When a special person passes away, emotions are high and things begin to change. We know how grief and sadness can takeover after the loss of someone special. We want to help make the memorializing process special and without worry. Choosing an urn can be an overwhelming process if you’re unsure where to start. There is an inexhaustible amount of options that can be hard to narrow down. Asking the right questions and following a few guidelines can help you decide the best way to honor your loved one. 

First, how will you be using the urn? Many people like to display the urn in an important place in their home. It is a great way to preserve special memories and many find comfort in the urns' physicality. Many urns can be customized in your vision with graphics or engravings. We have personalized options including engravings, military logo designs and religious displays. For those who chose to scatter the ashes, biodegradable urns are a practical choice. These types of urns have a top opening to easily release the cremains. Families will sometimes put keepsakes or flowers inside the urn after scattering. Perennial memorial urns open from the bottom for efficient use.  

Next, where will the urn be kept? If you plan on burying the urn you want to choose a durable material that can support the earth around it. Some cemeteries have limitations for burial that must be considered. Many chose to display the urn at home, which allows for more freedom in making the memorialization personal. If you plan on displaying it in your home, you want to pick something beautiful that brings you peace.

There are many materials to choose from: wood, ceramic, stone, metal and eco-friendly materials. Wood urns are a great choice if you’re interested in a polished, heirloom piece with durability. If you have pets or small children, wood is a popular option because of its stability incase of an accident.

FuneralDirect offers some unique ideas for displaying urns:

• a shelf on a bookshelf

• desk

• coffee or end tables

• nightstands

• trophy cases

• wall mounted shelf

• entire wall in your living room, bedroom, etc.

• convert an entire hardly used room

For sizing, the standard is that each pound of a person’s body weight needs one cubic inch of space for the ashes. If you plan on traveling with the urn, The Transportation Security Administration has limitations on what you can fly with. The urn must be x-ray scannable with size requirements. We recommend researching your carriers limitations, and considering a temporary urn for travel. More information on the process can be found here.

If you have any other questions about the urn selection process, please send us an email or give us a call. We’re happy to help.