Questions & Answers
Please read…
Our Hearts, Rounds, Starfish and NEW Paw Print Memorials each weigh about 14-16oz. and are solid glass. They all fit comfortably in the palm of an adult sized hand with the Round being just slightly smaller than a tennis ball.
Each has a flat spot on the bottom ( or back ) where our Artists have removed the Memorial from the rod after creation. This flat spot is where we stamp your personal ID mark into the glass while it is hot and etch a short sentiment and/or symbol if you choose to add that extra special personal touch.
The swirl of fluffy white you see in the Memorial pictures are the actual Ashes. Every pet's ( and person’s ) Ashes react and spread differently, giving your Loved Ones the final say in the appearance of their completed Memorial.
The terms "Gold" and "Silver" are used in the color descriptions but they are not actual colors. They are the terms we use for the dichroic "Sparkle" effect in each piece. While the "Silver" is quite silver... the "Gold" can also reflect as a multicolored Rainbow effect. Please understand that if you order a color combination that contains "Gold" you may get a fair amount of bluish/green as well.
The Pendants are approximately 1 3/8" tall x 1 1/4" wide and they are available in solid colors (No Patriot Blue or Red) Sadly we can’t mix colors but any single color is OK. There is no etching available for the Pendants as they do not have a distinctive front or back.
One more IMPORTANT thing to note: You will also be responsible for the actual shipping costs. It is required by law that Cremated Remains must be shipped via the USPS Express Mail with Signature Required. This is how we will ship your Memorials back home to you so please provide us a shipping address that will have someone that can sign. Thank-you for taking the time to read this and hugs for your loss. Erin & Rich
How do I place my order
If you know what you’d like, simply email us at rainbowbridgehearts@gmail.com to request a FREE ashes collection kit.
Kindly include:
Your full name and shipping address.
The name of your dearly departed along with a few photos if possible; we love to put beautiful faces to our creations and get to know your loved ones better.
What shape and colors you feel represents your loved one best along with your choice of our Silver or Rainbow Gold Dichroic glass sparkles.
Add the optional items as desired ( stands, lighted bases and gift certificates )
If you haven’t decided yet, feel free to email us with your thoughts or ideas and we’ll be happy to work with you to help create the perfect memorial for you to cherish always.
What’s an ashes collection kit:
The Ashes Collection Kit contains your Personalized Order Form, complete with your Memorial options as well as an "Authorization to Infuse" pledge which promises that all steps have been taken to ensure that your pet is yours as well as gives us permission to use the ashes of your loved one.
The "Kit" also contains a protective box, metal tin, ziploc pouch and pre-measured scoop for obtaining just the right amount of "fine" Ashes that we'll need to complete your treasure.
Finally, the kit includes a Special "Signature Required" Padded Express Mail Envelope with a "Cremated Remains" Sticker which promises extra special care by the US Postal Service.
Prior to returning your kit to us simply review the information on the forms for accuracy (sign as needed), lovingly place your Ashes in the ziploc, then into the Tin and put everything back inside the Express Mail Envelope, using a box inside the envelope is highly recommended for safer travels.
Remember to place your Check or Credit Card payment request on the Order form as directed as well as your complimentary etching request.
Once all these important details have been finalized take your precious package to the Post Office where they will give you a receipt with your tracking # so you can keep your peepers on your loved ones travels to us.
We will let you know when we have your dearly departed safely in our paws along with when their special creation day will be.
How much Ashes do I need to send
We ask that you send us 1 Tablespoon of the Finest Ashes you can get for Each Memorial you request. So..two Memorials need 2 Tbsp, 3 Memorials need 3 Tbsp ....etc
We'll send you a special pre measured Ashes scoop included in your Ashes collection kit.
We don't use all of the Ashes you send us but we need a little extra so we can sift them to allow them to spread nicely in the Memorial. We return any unused Ashes with your completed Memorial unless you request that we not return the extra Ashes.
