Your loss is personal and your person was beautiful

I’m Alexis Haselberger, the human behind Anima Ceramica Studio.

And in 2025, I lost my dad to terminal brain cancer. It was devastating. My mom, sister and I decided to split up his ashes, so we could all have a little of him, and we also sprinkled some of him on his beloved bamboo groves around his house.

But, what to do with the ashes we kept?

None of us wanted a huge, traditional alter style urn, because that didn’t represent him and it didn’t fit the feel of our homes and design choices.

And my dad? Well, he had excellent taste and he would have rolled over in his grave (if he’d had one) if put him in something ugly.

And the commercially available urns on the market were, well, quite ugly.

So, I knew what I had to do! I needed to use my ceramics skills to make some bespoke urns, beautiful enough to honor my dad’s excellent design eye, and to fit in seamlessly in our homes.

And then I couldn’t get the idea out of my head: Why should we be the only family to get to honor our dad with a beautiful object?

Answer: we shouldn’t.

And so I started Anima Ceramica Studio, so that I could help other families honor their loved ones, with vessels as unique and beautiful as they were.

I keep nothing in stock, I make each vessel for the person it will contain and the home in which it will live. And it starts with a call so that I can learn more about how you want to honor your loved one.

Got a question?

I’m here to answer it. Fill out the form and I’ll be in touch soon.

Your Questions, Answered

  • Never. I make vessels only.

    Your funeral home or crematory transfers the remains, or you can, with the simple instructions I include.

    Under federal rules, funeral providers cannot charge you for placing remains in an urn you bought elsewhere.

  • Six to eight weeks from approved design, and I’ll tell you honestly if my queue is longer. Clay can’t be rushed; it cracks.

  • It won’t be because of the packing; every piece packed securely, and I test my method by shipping pieces across the country.

    But if the worst happens, photograph everything within 48 hours and I remake the piece or refund you in full, your choice. Every shipment is fully insured.

  • Shipping within the continental US is included in the price.

    I can ship elsewhere, but I’ll send you a separate invoice for the shipping, and you’ll be responsible for any customs and duties.

  • Urns for human remains are $2,500 + tax.

    Urns for pet remains are $1,500 + tax.

    Sets of urns will be quoted based on the number of urns in the set and how many different styles are requested.

  • All sales are final. No refunds, returns, or exchanges are offered on commissioned pieces.

    Because every piece is custom made to your specifications and cannot be resold, I am unable to accept returns or issue refunds once a commission is underway.

    This policy does not apply to pieces that arrive damaged or that have a manufacturing defect.

    Click HERE for Full Terms and Conditions

Got a question I didn’t answer above?

Submit the form to ask and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.