In this section, you may be able to find out an answer to your question promptly, rather than sending an email or making a phone call. If your question is not answered below, please do not hesitate to contact me via the contact form, via email hello@ashleyfiona.com
Are you still making Ashkeepers?
Yes! Follow me on Instagram @ashleyfiona_com and sign up to my newsletter list (located at the footer of this page) to watch when I will have Ashkeepers available in my online shop.
Where are you located?
Ashley Fiona Ashkeepers & Ceramics studio is located in Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
Approximately 2.5 hours north of Sydney.
Do you have a physical store?
No. I have an online shop.
Do you create custom and personalised designs for Ashkeepers?
I’m currently on maternity leave and homeschooling my girls, so spaces are truly limited and will be filled gently, one at a time.
If your heart has been waiting for something bespoke, please reach out to me via my contact page.
Imagine a one-of-a-kind work of art, lovingly crafted to honour your beloved.
Each Ashkeeper is more than a vessel — it’s a tender reflection of your unique bond, your shared memories, and the love that lives on. From thoughtful details to deeply personal markings, every piece becomes a sacred tribute to the life it holds.
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How the Custom Ashkeeper Process Works:
The first step is to reach out via email — you can contact me at hello@ashleyfiona.com or through the contact page on my website.
You’re invited to share as much or as little of your story as you feel comfortable. These early conversations often involve gently speaking about your loved one and exploring design ideas. This is a creative collaboration — you're welcome to bring your vision forward if it’s already forming, or you can simply trust me to guide the design process for you.
If you feel ready to proceed, I’ll send through an invoice with a clear budget so we’re aligned from the start.
From there, I’ll translate our conversation into a hand-drawn design concept for your approval. Once signed off, I begin the slow, intentional process of creating your Ashkeeper using porcelain slip. This craft takes time — each piece is made patiently, with care, precision, and deep reverence.
Throughout the process, I’ll keep you updated. And when your Ashkeeper is ready to make its way to you, I’ll email you with your unique tracking number.
When it arrives, I always love hearing from you — it means the world to know it’s reached your hands safely.
I need an Ashkeeper urgently. Do you have any available for immediate collection/shipping?
I release small batches of Ashkeepers every so often on my online shop. What you see in my shop is what I have available.
Creating Ashkeepers from clay and transforming these into ceramic vessels is a slow and time-consuming process. This is the nature of working with clay; it is not a process that can be rushed as each piece is made with patience, precision and love.
What size Ashkeepers do you create?
The Ashkeepers I create are available in the following (approximate) sizes:
Small Ashkeeper: 1000ml capacity, 61 cubic inches. Can hold a max of 25kg
Medium Ashkeeper: 2.4L capacity, 146 cubic inches. Can hold a max of 66kg
Large Ashkeeper: 4L capacity, 244 cubic inches. Can hold a max of 110kg
How do I calculate what size Ashkeeper I need?
In order to hold all your beloved’s ashes in one Ashkeeper, you'll need to know their approximate body weight. If you are not comfortable with this, some funeral homes/pet crematoriums in your area should be more than accommodating to help you out here. The crematorium that provided the service should be able to give you a size/capacity from their records.
One pound of body weight will yield just less than 1 cubic inch of ash.
Assume that: 1 pound body weight = 1 cubic inch ash.
Approximate Weight = Approximate Cubic Inch Size.
It is always best to go bigger than you think you need, especially if you intend on having other items in the Ashkeeper with your beloved's ashes. If you are close to the maximum volume of the Ashkeeper, I recommend ordering a larger size Ashkeeper if you want to ensure that all the ashes fit.
I don’t want to fill the Ashkeeper, can someone do this for me?
I can ship directly to the crematorium or funeral home and they often will fill the Ashkeeper as a courtesy. Or you can have a family member or friend do it for you or help you to do it.
Do you place the ashes directly into the Ashkeeper?
Included with the Ashkeeper is a blue velvet drawstring cremation bag to place ashes or keepsakes inside. Please Note: The velvet bag must be inside the Ashkeeper when transferring ashes.
The bag is made specifically for holding ashes and is designed to be placed inside the Ashkeeper to transfer ashes into, then you just pull the strings to close the bag within the Ashkeeper. You can place ashes directly into the Ashkeeper, however most families prefer to hold the ashes inside the cremation bag within the Ashkeeper.
How do you transfer ashes into the Ashkeeper?
Included with the Ashkeeper is a blue velvet drawstring cremation bag to place ashes or keepsakes inside. Please Note: The velvet bag must be inside the Ashkeeper when transferring ashes. The bag is made specifically for holding ashes. You can place ashes directly into the Ashkeeper, however most families prefer to hold the ashes inside the cremation bag within the Ashkeeper.
Place a towel on a flat surface out of the wind and in good light. Place the Ashkeeper on top of the towel and put the lid in a safe place. Place the empty cremation bag inside the Ashkeeper, unfold it to fill the space inside and position the drawstring opening to overhang the rim. Place a funnel into the opening of the cremation bag. Pour the ashes slowly into the funnel and into the bag. Gently tap the funnel to settle the ashes. Pull the strings to close the bag and tie in a bow.
Creating a personal ritual for transferring the ashes of your loved one may help to soften your grief. You may like to light a candle, play some music or diffuse their favourite scent. You do whatever feels right for you and your loved one.
