How can a choice of one urn be made, given the vast array of cremation urns available?
AMAZING GRACE TOMBSTONES has a selection of urns and cremation boxes in stock so you can select one to express your personal needs. A large collection of shapes and styles that you can also personalize to remember your loved one. At wholesale pricing!
The choice provides both possibility and challenges. The possibility – finding an urn that perfectly matches your memorial service's needs to commemorate yourself or a loved one. The challenge – wading through the various designs, shapes, materials and uses of cremation urns for ashes. To minimize your search time and eliminate the possibility of buying an inappropriate memorial product, we've highlighted the most relevant elements in making this important decision.
In choosing a cremation urn there are 4 simple questions to consider:
- How will the urn be used?
- What are the best materials for an urn?
- What is an appropriate design for an urn?
- How much should I pay for an urn?
1. How will the urn be used?
There are many ways to honor the memory of a loved one and considering how you plan to use the urn will help determine the best option.
- If you would like to display an urn in the home or elsewhere, permanent urns are a great option. They are available in metal, ceramic, marble or stone, wood and glass.
- Columbarium Niche: Storing an ashes urn in a columbarium, a wall with niches to place cremation remains at a site, allows for a wide selection of urn types and styles. The most important factors are size of the niche and the lasting quality of the urn material. First find the size of the niche before deciding on any urn. Learn if the site offers any guidance, and see what others have placed in their niche.
- Scattering ashes: Choose an urn that is lightweight with an easily removable lid.
- Land or Water Burials: This selection allows you to pay homage with a biodegradable cremation urn. Or, an urn of any material can be used for land burial under the right conditions.
- Keepsake Urns: Choose mini urns and cremation jewelry. They serve the purpose of storing a small portion of cremation ashes and are popular when sharing ashes among family and friends.
Once you know what type of memorial service or ceremony you want, and how you’d like to permanently memorialize your loved one, the selection process for cremation urns narrows.
2. What are the best materials for an urn?
Our planning guide “Cremation Urns: A Variety of Materials to Suit Your Needs” provides detailed information on a range of materials. For a quick reference, think about these considerations to help narrow your choices.
- After a memorial service, will you keep the urn or recycle it?
- Will you place it in the ground or water to biodegrade?
- If you scatter the ashes, will you be carrying the scattering urn a distance? Will weight be an issue?
- Will you be traveling with the urn?
Whether you have chosen to scatter the remains, place the urn in a columbarium niche, bury it, or display it in your home, here are some general guidelines to help with your selection. Keep in mind that weight, size, and design for burial urns for human ashes vary.
- will not lose its form or structure due to natural elements, keeping cremated ashes safe and secure
- urns made of stone, such as marble or granite, and metals of bronze, aluminum, or stainless steel, are good choices
- many wooden burial urns serve as permanent urns
- permanent cremation urns are appropriate for interment, entombing in a mausoleum, or resting in a columbarium niche
- also known as non-permanent burial urns
- urns that slowly decompose over time, releasing the remains into the ground or water as the materials gradually break down
- made of non-toxic and natural materials such as Himalayan rock salt, handcrafted papers made from Mulberry bark, cornstarch, coconut shell, gelatin mixed with sand, and bamboo; many wooden cremation urns are also biodegradable; the material poses no threat to the environment
- biodegradable urns are great for burial and sometimes as scattering urns
- made from lightweight, natural materials
- come in the form of paper scattering tubes, water soluble urns for scattering on water, biodegradable urns for releasing into nature, and fabric urns made of silk
- most importantly, they are lightweight, easy to carry to the scattering destination and can be securely held while performing the scattering ceremony
3. What is an appropriate design for an urn?
Urn styles and themes are almost limitless. The appropriateness of any urn design is defined foremost by the deceased’s personal wishes. Secondly, if wishes remain unknown, use your loved one's personality, passions, hobbies, or special interests to guide you to a style reflective of your loved one.
For keeping ashes, you also want to consider the construction of an urn. Many of the urns available at AMAZING GRACE TOMBSTONES are crafted with a metal lining that keeps conditions ideal inside and will not allow any ashes to escape. If an urn does not have a metal lining, very often it will include a bag to secure ashes before placing inside the urn for secure housing.