SPECIAL NOTE: If you don't have your Ashes back yet from the Cremation Facility or your Vet, or you simply don’t feel comfortable removing the Ashes or opening the Urn, please request they separate the 1 Tablespoon of Fine Ashes into a Ziploc pouch for you. They are happy to do this at no charge and doing this yourself at home can be very difficult from an emotional standpoint.
Can we choose any colors we want and how many colors can be added
You may combine up to any 3 colors from our selections in your Memorial. If you don’t see your colors on the portfolio or catalog page, please ask if they are available. We are happy to work with you to get the colors you’d like but please be aware that not all colors are available and many colors simply don’t play nice when melted together. If you have a particular combination in mind, please ask if we can send you a picture of that combination.
What are the optional pieces and do I want or need them
The "Optional Pieces" are items that are in addition to the price of the Memorial. Here is a simple breakdown of the Optional Pieces by the shape of Memorial you choose:
If you choose a HEART, STARFISH or PAW PRINT the Options are: A clear Plexi stand that will allow your Memorial to stand upright ( $4.45 ) and an L.E.D. Lighted Base ( $15 ) that your Memorial can sit on and be illuminated at night. (Plexi stand required for use with the lighted base)
If you choose a ROUND, because it has a flat spot on the bottom and can stand on it's own, the only Option is the L.E.D. Lighted base. ( $15 )
The L.E.D. Lighted base has an ON/OFF switch and can be powered by one of THREE ways. You can use 3AAA batteries, ( NOT INCLUDED ) you can plug it into the wall outlet ( it has a 4-5ft long power cord ) or you can use a USB port on your computer or laptop. The Base itself is about the size of a Hockey Puck and is black with a mirrored top.
Do you want or need them? That is totally up to you but, we do recommend the Stands to display the Hearts, Starfish and Paw Print in a standing position. As for the Lighted Bases, they really help make the Memorial come alive especially at night when you may be missing your loved one the most.
Do you also create memorials for our human dearly departed
Yes! We lovingly create the same amazing works of art for our two legged friends and family members .
If you would like to have us create Human Memorials for you, we’d be honored to do so right here at Rainbow Bridge Hearts. All our Solid Glass memorials use the same careful, caring and consistent creation procedures for both.
We can also combine both People and Pets together into a Memorial for you if so desired.
Once you've worked with us here at Rainbow Bridge Hearts you've become part of our Family and it’s most important to us that you continue to have the same trusting experience for any of your Memorial needs.
SPECIAL NOTE: If you decide to proceed with ordering a memorial we suggest you contact your Cremation Facility or Vet and ask them to lovingly separate the 1 Tablespoon of Fine Ashes for EACH Memorial into a Ziploc pouch for you. They are generally happy to do this at no charge and trust me when I say this is a very difficult part of the process and trying to do this yourself at home can be very difficult from an emotional standpoint.
Can we combine ashes from more than one pet into a single memorial
Yes! We'd be honored to have your babies created in a memorial together forever with no extra charge for this special service. We understand that many of our Families have lost many pets over the years and we offer this service so that they can be remembered always. We still require a Tablespoon of "Combined" Ashes for each memorial you would like us to create. Just remember, if you'll want an inscription, there's not much room for everyone so initials or other short sentiment may be required.
Do you ship to other contries
Yes, if your country allows the shipment of Pet Ashes by Mail. We have created art works for clients in Australia, Canada, Germany, China and others however, these laws change much more often than you’d think so please let us know or, even better yet, simply visit your local post office and ask them if you can send and recieve cremated Pet remains. Please contact us by email and I'll let you know the current information for your Country. US Federal law does not allow us to send Ashes by ANY other means of transportation. ie: NO FEDEX, UPS , DHL etc...we can only ship by the US Postal Service Express Mail with signature required. Clients are responsible for the shipping costs and duties for both directions on all International orders. PLEASE include a copy of the Death Certificate or Cremation Certificate with all International orders, for customs.
