Everything you might want to know about ordering a handmade Farbe Ceramics keepsake. Still have a question? Message us anytime.
Getting Started: Bespoke & Handmade
Can I customise my urn based on my pet?
Yes. Everything is completely bespoke, so we can modify and add custom elements to make it uniquely yours. The design inspirations you see are just starting points.
Are your pet urns handmade?
Yes, genuinely handmade, never mass-produced. Every Farbe Ceramics urn is hand-thrown on the wheel, trimmed, bisque-fired, hand-painted, and high-fired, one piece at a time. Because each urn is made and painted by hand to look like your pet, no two are ever exactly alike.
How does a custom urn work?
The quick answer: every urn we make is bespoke to your loved companion. We hand-paint it based on your companion's photos, and add other design elements based on your preferences.
In more detail, there are three ways to order:
(a) An existing shape and size from our catalogue. Use the custom design tool on the product page to choose the shape you want, the design (flowers, gold celestial design, or no design at all), and the personalisation (name, date, text). You can move these elements around on the tool to decide their placement, choose whether the eyes are painted open or closed, and choose whether to include front legs, paws, and tail. Then send us the photos of your beloved companion, and we'll paint based on your photos and custom requirements.
(b) Our shape, a custom size. If you like one of our shapes but want a different size, simply choose "Custom size" and email us at tammy@farbeceramics.com with the size you'd like. Tell us the weight of your loved companion and we'll help you work out the most suitable size.
(c) A completely unique shape. Email us at tammy@farbeceramics.com and we'll design it together. You tell us your envisaged shape, along with photos of your companion and the pose you'd like (a photo reference helps). From there: we create a mock-up to agree the overall pose (about 3 days, including your confirmation), begin 3D modelling (about 3 days, including your confirmation), hand-make a new mould for you (heavy work, around 7 days), let the mould dry (5 to 7 days), do the clay work (about 7 days including drying), and first-fire the piece to make the shape solid. Painting then takes 3 to 5 days, after which we share it with you for review and any adjustments before the final firing. If you'd like gold applied, a third and final firing is needed. That's why a fully bespoke shape takes 6 to 10 weeks, but don't worry, you won't need to remember any of this: we guide you through every step. All we ask is that you work with us and have a little patience, and our customers tell us the process has been really easy for them (see our reviews).
What do you need from me to start a custom urn?
We ask for clear photos of your pet. To help me capture their likeness as closely as possible, could you please send:
- Photos showing the front, both sides, and back
- Close-ups of any special markings or features you'd like me to include
Please also include their name and dates, and any colour or pattern preferences. I'll share a painted draft with you in a few weeks for approval before the final firing, so you'll have the opportunity to request any adjustments.
Designs, Photos & Personalisation
Can I add my pet's name, dates, or a quote?
Yes. We can hand-add your pet's name, dates, and a quote or short message, and match the colours, patterns, and details to your pet. Just tell us what you'd like included.
Can you add a paw print, collar, favourite toy, or flowers to the urn?
Yes. We can hand-paint personal details onto the urn, such as a paw print, their collar or name tag, a favourite toy, or the flowers and plants your pet loved. We can also add meaningful memorial touches such as a rainbow bridge, angel wings and a halo, butterflies, stars, hearts, or a short quote like "Until we meet again." Because everything is hand-painted, we can paint almost anything that reminds you of your companion, just choose a Fully Bespoke design and email your photos and ideas to tammy@farbeceramics.com. We also reach out proactively after you place your order to plan every detail together. Our urns are generously sized (about 18 cm tall), so you can place the sealed bag of ashes inside along with small keepsakes your companion loved.
Do you offer rainbow bridge, angel wings, or butterfly urn designs?
Yes. Alongside your pet's hand-painted portrait, we can paint a range of memorial designs, including a rainbow bridge, angel wings and a halo, butterflies, celestial gold and stars, hearts, and floral patterns, or no added design at all, just your pet. Every design is hand-painted and can be combined with a name, dates, or a quote. If you have a design in mind that isn't listed, we can almost certainly paint it too, just email tammy@farbeceramics.com.
