What Happens to Jewellery or Personal Items?

Families often worry about what happens to jewellery, glasses, or personal items placed with the person who has died.

These objects carry enormous emotional weight and deciding what to do with them can feel surprisingly difficult. Understanding the options can help you make a choice that feels respectful, safe, and true to your person's wishes.

Cremation

When it comes to cremation, it’s important to know that any jewellery or metal items placed with the person will deteriorate in different ways during the cremation process.

Some items may melt, warp, or become unrecognisable.

If you’d like a deeper explanation of what happens to jewellery inside the cremation chamber, please refer to the previous blog – Myths About Cremation.

Because of this, many families choose to remove jewellery beforehand, either to retain as a keepsake or to pass down through generations.

Others feel strongly that everything should remain with the person, and that's equally valid. What matters is that you understand the implications and make a choice that feels right for you.

You Have Choices

You're not limited to one approach. Personal items can be:

• Left with the person

This is often chosen for sentimental or symbolic reasons.

• Removed and returned to you

Rings, necklaces or watches can be taken off before the funeral and kept safely.

• Placed in the coffin but removed before cremation

If you want the items present during the ceremony but not cremated, the funeral director can discreetly remove them afterwards provided this is arranged in advance.

These options allow you to honour your person in the way that feels most meaningful.

What Is OK to Leave in the Coffin?

For cremation, natural and combustible materials are generally safe to include.

Items such as letters, photographs, soft toys, or small wooden objects can be placed inside without any issue. These items burn cleanly and do not pose a safety risk.

However, anything containing a battery - such as mobile phones, laptops, electronic devices, or even musical greeting cards - must not be placed in the coffin. Batteries can explode during cremation, creating a serious hazard.

Other items to avoid include:

• Glasses (both spectacles and glass bottles).

• Synthetic materials that may release harmful fumes.

• Pacemakers, which must always be removed before cremation.

  
  

If the funeral is a burial, the rules are slightly more relaxed. Technically, no one checks what's inside the coffin once it is lowered. However, it’s still wise to consider the environmental impact of placing plastics, electronics, or non‑biodegradable items into the ground.

Follow Your Heart

There's no right or wrong choice.

Some families keep a ring, necklace, or watch as a cherished keepsake. Others feel strongly that everything should stay with the person as part of their final journey. Both decisions are equally meaningful.

What matters most is that the choice reflects your love, your values, and the story you want to honour.

Fun Fact – Witney Houston was buried wearing $350,000 worth of jewellery and clothing!!