Justin Crowe, Founder of Parting Stone
Justin Crowe is an entrepreneur passionate about reimagining death care by creating positive, tangible experiences for families navigating loss. He founded Parting Stone in 2019, and the company was featured on Season 14 of Shark Tank for its innovative new form of human and pet remains.
By the time we reach our later years, many of us carry not just memories—but the ashes—of people and pets we’ve loved and lost. Sometimes they sit on a shelf. Other times, they’re tucked into the back of a closet or stored away in a garage. But here’s a little-known truth: this isn’t a storage problem—it’s a grief problem.
More than 75 million Americans live with cremated remains in their homes, often unsure of what to do with them. For many, disposing of the ashes feels too painful, but keeping them visible at home feels too awkward. One woman, overwhelmed by the anxiety of catching a glimpse of the ash, left her husband’s remains in the trunk of her car for 10 years. Her story is not uncommon.
A growing number of families are now discovering a new approach—one that transforms cremated remains into a tool for healing. It’s a 100% alternative to ashes called solidified remains.
Instead of leaving ashes untouched, this process converts them into a collection of smooth, stone-like objects. Each one is unique, touchable, and shareable—providing families with a way to hold, carry, display, or scatter remains without the discomfort or fear that often comes with traditional ashes.
But this innovation isn’t just about form—it’s about function. These stones are helping people actively engage with their grief, not just endure it.
Cindy, a widow from Colorado, described the transformation this way: “The grief was overwhelming. But when the stones arrived, I found something I didn’t expect—hope. Holding them gave me a connection to Steve that felt healing.”
Other families are using the stones to create powerful rituals. One woman took her late husband’s stones around the world—leaving them in Italy, Egypt, Hawaii, and beyond—as a tribute to his love of adventure. Another mother involved her young children in a waterfall ceremony using their grandfather’s stones, turning a moment of mourning into one of shared meaning and remembrance.
These stories show how solidified remains are more than an alternative to ashes. They’re a bridge between loss and healing, allowing families to reconnect, remember, and ritualize in ways that feel natural and even joyful.
As one grieving daughter put it: “For the first time since he died, I felt like my dad could be part of our lives again—not hidden away.”
If you’re one of the many SaddleBrooke residents keeping ashes at home, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to leave your grief behind in a closet. There’s a new way to hold your loved one close—and take them with you into the next chapter.
Visit partingstone.com to learn more about the grief journey experience and how to begin.