Choosing the Perfect Cremation Urn

A Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing the Perfect Cremation Urn

If you’re not familiar with the process for buying an urn, the different types, sizes, and applications can feel overwhelming. Most people purchase an urn for a loved one shortly after their passing, which means you might be grieving and dealing with other stresses at the same time.

The good news is that the information you need isn’t difficult to get. With this guide, you can discover different types of urns and how they could work for your loved one’s final rest. You’ll be able to find the right size, select a vendor, and choose an urn that provides a perfect tribute to honor the life of your loved one.

Where Can I Put the Urn?

The place you plan to keep the urn affects the size and materials you can choose. You may need to select one or more locations for the remains before you start browsing options that will suit the purpose.

Permanent Placement

Although cremation gives families many options for the final rest of a loved one, many still choose a permanent placement for the remains. If your loved one has a burial plot at a cemetery, you might want an urn vault and an urn meant for burial. For interment in a cemetery’s columbarium, which is a building or structure that holds the remains of many people, you should confirm that the urn size will fit inside the niche. To bury remains outside of a cemetery environment, you could select eco-friendly urns that will break down quickly. Some families bury the remains with wildflower seeds or a tree, to create a living memorial.

Placement at Sea

The right urns for a burial at sea depend on the method of burial. Some families want to scatter ashes over open water, or place a packet of ashes on the surface. Scattering urns or biodegradable urns made of paper can be ideal for this purpose. For other applications, including burial at sea, you should research local guidelines before selecting a material.

Scattering

As long as you have the permission of the entity that controls the target location, you may opt to scatter the ashes on land. Scattering urns are often made of lightweight materials and work well for temporary use. If you want to plan a scattering ceremony as a memorial for family and friends, scattering tubes can make a wonderful keepsake for attendees.

Placement at Home

Placing the urn at home gives you a wider variety of options for materials and size. You should consider buying an urn made of wood, metal, marble, glass, or ceramic. Paper urns may degrade quickly, particularly in humid regions. If you plan to put the urn in a place of prominence for visitors, browse options that fit well with your home décor and your loved one’s preferences. For a private display, you can choose almost anything you want.

Temporary Placement

If you need to transport the remains to a final rest and you can’t use the urn itself, you will probably need a container that will keep the ashes safe. Although you can choose a variety of options, you should select one that closes tightly and won’t collapse during transit.

Sharing

Many families choose to spread a loved one’s remains in multiple locations. For example, you might consider placing a portion of the ashes in a columbarium or burying the remains at sea, saving small quantities to put in keepsake urns or cremation jewelry urns. These urns hold very small amounts of remains, so that everyone can share in the process.

What Size Urn Do I Need?

Urn sizing has a wide range, depending on the type. Although you’re not required to put all the ashes into a single urn, you may want to have the option to do so. Here are a few standard sizes for urns.

Keepsake Urns

Keepsake urns hold a very small amount of ashes, usually between 1-50 cubic inches, depending on the design. Keepsakes are much smaller than standard urns. They are designed to be kept as tokens of remembrance and help family members split up their loved one’s ashes.  

Urn Volume: 1 - 50 cubic inches

Infant and Children’s Urns

Infant and children's urns can overlap in size with keepsakes, depending on the age and weight of the child. Infants' urns are designed to hold 5-15 cubic inches of ashes, while children's urns are designed for 25-150 cubic inches of ashes.

Urn Volume: 5 - 150 cubic inches

Standard Urns

Standard urns are sized for the average adult. One cubic inch of ashes corresponds roughly to one pound of a person's weight when alive, so standard urns can fit the ashes of an individual with an upper weight limit of 150-200 lbs. In other words, standard urns hold 150-200 cubic inches of ashes.

Urn Volume: 150 - 200 cubic inches

Extra-Large Urns

Extra large cremation urns have a much larger capacity than standard-sized urns. These urns are specifically designed to hold the cremated remains of larger individuals, whose ashes exceed 200 cubic inches of volume. They are normally made from durable materials like marble, metal, and wood and can hold between 300-500 cubic inches.

Urn Volume: 300 - 500 cubic inches

Companion Urns

Also known as double urns or shared urns, companion urns are made to hold the ashes of two or more people. Companion urns are a popular choice for couples who wish to stay by each other’s side, even in death. Companion urns can also include family urns, which are made to hold the ashes of 3+ people and their pets. These urns can hold 400 cubic inches at minimum, which is equal to the combined volume of two standard adult urns.