Urn styles include:
- cloisonné
- polished wood
- biodegradable materials
- patriotic designs
- religious themes
- handmade designs
- motifs of hobbies including sports, nature, gardening, music and cars
- infant, children and adult urns
- pet urns
- cremation jewelry includes a range of styles by design and by interest
4. Engraving is a great option for those who want to further personalize the cremation urn.
Names, dates, or even quotes can be inscribed onto many urns for a unique touch. For urns that cannot be inscribed, many can be embellished with an engraved pendant. Also, as noted in the previous section, look for easy to handle designs for scattering ashes.
5. How much should I pay for an urn?
Cremation urns come in all price ranges, so the first step is to know what you'd like to budget. If your budget is modest (up to $100), there are many high quality urns in the $45 - $100 range. You may even be able to find discontinued urns or overstocked urns that are being sold at as much as 80% off their original retail price. With companies now selling over the Internet, the competitive pricing of urns has made them very affordable without sacrificing quality or the beauty of the design.
If you have a moderate budget you can find cremation urns with greater production value, meaning they require more man-hours to create. Cloisonné urns, highly crafted wood urns, metal urns with intricate decorations, marble urns, ceramic urns and some glass urns generally fall into a higher, but moderate, price bracket of $100 - $350.
For higher or unlimited budgets, you can invest in high priced urns that exhibit rare craftsmanship, use more expensive materials and require more man-hours. Artisan urns are one of a kind and made by hand. They usually warrant a premium price for the unique design. Urns can be commissioned and handcrafted by an artist for a one-of-a-kind purchase. Such urns can go for $350 up to thousands of dollars. They are often made from glass, wood, ceramic or more expensive metals.
Urn Buying Tip: Most funeral homes have a limited selection of urns and charge a premium for them. There can be a considerable price difference between an urn online and the exact same urn at a funeral home. Doing research will help you feel satisfied with your final purchase.
6.Overcoming The Challenge of Many Urn Choices
Your choice of a cremation urn will undoubtedly pay homage to your loved one. The place it will rest and your sensibilities of décor will also factor into your choice. Arriving at a decision for a final resting place for the ashes will also leave you with a sense of resolution. By exploring a few simple questions and narrowing your choices, a challenging situation will result in a satisfying outcome.
To further assist you, check out our Planning Guides on selecting the right size cremation urn, planning scattering ceremonies, as well as other topics that include details regarding biodegradable urns, green burials, purchasing an urn for a grieving friend, and planning a memorial service.
Knowing how to buy an urn will alleviate the stress of buying an urn. There are various things to consider, which can cause stress. But, having a clear idea of the final resting place, and the material you want and knowing the price range will help simplify the process.
If you’re searching for cremation urn online, you will be surprised by the variety of available options. Cremation urns are available in different shapes, styles, and sizes, which can be expensive or affordable.
Some stores like AMAZING GRACE TOMBSTONES even offer personalized cremation urns. From simple wooden boxes to ceramic jars, there are different urns to suit your taste and budget.
The wide variety of cremations urns can be a bit overwhelming, particularly if you are making the decision at an emotional time.
Take your time, consider your budget, and remember that you don’t need to purchase from the funeral home or crematory. There are many vendors to choose from.
It may not be a pleasant task to shop for cremation urns, but if you follow our guide in choosing a cremation urn, you will be satisfied with your choice even after your loved one is gone.
FOR EASIER NAVIGATION:
- What Is An Urn?
- How To Buy An Urn
- How Can Funeral Funds Help Me?
- Additional Questions & Answers On How To Buy An Urn
WHAT IS AN URN?
An urn is just a container or a vessel in different shapes such as a box or vase that are meant to hold the remains or ashes after the cremation. Urns are available in different materials such as wood, ceramic, granite, marble, glass, crystal, bronze, brass, stainless steel, resin, and other materials.
You can even have the urn custom-made according to your specifications as the urns are available in different styles and prices.
Where to buy urns for ashes? You can buy the urn from funeral homes, crematories, online retailers, and other providers. Purchasing an urn is not mandatory because you can collect the ashes in a temporary container or transparent plastic bag from the crematory.
You cannot be forced to buy an urn from a funeral home as the Funeral Rule mandates all funeral homes to accept an urn from outside providers.
You can buy from the funeral home, but you have the option to build your urn or buy from online retailers. You can even use the temporary urn from the crematorium.
