It can be challenging to select a suitable urn for your loved one, especially considering that there are so many different kinds. It could add to the already existing stress involved in the process.
Here’s a guide to choosing one for your loved one depending on the location, material, budget, etc. Find the appropriate urn and give the person a warm farewell.
Size and Capacity
Adult cremation urns are the most common size. Adult size will usually contain the ashes of anyone who weighed 200-220 pounds or less before cremation. One cubic inch of cremated remains equals one pound of the person’s average body weight.
There are also other sizes:
- Large urns – For an adult over six feet or above 220 pounds
- Companion urns – Usually for two family members or spouses
- Small urns – For an infant or child and keepsake urns with only a portion of the remains.
Final Location
Choosing one for your loved one can also depend on the purpose or its final destination.
● Scattering Ashes
Since this is only a temporary urn, you can choose any simple design. But there are also specific scattering urns or scattering tubes for this process.
● Permanent Display
If you want to display it in your home or anywhere else, you can choose a theme to remember your loved one. Make sure you review your local laws to see if it’s legal.
● Burial in-ground/water
If it will be buried in a graveyard, you’ll need to buy a vault to prevent the ground around it from collapsing. There are also burial urns that are biodegradable and help the remains naturally return to the earth.
To bury it in a water body, you can get a water burial urn that is water-soluble and built to sink and dissolve.
● Columbarium
A columbarium is a wall with niches to position cremation remains. It stores a wide variety of forms and styles. The niche’s capacity and the urn’s long-term durability are the most critical considerations.
Material
Cremation urns are made out of a variety of materials. Metal, wood, stone, and ceramic are the most common and widespread. Any of these primary materials can last for several years, if not decades.
If you’re burying the remains in a cemetery plot, you may want to get one of cultured marble or granite. Other materials, such as paper, sand, and salt, are used for biodegradable urns that intend to return your loved one’s remains to the earth.
Budget
Cremation urns are available in all price ranges, from budget-friendly to exquisite. The dynamic prices have made it very accessible since companies are now selling online without compromising on design. Urns start at $40 and can go up to $100 if you are on a small budget. You will find cremation urns with more personalization and human effort, crafted with intricate designs. It falls into the below $300 price line. If you want high-priced urns, they will cost you between $300 to thousands since they use more costly materials and take more human hours.
Find more family life topics in our archives.
