Picking Out an Urn for Your Loved One

There are many things to consider when choosing an urn for your loved one’s cremated remains. Urns come in a wide 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 can help you pick out an urn and determine the size that you may need.

Urn Sizes

Urns come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some are larger and more vase-like. Others may come designed to look like 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 standardized sizes. Adult-sized urns will be enough for most individuals. Larger framed or taller individuals may need an extra-large urn. Medium urns are most often used for keeping a loved one’s ashes divided amongst several family members. 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 keep some ashes of their loved one in a smaller keepsake urn.

Displaying the Urn

If you are planning on displaying the urn in your home, you could choose an attractive but respectful urn. Urns are often displayed on a mantle or shelf in a living room or den. The urn you choose to display in your home should be solemn and beautiful.

Urn Engravings

Most urns can be engraved to display your loved one's name and more. You can have the urn itself bear the engraving, or attach a metal placard. Your loved one’s name, birth and death date, a quote, and even an image can be added to an urn via engraving.

Materials

Urns are made in a variety of materials. The most common among them are brass, ceramic, wood, and marble. Glass and aluminum urns are also becoming more popular. Each urn material has its pros and cons, but marble is often the best choice for families. Marble urns can be engraved without risk of wearing down the letters. A marble urn can also be buried at a grave rather than in an urn vault, depending on the cemetery. Other materials can vary in price and durability

If you plan on taking the urn on a plane, such as to scatter the ashes, make sure that you pick an urn that can be x-rayed. Wood and marble can be x-rayed, whereas most metal urns cannot. Please note that there may be important rules to consider when transporting remains over state lines, especially by air. For more information, view TSA guidance.

Keepsake Jewelry

Keepsake jewelry is a pendant, bracelet, or ring with a hollow container for a small amount of your 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 have your loved one with you always.

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.