Can you paint my pet from a photo, and how accurate is it?
Yes. We hand-paint each urn from the photos you send, matching your pet's coat colour, markings, and features as closely as possible. The key is that I'll work to capture the spirit and essence of their appearance as faithfully as I can, and clear, well-lit photos from a few angles give the best result.
What if I only have a few photos of my pet?
That's completely fine, even one or two clear photos are usually enough for us to capture your pet's colours and markings. And if the photos aren't enough, just give us your description and we'll do our best to implement your vision and your memory of your beloved companion.
Will I get to approve the design before you make it?
I'll share a painted draft with you in a few weeks for approval before the final firing, so you'll have the opportunity to request any adjustments.
Urn Types, Shapes & Sizes
Do you make cat-shaped, dog-shaped, or rabbit-shaped urns?
Yes. Farbe Ceramics makes figurine and shaped urns including cat-shaped, dog-shaped, rabbit-shaped, sleeping cat, and Maneki Neko lucky cat designs, each hand-painted to match your pet's colours and markings. We also make pet-portrait urns, 2D flask urns, pillow urns, and fully bespoke sculptures.
Do you make urns for rabbits, hamsters, and other small pets?
Yes. Alongside cats and dogs, we make hand-painted memorial urns for rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, ferrets, birds, and other small pets. Each one is painted to match your little companion's colours and markings, and we offer smaller keepsake sizes suited to small pets, just tell us your pet's weight and we'll recommend the right size.
Do you make human urns or matching keepsakes?
Yes. We make hand-painted human urns in sizes from mini keepsake to full size, and we can create matching keepsakes so several family members can each keep a piece, or a coordinating set alongside your pet's urn.
Can I order a keepsake for more than one pet?
Yes. Our Pet Portrait Urn supports 1, 2, or 3 pets on a single piece, and we can design bespoke urns that honour multiple pets together.
Can you create a completely custom or unique urn shape?
Yes. Beyond the shapes in our catalogue, we can sculpt almost any form you envisage. Tammy began as a ceramic sculptor before moving into hand-painting, so bespoke shapes are one of our specialities. Email tammy@farbeceramics.com with your idea and photos and we'll design it together. Because hand-sculpting a new shape and mould is complex and labour-intensive, fully bespoke shapes are priced higher and take about 8 to 10 weeks.
What sizes of pet urn do you offer?
Our urns come in Extra Small, Small, Medium, and Large, plus a Custom option. Figurine and shaped urns have their own dimensions, human urns range from mini keepsakes to full size, and fully bespoke sculptures come in 1:2, 1:1.5, and life-size. Each product page lists its exact size options.
What size urn do I need for my pet's weight?
As a general rule, you need about 1 cubic inch of urn capacity for every 1 lb (0.45 kg) of your pet's body weight, so a 20 lb (9 kg) dog needs roughly a 20 cubic inch urn. Each product page lists the capacity of every size, and we're happy to recommend the right one if you send us your pet's weight.
Pricing, Timeline & Payment
How much does a custom hand-painted pet urn cost?
Most Farbe Ceramics hand-painted pet and human urns range from $220 to $360, depending on size, number of pets, and design complexity. Shaped urns run $260 to $450, and fully bespoke sculptures range from $799 to $1,199. Every piece is made to order and includes personalisation.
How long does a custom urn take to make?
Urns made in one of the existing shapes from our product catalogue take about 6 to 8 weeks from the day you approve the final design. Fully custom shapes take 8 to 10 weeks, because they require 3D modelling and a bespoke mould before painting and firing. Every Farbe Ceramics piece is hand made, so timelines are longer than mass-produced urns, but you'll approve a draft for any adjustment you'd like to make before we fire it to make it permanent.
Do you offer rush orders?
Yes, rush orders are possible for a $50 surcharge. Because each piece is real hand-made ceramic that must be shaped, fired, hand-painted, and fired again, the fastest we can complete an urn is about 3 weeks.