HOW TO BUY AN URN
Buying an urn is a more involved process than you can think. It is a final decision you will make about a loved one, and you need to do it right.
Being hasty when buying an urn for the ashes of your loved ones may cause you to choose the wrong one. Avoid getting in a rush. Take your time to be able to choose the urn that demonstrates love and fitting to your loved one.
STEP 1: CONSIDER THE FINAL RESTING PLACE
Select an appropriate cremation urn depending on your decision about the final disposition of the ashes.
Where will the ashes be stored after the cremation?
- Scatter the ashes
- Bury the ashes
- Home storage
- In a mausoleum or columbarium
- Divide the ashes up among family member
- Bring the urn abroad
Buying an Urn for Scattering the Ashes
When purchasing a cremation urn for scattering the ashes in a body of water, consider buying a biodegradable container. This will avoid the wind from blowing the ashes back at your face and be good for the environment too.
Research the law in your area about scattering ashes. In most states, you can scatter the ashes of your loved one overland on private property as long as you have legal permission.
Scattering ashes over water, such as lake, river, or sea, is often subject to federal law. For example, the Federal Clean Water Act (FCWA) requires that you scatter the remains at least three nautical miles from the coast. Ashes that will be scattered over the ocean must be in a biodegradable container. Make sure to check with the state’s law before you proceed.
Buying an Urn for Burying
If you want to buy an urn to bury the ashes in the ground or inside the mausoleum, you will need to check with the cemetery for their requirements. Green cemeteries only allow biodegradable urns. Ground burial requires urns made of wood, metal, or bronze.
Make sure to check the rules of the cemetery if they require a vault. This vault will protect the urn and keep the ground from collapsing.
Buying an Urn for Home Storage
If you plan to store the urn at home, you will need to put it in a safe area that is out of reach of young children and pets. When buying an urn for home storage, consider the material of the urn. Bronze urns can be so heavy it may be hard to dust or move.
Buying an Urn if you Want to Put it in a Mausoleum or Columbarium
Check with the mausoleum or columbarium to check their guidelines before purchasing an urn. Many mausoleums do not accept wooden urns, only ceramic, plastic, or metal urns.
Most mausoleums require a specific size, as each niche has its height and width. Make sure the urn you select will fit inside the niche.
Buying an Urn if the Ashes will be Divided Among Family Member
If you decide to share the ashes among family members, you can buy smaller urns for the remains. Usually, you will need a larger urn after the cremation and a few smaller urns depending on how many family members want to have a part of the ashes.
Buying an Urn for Travel
If you need to travel by plane with the ashes, make sure to consider the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) requirement before you purchase an urn. The urn must be TSA compliant for travel.
The material on the urn must pass through an x-ray machine before it is allowed on a flight. Wood, plastic, glass, and non-lead lined ceramics are the best choice for air travel.
The urns for travel must not be made of metal due to the TSA procedure. If the urn is made of metal, it will show up as opaque on x-ray machines, and the security screener will not be able to see what’s inside.
You can bring the urn as a carry-on or as checked baggage. However, some airlines will not let you to check urns as baggage, check with the airline rules before traveling with an urn.
You can also buy a temporary urn that meets the TSA and airline requirements and then transfer the ashes to a permanent urn once you get home.
STEP 2: DETERMINE YOUR BUDGET
What is your budget? Deciding how much you need to spend before you start shopping for urns will help you narrow down your choices. Urns are available in a variety of price ranges.
Consider this cost, how much money are you willing to spend on the urn. Funerals are expensive. You need to look over every aspect of the service to allocate funds for the urn.
Check if the deceased allocated funds for the urn or if it is included in their prepaid funeral plan. If you have a tight budget, buy an urn within your means. You can get a burial urn that is of excellent quality and beauty for less money by shopping around.
STEP 3: FIGURE OUT THE SIZE OF THE URN YOU NEED
You need to determine the size of the urn before you start shopping. Cremation urn varies in size depending on the shape and design features. Aside from the height, width, and diameter of the urn, another important aspect is the containment.
The rule of thumb in regards to measuring the capacity of the urn is a pound of body weight is equivalent to one cubic inch of ashes. So, if your loved one is 150 pounds when alive, the urn should hold 150 cubic inches of ashes.
It is always best to buy a slightly bigger urn, just in case. For companion urn, which is meant for two individuals, add their combined weight to calculate the size you need.
