Custom memorial paintings
Works with inclusion of funeral ashes
A funeral urn or gravestone evokes the deceased and their departure, but a painting goes beyond death. It captures the brilliance of their life, a glimmer in the eternal shadow.
A tribute to the cycle of life
I create contemporary iconographic paintings in bas-relief , with worked textures, in which I integrate funeral ashes . They occupy a central place in my creations and offer, as such, a comforting presence to those who remain. Each work is conceived as a place of memory , a sensitive presence which crosses mourning differently .
My artistic approach combines symbolism and memory through works where every detail is thought out to preserve a precious trace.
My paintings are designed with noble materials such as real gold or silver leaf, abalone mother-of-pearl and rare and precious pigments, which bring brilliance and depth, but what makes each creation unique is the presence of the funeral ashes themselves. They are the soul of the painting , an imprint that crosses time and preserves memory.
In each work, an imprint of light
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23 carat gold
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Real silver
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Abalone mother-of-pearl
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Rare and precious pigments
Works created on cherry wood panels in different formats to adapt to your space.
Certificate of artistic and genealogical authenticity
Pour honorer la mémoire de votre être cher et garantir l’authenticité de l’œuvre, un certificat signé par l’artiste est fourni. Il comprend les éléments biographiques de la personne représentée, ainsi que la description des matériaux précieux intégrés (or, argent, nacre, etc.), témoins de l’intention et de la sensibilité de la création.
An art of ashes and memory, in collaboration with a grief therapist
For families and individuals who wish it , therapeutic support is offered in collaboration with a specialized professional based in Quebec or elsewhere. Her or his support, offered as an option, allows for gentle guidance through the grieving process. She/He also intervenes prior to the creation of the painting from ashes, in order to ensure that each gesture, each stage of the work respects the sacred nature of the bond with the deceased, in accordance with the rites, wishes and instructions specific to each family.
Gold Medal
Clara Grouazel : Internationally renowned artist
How do I create my works from the ashes of the deceased?
A cinerary painting — between Humanity, Respect and Spirituality
Mon procédé pour peindre avec des cendres humaines
Each work is created with deep respect for the deceased , their memory and the love that unites them to their loved ones.
Creation follows a ritual that is both artistic and spiritual , designed to honor life and preserve the soul of memory.
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Preliminary consultation : Before any creation, a meeting is organized with the family or the person close to the deceased. According to their wishes, this consultation can also be done with the support of a specialized therapist . This exchange allows to collect the wishes of the deceased (if they were expressed before his departure) or those of the family, in order to respect as closely as possible the rites, traditions and personal wishes.
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Preparation of materials : I carefully select noble pigments, natural binders, mediums, and, if desired, precious materials (gold, mother-of-pearl, etc.) chosen to reflect the personality and history of the deceased. Each element is prepared in a calm and collected atmosphere.
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Incorporation of Ashes : The ashes are gently incorporated either into the mediums or directly into the painting. Each action is carried out with awareness, respecting the wishes expressed by the family, to preserve the sacred dimension of this unique bond.
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Creation of the work : The creative process takes place in a space marked by silence, gratitude, and contemplation. Each painting thus becomes a luminous bridge between memory, love, and eternity.
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Finishing and Protection : Once the work is completed, it is protected with carefully applied conservation varnishes, to honor and preserve the beauty of the painting and what it contains for many generations.
Guide to Personalize Your Memorial Artwork
The following guidelines are for reference only. The size of the artwork and the amount of ashes used may vary depending on the client’s wishes, the desired style of creation, and the emotional intensity sought.
Example of Memorial Artwork Format
24 × 24 inches (approximately 60 × 60 cm)
Quantité de cendres funéraires nécessaire
Between ½ cup and 1 cup of funeral ashes (approximately 125 ml to 250 ml), depending on the desired texture and density for the artwork.
Personal Items Integrated into the Artwork
It is also possible, upon request, to incorporate small locks of hair, jewelry, a wedding ring, or small symbolic objects to strengthen the emotional connection of the artwork.