Do you offer a service to transfer ashes?
Occasionally I am able to transfer ashes for local clients, however due to the length of time the Ashkeepers take to create, this is not always an option. This can be discussed between the client and Ashley Fiona Ashkeepers & Ceramics.
How much do you charge for an Ashkeeper?
Please refer to my online shop for an up to date list of Ashkeeper pricing.
Do you accept reservations for pieces?
No. I announce my online shop updates on Instagram and other social media. I cannot reserve pieces. What you see in my shop is what I have available.
Do you accept wholesale orders?
No. I am currently unable to take on wholesale/consignment accounts.
Do you deliver?
I am occasionally able to make local deliveries (within the Port Stephens area), however due to the high demand of postage through the week, deliveries are not always an option. This will be discussed between the customer and Ashley Fiona Ashkeepers & Ceramics.
I travel to the post office one to two times a week, all purchases will be posted on my dedicated posting day, and will take time to process and safely package before I can post it to you. There are no guarantees on when your Ashkeeper will be delivered; if you need it ASAP please let me know before you place your order.
Do you post outside Australia?
Yes. I sell and ship my work worldwide.
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes.
Ashley Fiona Ashkeepers & Ceramics carefully wraps and double boxes all Ashkeepers. When the Ashkeeper is ready to be shipped to you, I will send you a message (or Squarespace will on my behalf) containing your Article ID/Tracking number so you can track your parcel. There are no guarantees on when your parcel will be delivered; if you need it ASAP please let me know before you place your order. Express post can be purchased at clients request.
Ashley Fiona Ashkeepers & Ceramics is not responsible for products damaged or lost in the mail. Extra cover/insurance can be purchased in addition to the postage fee. My pieces are packed very carefully, but in the event of an unfortunate accident and the piece arrives broken, please photograph the damage immediately and email me the images. Photographs are needed if a claim is to be placed.
As Postal services can be unpredictable, delivery delays can happen which is outside of my control. Ashley Fiona Ashkeepers & Ceramics advises you to check for delivery using the Tracking number provided via my online shop or call the Australia Post Customer Service line for further enquiries.
I don't accept returns, exchanges, or cancellations. But please contact me if you have any problems with your order.
Customs and import taxes:
Buyers are responsible for any customs and import taxes that may apply.
Ashley Fiona Ashkeepers & Ceramics is not responsible for delays due to customs.
Packaging
All items created by Ashley Fiona are carefully packaged. Ashkeepers are double boxed to ensure safe delivery to you. I reuse and recycle packaging to help our planet and keep costs down for you. I try to reuse packaging materials as much as possible and I often post out boxes that have been mailed to me. I understand it’s not as nice as receiving a super ‘pretty’ package with all the trimmings, but I also understand that this packaging will immediately or eventually find it’s way to the bin.
Care instructions
When caring for your Ashkeeper, the first consideration is their fragility. They are quite robust after they are filled with ashes, however they are handmade and are incredibly special pieces.
If you keep your precious Ashkeeper inside a cabinet, it minimises their exposure to dust. If you are cleaning dust from it, please sit down at a table to clean it - don’t stand up to clean the Ashkeeper. The most important thing to remember is to use patience and care when removing surface dust. The best way to clean dust from your Ashkeeper is to use a small, soft bristled artists’ brush. Dust by hand and be gentle, especially with the lids that may shift.
Please do not put the Ashkeeper in the oven, microwave or dishwasher as these will damage your Ashkeeper. Do not use any cleaning products on your Ashkeeper as these too, will have a damaging effect on your Ashkeeper. And please try to refrain from keeping the Ashkeeper in direct sunlight for extended periods of time. Slow and steady will keep your Ashkeeper in good condition for the long term.
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Ashley Fiona Ashkeepers & Ceramics creations are all made from porcelain, fired to approximately 1200°C. Firing to such extreme temperatures creates a material that is very strong and completely vitrified (non porous – does not absorb water).
The glazes/sealants I use are food safe and lead free.
Avoid contact with staining foods and greased hands on unglazed exterior surfaces.
Ashkeepers are bespoke pieces and are made with patience, precision and love so please treat them with care. Click here to read more about Porcelain Care
Ashley Fiona Ashkeepers & Ceramics are handmade
As my pieces are handmade and handpainted, they contain some form of imperfection and variation (in terms of colour and size) which are in no way faulty. My creations do not have manufactured exactness. Items have been photographed under natural lighting. Please be aware that the actual colour of my pieces will vary slightly from the digital image represented on screen.
Copyright
All the materials – website content, graphics, images, software and text - belong to Ashley Fiona (unless stated otherwise) and Ashley Fiona reserves all the rights of their use. Without my consent or permission, no one is allowed to redistribute or reproduce any of the material on this website.
Resources
Websites
Digital Death (and how to handle it)
Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement
Books
The Intimacy of Death and Dying by Claire Leimbach, Trypheyna McShane and Zenith Virago
Dying to Know, bringing death to life by Andrew Anastasios
Being with Dying, cultivating compassion and fearlessness in the presence of death by Joan Halifax
On Life After Death by Elizabeth Kübler-Ross
The End: The Human Experience of Death by Bianca Nograd
Midwifing Death, Returning to the Arms of the Ancient Mother by Leslene della-Madre
The Death Talker by Molly Carlile
It’s OK That You’re Not OK by Megan Devine