Do you offer payment plans or installments?
Yes. Customers in the US, UK, Australia, and other eligible countries can split their purchase into interest-free installments using PayPal Pay Later at checkout, just choose PayPal and select the Pay Later option.
Can I order or plan an urn before my pet has passed away?
Yes, and we completely understand wanting to be prepared. We're glad to begin planning and creating your urn in advance so it's ready when the time comes.
Your Pet's Ashes
How much ash is left after a pet is cremated?
A pet's cremated remains weigh roughly 3 to 5 percent of their body weight, about 1 cubic inch of ash for every 1 lb (0.45 kg). A 20 lb (9 kg) dog produces around 20 cubic inches of ash. This is why we help you match your urn size to your pet's weight before ordering.
What do people do with their pet's ashes?
Common choices are keeping ashes at home in a decorative urn, dividing them into smaller keepsakes for family members, or displaying them beside a photo. Many Farbe Ceramics customers choose an urn hand-painted to look like their pet, so the piece feels personal and warm rather than clinical.
Is it okay to keep my pet's ashes at home?
Absolutely. Keeping your pet's ashes at home in a memorial urn is one of the most common and comforting ways to grieve and remember them. A hand-painted urn lets you keep your companion close in a way that feels warm and personal.
How do I put my pet's ashes into the urn?
Most pet crematoriums return ashes in a sealed bag that fits straight inside the urn. There's about a 4 cm opening at the bottom of the urn, sealed with a rubber topper, you simply place the bag of ashes inside and close it with the topper.
Materials, Safety & Care
What is the best material for a pet urn?
Ceramic is prized for pet urns because it's durable, non-porous, holds fine hand-painted detail, and keeps its colour for decades without fading or corroding the way some metals and woods can. Every Farbe Ceramics urn is high-fired ceramic, hand-thrown and hand-painted for a one-of-a-kind finish.
Are the urns sealed, secure, and safe to display indoors?
Yes. Our urns are high-fired ceramic with secure, well-fitted closures, plus sealing options and felted bases on request. They are finished to be displayed safely indoors and should be kept out of direct impact or heat.
Can the urn be kept outdoors or buried in a garden?
We recommend keeping your urn indoors. The ceramic itself is fully waterproof, but the ashes are sealed with a rubber topper that, while also water-resistant, isn't as durable as the ceramic over time in outdoor conditions. Kept indoors, your urn will stay beautiful for many years.
How do I care for my ceramic keepsake?
Wipe gently with a soft cloth and display out of direct impact or heat. The high-fired ceramic is durable and doesn't need special maintenance, it will last a lifetime, as long as you don't break it.
Shipping, Customs & Returns
Do you ship internationally, and is it safe to order from overseas?
Yes. We ship worldwide with careful, protective packing, and we replace any item that arrives damaged. Ordering from overseas is safe and simple, and our Etsy shop is rated 5.0 stars from 180+ reviews, with 650+ orders delivered around the world.
Do you ship to the US, UK, Australia, and Canada?
Yes, we ship to the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and across Europe, as well as the rest of the world. All duties and taxes are included in your price (DDP), so there are no surprise customs charges when your order arrives.
Will I pay customs or import taxes?
No. We ship on a DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) basis, which means all customs duties, taxes, and shipping are already included in the price you pay. There are no extra charges for you when your order arrives.
What is your return and cancellation policy?
Because each piece is custom and made to order, urns cannot be returned. Cancellations are accepted within 24 hours, before design work begins. Items damaged in transit are replaced.
Gifts & Reviews
Can I send a Farbe Ceramics urn as a gift?
Yes, a hand-painted urn can be a deeply meaningful sympathy gift for someone who has lost a pet. Let us know it's a gift and we'll pack it thoughtfully.
Can I see examples of your work?
Yes. You can browse our shop and our Etsy reviews (5.0 stars from 180+ reviews and 650+ orders delivered), and we're happy to share examples of past commissions similar to what you have in mind.