to leave room for the cap.
  • If the cap is hard to open, dry your hands and try gripping it with a soft cloth; for the bar, check that the screwdriver fits the slot, and stop if it slips.
  • If the necklace arrived damaged, set it aside and contact us using the details below before trying to fill it.

How much should I put inside?

Only a small, symbolic pinch of ashes is needed. Leave space for the cap or loop to close firmly.

Can I use fur instead?

You can place a little fur in the small round pendant, larger glass locket, round photo pendant, or cylinder. The bar is made for a small pinch of ashes.

How to care for your filled necklace

Keep it away from water: take it off before showering, swimming, washing your hands, or exercising, and store it somewhere dry. Keep it away from perfume and cleaning products, too.

Whenever you feel ready

If you are still deciding, you can compare the styles in the Pet Memorial jewelry collection. There is no set time when you need to choose or fill a piece.

If something arrived damaged, defective, or made incorrectly, we can help: email support@pawtraittown.com with your order number and a few photos, ideally within 14 days of delivery. You do not need to send it back.

We will send a free replacement, or refund you if we cannot replace it. Each piece is made to order, so returns for other reasons are not available; you can read the refund policy for details.

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