Do you engrave the memorials and what does that cost
Yes ! There is a flat spot on the reverse of each Memorial where the Glass has been separated from the rod after creation. This is where we place your individual identification mark. There is enough room for our inscription artist to engrave ONE, TWO or sometimes THREE short words. There is NO charge for this and it is done with love by hand and in cursive. We can also engrave some symbols so please ask first.
What are the costs
The price for either a Heart, Round or Starfish Memorial is $185 plus shipping. Each Memorial added after the first one will be only $155. The price for a Pendant is $195 plus shipping.
There is a spot on the order form for you to either attach your payment by check or note that you would like me to email you an Invoice for Credit Card Payment. If you choose to pay by Credit Card, we will send a seperate email where you simply click on the link that says "View and Pay"
I accept and prefer Checks or Postal Money Orders payable to: Rainbow Bridge Hearts which you can return with your collection kit.
I also accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card and American Express. (sadly no Pay Pal)
Our practice is to cash checks or request payment for charge cards a few days before your Memorial has been created. If you'd rather we take the payment right away, please let us know and we’ll email you your online invoice.
How long does the process take
Currently we are looking at about 4-6 weeks from the day we receive the Collection kit back from you. It may take slightly longer for Pendants, depending on the timing. All Memorials are created on a First Kit Returned basis to be completely fair to everyone. Please remembered that each of the Memorials are lovingly created by hand by our team of compassionate and highly skilled artists. They are limited in the number they can create and the full creation process itself takes 5 days to complete. We are currently creating over 300 Memorials per month and I can't thank you all enough for your patience and understanding during the process.
If we don’t have ashes, can we use hair or name tags etc…
Sadly, no. We realize that many clients have chosen burial for their loved ones and have kept some of the Hair as a keepsake. This Hair will simply vaporize when we touch it to the 2300 degree molten glass used in our Creation Process. Our creation process does not allow us to include any foreign objects other than Ashes in our Memorials.
We can and do create Memorials without using Ashes. The loving process and costs are the same and complimentary inscriptions are also available.
What makes the sparkle
The "Sparkle" effect is created by the addition of two shades of Dichroic Glass. We add the Dichroic by default to each Memorial unless you request us not to. The two shades we've chosen are "Gold" which reflects in a Gold, Blue, Green color depending on the lighting, and Silver which reflects primarily with a Silver or "rainbow" effect. We've chosen which Dichroic looks best with our color options but we also understand that you may want the "other" color or NO Dichroic at all and we'll do our very best to create your Memorial just the way you'd like it.
Can we watch the process in person or on the web
We'd love to have you share in the viewing of your creation being made by our team! Our Studios are located on Whidbey Island and all of our viewings are informal.
Due to time restrictions and so that we can allow you the time you need to video your creation, we only do viewing creations every other Friday between 10 AM and noon and by appointment only. Viewings fill up quickly and are extremely limited in number. so please plan ahead.
Feel free to bring your camera or cell phone and be sure your battery is charged :) We are not available to take pictures or shoot video for you. Everyone is busy and each plays a vital role in the process. Thank-you for understanding.
The actual viewing process itself takes about 15 minutes but you should plan on being at the studio for about an hour or so as we do’nt rush any of the viewings.
Please know that you are welcome to bring your Ashes with you on creation day and I will separate and sift them for you just prior to creation. I will need to know the Colors, Shape and number of Memorials you'd like prior to the date; along with any etching request.
Finally, you will NOT be able to take your Memorials home with you on creation day. It takes about a week before they have completed our quality control process.
If you'd like to set up a viewing appointment, please email me ( RainbowBridgeHearts@gmail.com ) and we'll get things set up
What if we chose aquamation instead of cremation
The process of Aquamation will not make a difference in the final results of your Memorial. Both Aquamation and Cremation work well using our process.
Did we miss anything?
please email us with any questions we missed. we’re happy to help make this the easiest process ever. rainbowbridgehearts@gmail.com