Unspoken Words: Personalized 3D Printed Ash Urns

A Last Message, Forever Preserved

When faced with the pain and sadness of losing someone dear, we often find ourselves with unanswered questions and a void that seems impossible to fill. The words left unspoken, the feelings left unexpressed, and the promises left unfulfilled can weigh heavily on our hearts. It is in these moments that Unspoken Words finds its purpose.

Debruijne, inspired by a personal experience, set out to create a range of personalized urns that would capture the power of these unspoken words. The design process began in 2001, but it wasn't until 2014 that the production of these urns truly came to life with the advent of 3D printing technology.

What sets Unspoken Words apart from traditional urns is its use of 3D printing. The classic creation process for personalized urns often involves a great deal of manual labor, resulting in a longer delivery period. However, with 3D printing, the urns can be produced in a fraction of the time, allowing them to be used during the funeral ceremony itself.

The 3D printing process ensures that every detail of the original work of art is precisely processed in the computer drawing. The material used is the same as the original, both in terms of touch and appearance. The final "printed" result is a unique, personal, and contemporary work of art that is virtually indistinguishable from a hand-made model.

The process begins with the funeral expert asking the family or friends to send a text, poem, or story, along with a high-resolution picture. These files are then entered into the 3D printing software, and a screendump is sent to the family for approval. Once approved, the printing process begins, taking anywhere from 8 to 15 hours depending on the height of the urn. The ashes are then placed inside the urn, which is sealed with special glue, and it is ready to be used in the ceremony or handed over to the family.

The Unspoken Words collection offers a range of sizes to accommodate different needs. From the loss XL with a diameter of 165mm and a height of 200mm, to the loss S with a diameter of 96mm and a height of 56mm, there is an urn to suit every individual.

Unspoken Words made its debut at the Funaral@work exhibition in Leuven, Belgium in February 2014. Since then, these personalized 3D printed ash urns have gained recognition and acclaim, receiving the prestigious Silver A' Design Award in 2014. This award recognizes the outstanding expertise and innovation demonstrated by the design, as well as its strong technical characteristics and artistic skill.

Unspoken Words is not just a design, but a lasting and personal way to remember those who have meant so much to us. It allows us to give voice to the unspoken, to express our love and gratitude, and to find solace in knowing that our words will be forever preserved.