Urn Volume: 400 - 600 cubic inches

As a general rule, you’ll need at least one cubic inch of space per pound of the person’s weight. The amount of ashes depends on the person’s height as well as weight. You may need to buy an extra-large urn for a loved one who was taller than six feet. Check the size before you purchase, particularly for an infant urn. If you’re not planning to scatter the ashes or give away keepsakes at a memorial, you may want to buy a larger urn than you anticipate. Our urn size calculator makes it easy to estimate with greater accuracy.

Which Urn Types Can I Choose?

Once you know the place you want to put the urn and the approximate size you need for that purpose, you can start to consider themes and materials that will suit your needs.

Themed Urns

There is no one standard urn, so you can choose from a variety of themes and intended purposes. The most popular themed urns include:

• Photo Urns
• Military Urns
• Sports Urns
• Outdoor Urns
• Music Urns
• Motorcycle, Car, Truck, & Train Urns
• Religious Urns
• Art Urns
• Infant Urns
• Companion Urns
• Scattering Urns
• Burial Urns
• Keepsake Urns
• Jewelry Urns

If you don’t see the theme you want included on this list, you might want to search specifically for the right kind. You could also order a custom urn to get the perfect design.

Urn Materials

With a theme in mind, you can consider the different urn materials available. Here are the most common options, with some benefits for each one:

Metal Urns

Metal urns are most commonly made of either brass, copper, pewter, or stainless steel. Since these materials are strong, they are able to withstand the elements well and can be placed indoors or outdoors.

Brass urns are one of the most well-known types. Made of a mixture of copper and zinc, brass urns are both durable and instantly recognizable. Due to their durability, an outdoor placement may be appropriate.

Pewter urns are a classic urn choice. Made from a combination of tin, copper, antimony, and bismuth, pewter urns often share a similar look with tarnished silver, depending on how they are finished. 

Wood Urns

Wood is a very popular choice for urns, in large part because it can be shaped to nearly any size. There are a plethora of options for wood urns, including laser engraving and full-color printing resulting in gorgeous personalized memorials.

Ceramic Urns

Often handmade, ceramic urns are unique and colorful pieces of art. Ceramic urns are often displayed indoors and designed to add elegance to any memorial display. They offer a unique, personal quality as beautiful as the loved one they represent.

Biodegradable Urns

Meant to break down within weeks or months, biodegradable urns are a fantastic choice for those who lived an environmentally-conscious lifestyle. These urns are suitable for earth burials, water burials, and scattering ceremonies.

Marble Urns

Marble urns are timeless and meant to last a lifetime.

Glass Urns

With glass urns, each urn is a work of art and a special last gift to your loved one. Glass urns are made by hand by artisans around the world. They often feature iridescent glass and make an excellent choice for indoor display.

Before you choose a material, be sure to research the care for the urn and confirm that the material will suit the placement. Hand-painted urns may need regular dusting and gentle cleaning to avoid removing the finish, while some urns are easy to wipe clean of dust.

Cremation Jewelry

Cremation jewelry offers a wonderful way to keep a loved one close to you, with stylish jewelry that works with any attire. Common jewelry options include:

• Stainless Steel
• Silver
• Gold-Plated
• 10KT, 14KT, or 18KT Gold

If you are looking for cremation jewelry, you should factor the material, upkeep, and your budget into your choice. Stainless steel makes the most cost-conscious option, as it is relatively inexpensive and simple to clean. Silver and gold cost more and require more maintenance to keep them looking beautiful.

Printing

Many urns come with engraving options, so that you can put a message or relevant information about your loved one. The type of printing affects the quality, durability, and level of customization. For example, UV printing allows the manufacturer to print text or an image directly onto the urn surface, whether the urn is made of ceramic, wood, metal, or another material. UV ink provides a lasting result that is less likely to fade or wither with exposure to light. Some UV printing techniques can create a relief image on the surface. By comparison, non-UV ink may not be as durable or customizable.

What Are Custom Urns?

Although you may have a few ideas in mind for what you think the typical urn looks like, you should know that custom urns take all shapes and sizes. If you can imagine it, you can find a manufacturer to make it. At In The Light Urns, we love to help our customers find the perfect urn, even if it hasn’t been made before. We offer custom options for our most popular urns. We can print a photo or lines of engraving directly onto the surface, providing a personalized design that looks beautiful.

Using unique innovations, we’ve been able to make a variety of realistic, stylish urns that provide a perfect final rest for a loved one, including:

• Miller beer can
• Coffin with glow-in-the-dark paint
• Pop art stylized lips

With the wonders of 3D printing, we can bring almost any design or idea to life. 3D printing involves using computers to run a machine that adds layers of material to suit a custom design. You can get an urn in almost any shape you like, from a realistic depiction of a favorite hobby to a lifelike bust of your loved one.

