Memorial Keepsake Jewelry for Men

by J. Malec

A titanium cremation bracelet with a very masculine look.

Choosing memorial keepsake jewelry for men can be a heartfelt decision for anyone, especially for a man who is recently mourning. Men are less likely to wear their emotions on their sleeves or expose pain throughout the grieving process. However, research shows conflicting views on whether men and women grieve differently.

Do Men Grieve Differently than Women?

With a quick examination of our own experiences, most of us may conclude that men do, in fact, manifest their grief in ways that are different than their female counterparts. Men tend to be angrier or stoic instead of sad. They may also prefer to spend time alone or, on the other hand, serve as the shoulder to lean on for stability and support.

Though we can generally say that men are less straightforward about sorrow during bereavement, some experts note that grieving is too complex a process to characterize by gender. There are as many ways of expressing grief as there are individuals who grieve. No two people, no matter their gender, grieve alike. There is also no set way to grieve.

Researchers do suggest that there are two models of grief. The “male model” of grief learns to break away from the past, but not all men display the “male model.” The “female model” emphasizes connection in lieu of separation, but not all women display the “female model.” The incapability to express any grief at all may have serious repercussions because grief allows us to grow beyond bitterness or lack of joy.

Wearing Emotions “On Our Sleeves”

Cultural and social pressures often dictate how we should behave throughout the grieving process. Whether these queues are right or wrong is beside the point. It’s insightful to recognize the underlying influences that propel grief, so that we may understand the emotional forces at work when we experience the loss of a loved one.

In his article, “Do Men Grieve Differently,” Lou Wallace, M. DIV., D. MIN. abridges the cultural expectations of men and how they handle grief. He notes that men may respond to loss in several ways:

• Taking charge, problem-solving
• Being “strong,” supporting others
• Less expression of feelings, more concerned with thinking than feeling
• Independent, self-contained
• Striving, moving, activity
• Seeing death/grief as a challenge to be overcome, a test of masculinity

Furthermore, Wallace suggests that “being a man” means avoiding feelings and moving onto the next activity or thought. This gut reaction sets him up to move away from his grief instead of toward it, but mourning is essential.

Cremation Jewelry for Love and Loss

There are several ways to contravene the tendency to move away from grief. Help anyone in mourning move toward an expression of grieving with cremation jewelry that holds a nominal portion of ashes. Keeping a loved one close in the form of memorial keepsake jewelry for men creates a connection, despite the distance that death brings.

Gold, stainless steel, silver, and titanium cremation jewelry are growing in popularity as bracelets or pendants. There are a variety of beautiful and bold designs available. These items serve a significant role in furthering reflection and the journey toward acceptance. No one disappears or leaves us entirely. Your loved one is still with you at all times, and memorial keepsake jewelry for men may be the perfect way to show someone how much you care.

J. Malec is a visual artist and writer whose work often deals with themes related to loss and healing. She lives in Minneapolis, and spends much of her time practicing permaculture in the city.