Ancestor Candles with Ash

I’m about to make some candles for myself and my brother, using the cremated remains of our parents. I was doing some research, but there’s not a lot out there on the topic. The purpose of these is to focus the communications we each have with our respective parents. It would be respectful, personal, connective and loving in their use.

I’m a follower of a certain path of witchcraft, as opposed to Wicca (not a judgement, just a clarification) so stuff I’ve read berating this idea doesn’t really resonate with me. I don’t think using ashes is inherently disrespectful, it’s not being used for spell work, and I’m not celebrating death (though I feel both sides of anything needs to be recognized).

Does anyone have any experience with this? Are there things I should keep in mind? I’d like to have these ready to go for Samhain, but if I need to wait for better timing or something similar, I’m open to suggestions.

Thank you.

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Your idea of using a bit of your mothers and fathers ashes in candles to honor them is fantastic. I do know of friends that have put their husbands ashes into new foundations and in special places in and around their property.

Maybe if you put your loving thought of them into the candles as you create them and finish the candle with a nice last dip into a colored wax to "wrap" them. Your respect and love of them will probably make these candles very powerful. Will and good meanings go so much further then anything else.

I think that if you added an herb or something that would define your parents in their candles, it might give more positive or meaningful feelings to the candles when you burn them. I would put an herb or perhaps a flower in with the candles that have meaning for your parents and you.

So I made the two for my dad, and after a slew of rookie candle-making mistakes, I could just FEEL him laughing at me. Cynical and amused... Laugh it up Dad, I’ll guve you a proper earful when I light this puppy up!