Pet Cremation Box

If you are a pet lover, like myself, your pet is very near and dear to your heart. But what happens after your pet has died?

My brother-in-law, who knows I love to work with wood, requested a cremation box for the ashes of his beloved pet, Petie. I was very touched that he wanted to save the ashes of Petie and that he asked me to do the box.

This project is so easy there is not a need for a step by step for this project because it was just that simple. Of course you can elaborate as much as you desire.

Materials used:

1 square wooden cigar box
220 sandpaper (or a sander with 220 sandpaper)
wood stain
varnish
Black Sharpie Permanent Marker
Black enamel paint
Small artist paint brush

I chose a wooden Acid Cigar Box because it is 8" x 8" x 6" and solid wood (cost $4.00). I removed the labels with a sander. Then I stained the sanded wood. Next I stenciled Petie's name on the lid along with the year of his birth and death. Then I painted a dog print on the front of the box (one medium sized circle with four smaller circles arranged above the medium circle).

Last I put a couple of coats of varnish. To do this, I recommend letting the 1st coat dry completely; lightly sand the surface; remove all dust and re-varnish. Be careful not to sand too hard or you will start removing your stencil work. Just a very light sanding so the next coat of varnish will adhere properly.

Brother-in-law was thrilled with the end results.