The urn holding cremated remains will be present at the memorial service and, depending on your plans, may be kept in a home, placed in a cemetery, or used for scattering. It's worth making the choice thoughtfully — with the person's personality, your plans for the remains, and practical considerations all in mind.
First: Decide What Will Happen to the Remains
The right urn depends significantly on what you plan to do with the remains:
- Indoor home display: An urn that suits the home's aesthetic; will be seen regularly; durability and appearance both matter
- Cemetery burial: Needs to meet cemetery requirements (some require a burial vault or specific materials)
- Columbarium niche: Size requirements are set by the specific niche dimensions
- Scattering: A temporary container (or biodegradable urn) may be more appropriate
- Splitting remains: Multiple containers needed — a primary urn plus keepsake urns or memorial jewelry
Many families do a combination: scatter a portion, keep a portion in a primary urn, and give family members small keepsake urns.
Size: Getting It Right
Urn capacity is measured in cubic inches. The standard rule: approximately 1 cubic inch per pound of pre-death body weight. Most adult urns hold 200–250 cubic inches, accommodating most adults.
Ask the cremation provider for the actual volume of remains before purchasing — this ensures the urn you choose will fit. Some cremation providers include a basic urn or plastic container; the remains can be transferred to a different urn later.
Materials
Metal (aluminum, bronze, brass, copper)
Durable, available in many finishes (matte, brushed, polished), price range from modest to premium. Bronze and brass tend to have a more traditional, formal appearance; aluminum can be used for a wider range of styles. Suitable for home display, burial, or mausoleum placement.
Hardwood
Warm, natural appearance. Common woods include cherry, walnut, maple, and oak, often with inlay artwork, engraving, or photo panels. Well-suited for homes that prefer a more natural aesthetic. Can be buried.
Ceramic and porcelain
Often handcrafted, available in a wide range of artistic styles and colors. Can be highly personal and beautiful. Ceramic urns are more fragile than metal and should be handled carefully.
Marble and stone
Heavy and formal. Used for permanent display, mausoleum placement, or cemetery niches. Often engraved with name and dates.
Biodegradable
Made from salt, sand, bamboo, cornstarch, paper, or other natural materials designed to dissolve in water or decompose in earth. Used for ocean or water scattering, and for eco-friendly burial. Not intended for long-term display.
Art glass
Hand-blown glass urns are striking display pieces. More fragile and typically higher priced; best suited for homes where the urn will be a cherished permanent display.
Personalization Options
- Engraving: Name, dates, a brief inscription — available on most metal and stone urns
- Photo panels: Some urns include a recessed panel for a photo of the deceased
- Custom artwork: Ceramic and hand-crafted urns can be made with imagery meaningful to the person — a landscape, a hobby, a symbol
- Keepsake urns: Small companion urns, each holding a small portion of remains, allow multiple family members to have a physical memorial
- Memorial jewelry: Pendants, rings, and bracelets designed to hold a small amount of cremated remains
Where to Buy
Cremation urns are available from: funeral homes and cremation providers (often marked up significantly — you are not required to purchase from them), online retailers (Foreverence, Urns Northwest, Perfect Memorials, Amazon), local artisans and ceramic studios, and estate sale and antique dealers for vintage containers.
Under the FTC Funeral Rule, funeral homes are required to accept urns purchased elsewhere and cannot charge a handling fee for doing so. You are not obligated to buy the urn from the cremation provider.