Pour garder le souvenir d'une personne décédée qui vous est chère
It is about keeping the memory of a departed loved one alive and preserving the memory of your dear one through a work of light: an eternal reminder, a free and vibrant tribute.
Ordering Process for a Personalized Funeral Painting
Whether you are planning a funeral tribute before your departure or offering a final gift to a loved one after their death, the process of creating a work of art from human ashes is one of respect, memory, and love . Each step of this creation is carried out with careful attention to ensure a unique and sacred work that honors life, memory, and eternity.
Ante mortem order (during one's lifetime)
Preparation and consultation:
During this stage, the client decides to pre-order a funeral piece while still alive. A personalized interview is held to discuss the client's wishes regarding the piece, symbolism, colors, materials (such as gold, mother-of-pearl, etc.), as well as any specific rites or meanings they wish to convey. This process is carried out in a calm and respectful environment. The client may also choose to consult a therapist to assist them in this process.
Legal framework (optional):
To ensure that the wishes expressed are respected after death, it is possible to contact a funeral home/parlor/cooperative or a lawyer. The lawyer can record the wishes related to the work in an official document (will, mandate, or other), thus ensuring their proper implementation by the loved ones and the artist. This supervision reinforces the serenity of the process and provides legal security that is appreciated in sensitive situations.
Creation and conservation of the work:
Once the wishes are defined, the artist begins creating the work, which will be preserved until it is needed to be completed. At this stage, only a portion of the work is completed, awaiting the inclusion of the ashes at the time of death. The piece is then finalized after death, with the addition of the ashes and any other symbolic elements desired by the client. This process ensures that the work remains faithful to their wishes while incorporating the sacred and intimate aspect of the afterlife.
Post mortem order (after death)
Consultation with family or loved ones:
In this step, the family or loved ones of the deceased contact the artist after the death. They express their wishes regarding the work: what symbolic elements or rituals should be incorporated, what artistic style should predominate, and how the ashes should be treated. This consultation allows for the gathering of details about the personality and history of the deceased, in order to create a work that is a true tribute.
Sending ashes:
In Canada, sending funeral ashes by mail is legal. Some families choose to send them to the artist by secure mail, while others prefer to deliver them in person. Regardless of the method chosen, the transfer is carried out with respect for the wishes and all the sensitivity that this process entails.
Creation and customization of the work:
The artist begins creating the work based on the information gathered during the consultation. The deceased's ashes are incorporated into the work respectfully and according to the wishes of the loved ones. Once the painting is completed, it is protected and sent or hand-delivered to the family, along with its certificate of authenticity. This process transforms a mourning item into a lasting work of art that honors the memory of the deceased.
Une œuvre d’âme unique, entre mémoire et émotion
Each creation is unique, born from the meeting of the artist's style and sensitivity with the soul of the departed and/or the wishes of the client.
The work draws inspiration from the tastes, colors, textures, emotions, and surroundings cherished by the departed, without attempting to capture their appearance.
It radiates a living memory: a piece that expresses essence, memory, and love, far beyond the physical body.
Sophie L., Quebec
“When I entrusted some of my father’s ashes to Clara, I was afraid of what it would awaken in me. But what she created surpasses anything I had imagined. This painting is not only a work of art, it is a place of memory, peace, and light. I look at it every day with emotion, like a living link between him and me.”
Émilien D., Quebec
"After losing my sister, I was looking for something beautiful, something real, something that could connect me to her in a way other than absence. Clara was able to transform our grief into light. Her work is deeply human, sensitive, and respectful. This painting has become a refuge, a tribute, a presence."
Claire & Jules M., Quebec
“ We lost our little girl far too soon. Offering Clara some of her ashes was a difficult but instinctive decision. What she gave us back is a breath, a trace, a spark of her through color and material. The work she created is a delicate, gentle, and powerful tribute. We will be eternally grateful to her. ”