How Much Does an Urn Cost?

Urns cost $10 to $500 or more, depending on the size, material, and level of customization. For most urns, material affects the price the most. An urn made of marble, hardwood, or hand-blown glass may cost more than one made of paper for scattering or burial at sea. Similarly, choosing an urn from a pre-set selection will probably cost less than ordering a completely custom urn in a unique design.

Size dictates price as well, although materials and customization still determine the expense. You may pay more for 14-karat gold cremation jewelry than you would for a companion urn of a less-expensive material. If you’re trying to find a suitable choice for your loved one on a budget, we provide a selection of urns at lower prices, including free urns that only require you to pay for shipping.

How Can I Buy an Urn Online?

The funeral home or cremation service you choose may have urns that you can buy, but you may want to shop online, as well. Buying urns online can be more convenient and gives you more options that fit your budget and your loved one’s style. Before you select a vendor, you should research a few aspects of their processes:

• Online reputation and reviews, particularly for urns in the style you want
• Product selection and level of customization available, if you want engraving, photos, or other custom options
• Time to ship and receive the urn, especially if you’re buying cross-country or internationally
• Return policies, in case you find an error or your order sustains damage during transport

If you need the urn to arrive before a memorial, you may need to order it at least a week or more in advance. In The Light Urns offers free shipping, with the option to pay to expedite the order for faster arrival. When you receive your item, check for flaws or mistakes. At In The Light Urns, we provide a satisfaction guarantee on our urns, in case the product does not meet your expectations.

How do I buy an urn?

To buy an urn, you can shop online or ask your funeral director for options. Typically, you’ll find a wider selection online. Determine the size you need and the best materials for the placement. This information helps you narrow down the choices, so you can select a wonderful one for your loved one.

Do people buy their own urns?

You can buy yourself an urn as part of memorial pre-planning, and the decision could help eliminate some family stress. Most people buy urns for a loved one, however, not for themselves. Statistically, less than one in five Americans put a plan in place for their final rest.

How much does a good urn cost?

Urns made of quality materials that will work for a long-term or permanent placement often cost $100 to $500. You can find good urns for lower prices, but they may be smaller or intended for temporary use.

What material is the best for urns?

The best material for cremation urns depends on the application. If you want to put the urn in a columbarium or permanent place outside, you may need to choose a durable material like stone or metal. Glass, wood, or soft metals work better for placement indoors.

What is the standard size for an urn?

The standard adult urn size is 200 cubic inches, although the range of a standard urn could run 150 to 250 cubic inches. Larger adults often need more than 200 cubic inches, so you should confirm the size before you buy.

Shopping for and buying an urn for a loved one can be an intriguing or overwhelming process, depending on your situation at the time of purchase. At In The Light Urns, we aim to make buying an urn as simple as possible, without compromising variety or customization options. To guide your search, remember these factors:

• Final placement for the urn
• Proper size, presuming 200 cubic inches as the standard for the average adult
• Material, depending on your budget and placement
• Cost, especially if you are on a budget or need to buy multiple urns
• Customization, from simple engraving to a fully-custom urn

Although the urn-buying process doesn’t usually come at an ideal time for your family, you should know that you can find a great urn without having to compromise on the important things or break the bank. Refer to this guide as you shop, and you’ll have all the information you need to make the right decision.

Choosing a cremation urn involves considering factors such as the future placement of the urn, the amount of ashes you intend to store, and any personal preference for aesthetic style. An urn may be placed in an urn niche, buried in an urn vault, or displayed at home. Green burial and water scattering require biodegradable urns. If ashes are divided and shared among family members, keepsake urns are ideal for storing small amounts. Sizes for individuals range from infant and child urns, to standard adult urns, to extra-large urns. Companion urns can hold the remains of more than one person. Aesthetic themes for urns reflect individual taste and personality. Some popular urn themes include sports urns, music urns, and religious urns. If there is a specific idea you have in mind for the perfect urn, we can make custom urns where the only limit is your imagination.

MEET THE FOUNDER

Susan Fraser

Susan Fraser, founder of In The Light Urns Inc., has spearheaded innovation in the memorial industry since 2001. After a personal tragedy, she created custom cremation urns for ashes reflecting a lost loved one's individuality and still speaking with customers daily. Her commitment to comfort made her an authority on cremation and memorials, guiding and consoling families through understanding and compassion.

Susan's insights support and reassure during difficult times. Her relentless innovation introduced personalized options honoring legacies. With expertise and dedication, Susan's cremation guides give families invaluable resources for informed decisions.