HereInSpirit is a small company that makes unique and personal cremation urns. We are based in West Wales in the United Kingdom.
We hope that our idea of incorporating a small amount of the cremated ash from someone you love into a cremation urn will strike a chord with you.
The company comprises two partners: Neil Richardson and Peter Coates. Neil and Peter met in the summer of 2005 and immediately developed a keen rapport. They share a profound interest in the culture of Japan, where Peter lived for many years whilst studying the koto, a traditional thirteen-stringed instrument, of which he is one of Europe's leading proponents.
Neil and Peter's decision to create Here In Spirit developed over the course of 2005. Peter designed and built the website which was launched in the spring of 2006.
Here In Spirit is receiving considerable attention from the media and has already been featured in a number of newspapers, on several BBC radio stations as well as the BBC website see the article.
We are very aware that Here In Spirit is dealing with something very close to your heart, and that if you choose one of our unique urns, then you will want to know that your loved one's ashes will be treated with every care and respect.
You will also want to know that your urn has been made with love and good faith
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Raku is an ancient technique of glazing developed in East Asia during the 15th century. Neil Richardson has been a student and teacher of Raku for many years and each piece of ceramic art that he creates is completely unique.
In his early years Neil displayed a natural talent for pottery and has in recent years developed his technique and focussed primarily on the medium of Raku. He enjoys the spontaneous and spiritual effects that Raku achieves.
• First the ashes are carefully mixed with the base glaze, then brushed onto the vessel.
• The vessel is then individually fired.
• Whilst still red hot, it is removed from the kiln and placed on a bed of either oak or ash chippings (please tell let us know if you have any other preference).
• The vessel is then covered and allowed to fume.
• After fifteen minutes it is uncovered and the vessel is allowed to cool and carefully brushed free of all wood deposits.
• During the process, the colours and patterns are created in a completely random fashion, due to the addition of the ash to the base glaze and the unique conditions under which each piece is fired.
