Choosing Your Loved One's Urn

When choosing an urn for your loved one’s cremated remains, there are many aspects to consider. Urns come in an array of shapes, sizes, colors, styles, and materials. It can be difficult to figure out which one will be right for your family member. Your funeral director will be able to help you pick the right urn for your loved one. 

Urn Sizes

Urns come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Some are large and vase-like; while others are compact cubes. Most urns are made to fit the average amount of cremains. If you have decided to place the urn in a niche in a cemetery columbarium, you should see what constrictions they require. Otherwise, the size you pick should be one that can fit comfortably in your home while properly storing your loved one’s ashes. 

Most urns will come in a variety of standard sizes. Adult-sized urns will cover most people. Larger-framed or taller individuals may need an extra large-sized urn. Medium urns are most often used for keeping a loved one’s ashes divided among several family members. 

Lastly, keepsake urns are small urns meant to hold only a small amount of ashes. A family that wants to scatter the ashes of a loved one might also keep a small portion of their loved one’s ashes at home in a keepsake urn.

Urns For Display or Function

If you plan on displaying the urn in your home, then you should pick an attractive, but respectful urn. Urns are often displayed at home on a mantle,  on a shelf, or maybe on your dresser. The urn you choose to display in your home should be solemn and beautiful. Many urns are meant to be displayed in this fashion. 

On the other hand, there is a wide variety of urns simply meant to serve the purpose of holding remains. Some of these may be buried or placed in a columbarium. These urns are often more plain but still well-crafted. 

Engravings

Many urns can be engraved to display your loved one’s name and more. You can have the urn itself bare the engraving, or you have the information placed onto an attached placard. Your loved one’s name, birth date, death date, a quote, or even an image can be added to an urn via engraving. 

Materials

Urns come in a variety of materials. Brass, ceramic, wood, and marble are generally the most common choices. Glass and aluminum urns have become more popular in recent years, too. Each urn material has its pros and cons, but marble is a common choice. Marble urns can be engraved without worrying about the carvings wearing down. They are very durable. A marble urn can also be buried at a grave rather than in an urn vault; depending on the cemetery’s rules. Ceramic, wood, and marble urns can come in a variety of colors. Some will have engraved designs on them as well. 
If you plan on taking the urn on a plane, such as to scatter the ashes or bring them home with you, make sure that you pick an urn that can be x-rayed. Wood and marble can be x-rayed, whereas most metal urns cannot.

Keepsake Jewelry Urns

Keepsake jewelry urns are a way to keep your loved one with you at all times. Often, these are pendants, bracelets, or rings with a hollow pocket to house a small amount of a loved one’s ashes. A family may wish to give several relatives a keepsake piece after a loved one’s death. It is a way to honor your loved one’s memory and keep them in your thoughts.

For over 50 years, Matthew Funeral Home has been serving the Staten Island community. We can help with almost every aspect of your loved one’s memorial service. Our family is here to serve yours, every step of the way.