Testimonials

“It is my pleasure to recommend the work of Ann Bates which, in my experience, is excellent both technically and artistically.  Ann’s ceramic pieces are also imbued with a rare spiritual quality.”

LD, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

“Thank you Ann, for your kindness and empathy and for making this more than just the purchase of an object to hold my husband’s ashes.  When I looked at the urn I saw the work and the skill and the part of yourself that had gone into creating it.  You must have tremendous job satisfaction!”

Mrs JR, West Midlands

“We wanted to express our warmest appreciation of the immense care you took in realising the designs we commissioned, your only concern being to achieve the closest possible match to our vision in terms of design, colour and glaze, however much experimentation that might take.  We are delighted with the result and hope we can stay in touch.”

Mr and Mrs L, Nottingham

“I chose to commission Ann Bates to create an urn for my late wife’s ashes because I was dissatisfied with the impersonal and uninspiring offerings elsewhere. Initially attracted by the examples on her website, the resulting urn has far exceeded my expectations. It truly captures my wife’s spirit and is a wonderful and unique monument to her. Ann involved me in each stage of the design, eliciting my views but then transforming my basic ideas into a sensitive and beautiful work of art. The interactive process of development, as well as the urn itself, have helped me personally in coming to some closure on my grief.”

Mr PG, Scotland

“Working with Ann has been a real pleasure.  Planning for end-of-life can be difficult.  Working with someone who is kind, conscientious and thoroughly talented is a blessing.  The urn Ann created for me is beautiful and an expression of my passionate love of family, friends, and life!  Thank you Ann!”

LVL, Ohio, USA

“Several years ago my wife and I made the decision to have our ashes interred in the newly constructed Long Barrow at All Cannings in Wiltshire – the first such structure since Neolithic times. When my wife died very unexpectedly in 2018 I requested an urn that would both honour her memory and, being practical, survive underground for millennia. Ann’s solution was elegant but robust and exactly suited my requirements. I was so impressed that I have subsequently ordered another for myself.”

Mr GL, Berkshire

“Ann’s empathy and understanding made working closely with her on the design for the urn for my brother’s ashes a positive and uplifting experience. She sent me photos of every stage of the creative process for my information and approval and so I felt fully involved throughout. The finished urn is a fine piece of art work – both pleasing on the eye and structurally sound. The care and thought behind Ann’s hand-made urn makes it so more meaningful than a standard product and it is eminently fitting for my brother’s final resting place in the Neolithic-style Long Barrow in Wiltshire.”

HS, Devon

“Ann was extremely helpful and sent photos at every stage when designing and making the urn; it helped us feel involved in the creative process. Thank you Ann, for making such a beautiful object to honour my father.”

MH, Scotland

“I commissioned this piece for my funerary urn which is intended to rest in the All Cannings Long Barrow in Wiltshire. I wanted the design to reflect the Neolithic nature of the piece with its spirals and textures. Ann has done a fantastic job integrating these ancient elements into a contemporary and unique design. What might have been a very difficult subject was handled with care and sensitivity and as a result the process has been enjoyable as well as being a truly healing experience. Thank you, Ann. Highly recommended.”

GW, London

“We commissioned Ann to produce three urns, one for myself and one for my wife, both to be placed in The Long Barrow at All Cannings in due course. The third was for my daughter who wants to keep some of our ashes in her home. The whole commission was treated with kindness and understanding and we are delighted with the results. I chose Ann by instinct over other competitors, my instinct was right and I cannot recommend Ann enough.”

BW, Basingstoke