It’s not an easy thing to face, but there’s no denying it, death is a part of life. When our loved ones pass on to the other side, all we can do is honor and cherish their memory. Of course, popular methods like cremation allow people to keep a piece of the deceased close to them.
As 3D printing technology continues to advance, one exciting facet is the ability to create ceramic objects. In fact, the Spanish company Narbon is using ceramic 3D printing to offer people a unique (and slightly morbid) way to remember those who have passed on.
Have you ever thought of using human ashes for 3D printing? It sounds crazy, but Narbon in Madrid, Spain is doing it. With the versatility of 3D printing, Narbon seized the opportunity to say so to enter an untapped industry whose mission is to preserve the memories of our loved ones. Similar to Diana Law’s 3D printed jewelry, Narbon uses a mixture of ashes and 3D printing materials to make jewelry and custom objects.
3D Memories Service
3D Memories is the name of this new service provided by Narbon. Narbon is a funeral company with more than 90 years of experience in this field. Their new technology uses human ashes for 3D printing by mixing human ashes with 3D printing materials. This method has been patented by Narbon. The company’s commercial director José María Robisco explained: “We sell emotional experience, not technology.”
How does it work?
Once the cremation is completed, the deceased person’s ashes are sent to Narbon. The company then combines the ashes with porcelain and other high-quality enamel materials. The 3D memory service is started when the remains are collected, but it should be noted that not all ashes are used because the amount of ashes depends on the selected object. After 7 to 10 business days, the final product is sent to the customer, along with any unused material.
“We guarantee that nothing will be lost,” Robisco said. The company uses only the necessary materials and the remainder will be returned to the family. “It seems that the ashes of one person are important to others.” To print with human ashes, they used a 3D Delta printer, which was modified to mix ashes with 3D printing materials during printing.
Although it may seem strange to some people, what Naben wants to see is that it becomes natural, but most importantly, they want to see it as a beautiful memory for the person we love.
What can you expect from the service?
Each 3D printed memory will come with a unique QR code that can be connected to the surecuerdo.com website. This will allow family and friends to connect to Narbon’s social network and share condolences for the deceased. The company is bringing an extremely unique approach to the traditional funeral industry, using 3D printing to offer a different way to honor the dead. It may not be appealing to everyone, but some bereaved people will surely find value in being able to keep a part of their loved ones with them through this wild ride called life.
The options they’ve offered
The materials you can choose are plastic, wood, metal, and ceramic materials, such as porcelain (Narbon’s star product).
There is a wide range of unique finishes for jewelry. This includes comfortingly named colors like Blue Caprice, Sea Breeze, Essence of Poppy, Red Sea, and Pink Light. Eventually, Narbon hopes that their services will be made available in every funeral home.
Gallery of the 3D Memories Products