- Full-sized cremation urn – can hold the maximum of 200 cubic inches or less of an adult
- Medium urns – are needed when dividing the ashes of the deceased among family members
- Keepsake cremation urns – are for a small amount of ashes to be kept in remembrance.
- Companion urns – for keeping the ashes of two individuals
- Extra-large urns – is also available for very tall (over 6 feet tall) or larger framed individuals
When buying an urn, consider the size and the manner of disposition. If you put the urn in a niche in a mausoleum or columbarium, you need to make sure that it will fit into the niche.
Call ahead to find out the size requirement before buying your urn. If you’re going to bury the urn, check with your local funeral home and cemetery for their specific policies on size limitations.
If the ashes will be shared with family members, use the one pound to one cubic inch rule in buying smaller keepsake urns. You’ll need to account for the amount of ashes the urn will keep when buying an urn.
STEP 4: DETERMINE THE MATERIALS
Cremation urns come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Urns can be made of different materials from wood, ceramic, plastic, or metal.
Despite the kind of materials, there are two types of urns: permanent and non-permanent.
Permanent urns do not degrade over time. Permanent urns are typically made of hardwood, metal, glass, ceramic, bronze, brass, and marble. While non-permanent urns are made of materials that will decompose over time.
When buying a cremation urn, choose the material depending on what you intend to do with the ashes.
If you are going to scatter the ashes, a biodegradable urn is often an eco-friendly and affordable choice.
Environmentally-friendly cremation urns
Non-permanent urns are often made of paper, but some are made of salt, gelatin, cornstarch, or other bio-degradable materials. These materials are eco-friendly because they don’t leave permanent materials.
Environmentally-friendly urns are available in designs for display, burial or scattering.
Earth biodegradable urns – are designed for burying. Some biodegradable urns have seeds embedded in the paper that will produce a tree after it decomposes.
Water biodegradable urns – these urns are designed to biodegrade in water. Using biodegradable water urn when you are scattering the ashes in any body of water is eco-friendly.
If you are burying the urn, decide whether you like to have the urn preserved as long as possible. You can use ceramic or metal urn enclosed in a burial vault. If you want the ashes to quickly joined the earth, you can use a wood urn or biodegradable earth urn.
If you plan to display the cremation urn at home, it is best to purchase an attractive but durable vase. Consider the room in which you plan to show the urn, and you should consider this when choosing the material. You can choose ceramic, tinted glass, or metal urn.
Think of the personality and hobbies of your loved one when choosing the material for the urn. You can pick a theme such as:
- Hobby themed urns
- Sports themed urns
- Military themed urns
- Religious themed urns
- Photo urns
- Art themed urns
- Memento urns
- Urns for travel
When choosing the material for the urn, think of the departed preference first. Then consider the appearance of the urn, is it something your loved one would approve. Does it reflect his or her personality?
Make sure the material you will choose is something the deceased would have chosen to have his remains stored in.
STEP 5: BUYING THE URN
After determining the manner of disposal. Your budget, the size, and material of the urn, you can now start shopping. You can buy urns from funeral homes, retailers, or online.
You are not obligated to buy an urn from Funeral homes, but if you found an urn that is perfect for you and at a reasonable price from the funeral home, go for it. Just be aware that you are free to buy an urn from any provider.
Buying a cremation urn pre-need is a smart move.There are many advantages to buying an urn before you need it. If the urn is for yourself, you can choose the one you want while helping your family avoid the stress of selection in a difficult time.
If you’re buying for a family member who is ill, buying an urn in advance allows them to participate in the selection.
Even if you or a family member is not planning on dying sooner, it is advantageous to buy an urn pre-need. You can keep the urn in the box, or you can display it to add a piece to your home décor.
You will also save when ordering the urn in advance because you will not pay for rush shipping costs. Buying an urn pre-need saves you stress and excessive shipping charges.
With the wide variety of urns to choose from, you will surely find the perfect way to honor your loved one. The important thing is to take your time and explore your options.
If you are having a hard time making a decision, call a family member or a friend to help you decide. With a little patience and research, you will be able to select an urn that is a perfect memorial to your loved one.
While is it never easy to choose the right urn, especially during an emotional time, by following these guidelines on how to buy an urn, hopefully, the process will be easier for you.
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