Have you recently lost a loved one? This is undoubtedly one of the hardest challenges a person can face. Experiencing it without prior preparation is more common, so today we bring you a guide to help you choose the types of urns available for human ashes.
Over the years, cremation has become the preferred option for honoring the memory of loved ones, whether human or pets, due to the immense freedom it offers to create a personalized tribute. Therefore, choosing among the different types of urns for human ashes is, ultimately, an act of love.
Funeral Urns for Human Ashes
Beyond being a simple container, an urn is a tangible symbol of love, respect, and remembrance for the memory that endures. The variety of urns for human ashes is vast, allowing you to find different styles, materials, budgets, and final resting places.
Do you wish to keep the ashes in a place within your home, or would you prefer them to rest in a niche or underground? This is the first key decision, and to give you a better idea, here are your options:
Display at home: This is the most common option, but not the only one. These urns are typically made of wood, ceramic, or glass.
Burial: If you’re looking for a traditional farewell at a cemetery or memorial garden, urns are also a great choice. In this case, if durability is your priority, you can choose a stone or marble urn, but if you’re looking for an eco-friendly option, biodegradable urns are a good choice.
Columbarium: Some people choose to place urns containing ashes in niches or on memorial walls located in cemeteries. Here, the most recommended options are metal or marble urns.
Types of Urns for Special Purposes
In addition to the traditional options mentioned above, there are special ways to honor the memory of your loved one, and every family experiences this in its own unique way.
Keepsake urns: Do you have several family members, or do you live in different countries, but everyone wants to keep their deceased loved one close? That’s why these types of urns exist; they are smaller than standard size, allowing several family members to keep a symbolic portion of the ashes.
Sharing urns: Although the name may seem related to the previous ones, we want to clarify that these urns are medium-sized, allowing for an equal division of the ashes.
Double urns or companion urns: These urns are twice the standard size, allowing for the ashes of two people to be stored.
Scattering tubes: These are cylindrical tubes designed specifically for scattering ceremonies.
Types of Urns by Material
Wooden urns: are among the most meaningful choices for honoring a loved one, especially when the intention is to keep them close at home. Their warmth, texture, and natural presence allow them to blend seamlessly into everyday spaces, becoming part of the home rather than an object apart.
At Crafted Urns, each piece is made using carefully selected woods, chosen not only for their beauty, but for how they feel, age, and live within a space:
- Oak: Strong and timeless, known for its durability and natural grain.
- Mahogany: Rich in tone and depth, often associated with elegance and warmth.
- African Mahogany: Slightly lighter in texture, offering a refined and balanced appearance.
- Laurel: Chosen for its sustainability and conscious origin.
- Teak: Highly valued for its resistance and its long-standing association with longevity.
- Crabwood: A distinctive hardwood with unique character, appreciated for its natural variation and organic feel.
Metal Urns: Metal urns are made of brass, bronze, copper, or aluminum. They are ideal for those who wish to place them in columbariums or niches. Due to their material, these urns are designed to last over time and can even be buried in a traditional cemetery or memorial garden.
Stone or Marble Urns: Urns made of stone, carved from marble, granite, and onyx, are ideal for indoor or outdoor display, as well as for burial in cemeteries or gardens.
Ceramic or porcelain urns: These are made from clay and are ideal for those seeking a blend of artisanal craftsmanship and personalized details that make this a truly unique decorative piece.
Glass urns: These typically come in two styles: fully transparent or translucent. This type of urn is ideal for those seeking a distinctive memorial with visual sophistication.
Urn Size Guide for Humans
Once you have decided on the final resting place for your loved one's urn and the type of material, it is important to consider the size of the container. Urn capacity is measured in cubic inches and is related to the person's weight.
There is a general rule that can help you determine the correct urn size: one pound of body weight is approximately equivalent to one cubic inch of urn capacity.
For Humans: If a person weighs 150 pounds, they will need an urn with a minimum capacity of 150 cubic inches.
At Crafted Urns, we always recommend choosing an urn with a slightly larger capacity to ensure that all the ashes can fit. We also recommend checking the capacity specifications before purchasing.
A tribute of love.
Choosing an urn is an act of love and an important step in honoring the life of a loved one. More than just a farewell, it is a sanctuary of remembrance that lasts forever.