Cremation Urns

An urn burial is a form of interment where cremated remains, or ashes, are buried in the ground or placed in a cremation urn vault. Although urn burials have been practiced throughout history, they are becoming an increasingly popular selection since they are typically less expensive than traditional burials with caskets and provide more options in terms of memorialization. For example, some ashes may be used for keepsakes such as jewelry while the rest remain buried in the designated plot.

Most cemeteries will require the urn to be placed in a cremation urn vault, which is a holder that encloses the urn and prevents the ground from caving in or becoming unstable when the urn eventually breaks down. If the urn is made of marble or stone, it may also be used as a vault. If a biodegradable urn is used, it may be suitable for burial at a conservation or green burial site. Since cemeteries tend to have different rules or requirements, it is best to ask before making significant decisions. 

Cemeteries are the most common location for urn burials, so some have designated areas known as urn gardens specifically designed to include small plots and unique landscapes as potential burial sites. Conservation burial grounds or similar natural locations are another popular choice to bury ashes, especially among those seeking an eco-friendly option as a final resting place. It is important to note that although burial may be allowed with a biodegradable urn, some natural burial grounds don’t allow ashes to be scattered. Depending on local and state regulations, individuals might also want to consider that ashes may be buried at home. 

Ultimately, urn burials uniquely balance traditional burial practices and personal values. Urn burials provide another opportunity to remember the person who died in a respectful and dignified manner outside of the traditional burial setting. As cremation costs are often less than burial costs, urn burials will likely become a common choice for those seeking cost-effective and sustainable ways to memorialize loved ones. 

Sources

“Guide to green burial – A natural approach to funerals.” Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage. https://www.lhlic.com/consumer-resources/green-burial/#option 

“Urns for burial: What you need to know about burying ashes.” Urns Northwest. https://urnsnw.com/articles/urns-for-burial 

“Statistics”. National Funeral Directors Association. https://nfda.org/news/statistics 

“How much does a funeral cost?” Lincoln Funeral Heritage Association. https://funeraladvantage.com/consumer-resources/average-funeral-cost/ 

“How Much Does Cremation Cost?”. Choice Mutual. https://choicemutual.com/blog/cremation-cost/ 

A keepsake urn is a specialized urn designed to hold a small amount of a loved one’s cremated remains, commonly referred to as cremains or ashes. Keepsake urns are often preferred over traditional urns if the ashes will be distributed among multiple individuals, such as family members or close friends. The smaller size of keepsake urns makes it easy to provide several tokens of remembrance to those who are grieving the loss of a loved one. They are also a convenient option for those who intend to travel with their loved one’s ashes. 

People are often interested in keepsake urns since they serve as a tangible memorial for their loved ones. While many will choose to keep clothing or other items associated with the person who died, sometimes having an urn provides an additional way to maintain a sense of closeness. Although they are not quite the same as display urns, some people maintain keepsake urns in the privacy of their home. Others opt for burial or storage in a columbarium, which is a designated space for the interment of cremains. Columbariums often share space with or are located near mausoleums; they may be a room, a wall, or even an entire building. 

Keepsake urns are available in a wide array of colors, styles, and designs to make it easier for grieving individuals to memorialize their loved ones in a meaningful and personal manner. Many keepsake urns are designed to look like traditional urns, but others may look like a pendant or a keychain. These types of keepsake urns differ from other memorial items, such as Parting Stones or cremation jewelry which utilize cremains but aren’t classified as urns. 

Among the various types of urns available, each offers its own unique benefits and significance in the memorialization process. The choice between a traditional urn and a keepsake urn is a matter of personal preference. Neither option is superior to the other, and both options can provide a sense of comfort and meaning as they serve as a tangible reminder of a loved one. 

Sources 

“What you need to know about keepsake urns”. Memories. Retrieved from https://memories.net/blog/all-you-need-to-know-about-keepsake-urns 

“Parting Stone.” Retrieved from https://partingstone.com/ 

“Mourning Jewelry Leaves the Victorian Era Behind”. New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/26/fashion/jewelry-mourning.html 

A biodegradable urn is an environmentally friendly alternative to a traditional cremation urn that is designed to break down, or biodegrade, as time progresses. Since these urns are made from natural materials, they leave a minimal carbon footprint, if any, during the biodegrading process. Similar to traditional urns, biodegradable urns are available in a variety of sizes and styles, making them a suitable alternative for the display or remembrance of a loved one. 

Biodegradable urns are made of many different natural materials. Common options include paper, cardboard, sand, salt, wood fibers, bamboo, and various plant materials. Some urns are even made from coconut shells or wool fiber. The type of material used for the urn can determine under what conditions and the length of time it will take to biodegrade. Some materials will biodegrade more quickly than others, depending on how they are stored and used. For example, urns that are made of plant materials will typically remain durable above ground but will begin to biodegrade if they are exposed to water or buried. Paper urns are more fragile and typically need to be laminated to slow the biodegrading process.

As mentioned, the length of time associated with biodegrading can vary based on the material used for the urn. Salt and sand urns can last for years when they’re above ground, but will dissolve in the ground in a matter of hours due to their material. When paper urns are buried, they biodegrade within 2 to 6 weeks. Wood urns are typically the most durable and can take many years to degrade in the soil. Urns that are designed for water burial are often made of plant materials and can start to biodegrade very quickly once they come in contact with the water.

Although biodegradable urns are designed to break down over time when exposed to specific conditions, they typically have comparable durability to traditional urns if they are not exposed to natural elements such as water or soil. This means that they can be displayed on a mantle or similar area of your household without biodegradation. Additionally, biodegradable urns can be used for green cremations or water burials, whereas traditional urns typically cannot. They are a meaningful option for honoring the memory of a loved one while remaining environmentally conscious and mindful of the natural cycle of life and death. 

Sources

“2025 Comprehensive Guide to Biodegradable Urns”. The Living Urn. https://www.thelivingurn.com/blogs/news/biodegradable-urns-a-comprehensive-guide 

“What is a biodegradable urn for ashes?” One World Memorials. https://www.oneworldmemorials.com/blogs/news/18694667-what-is-a-biodegradable-urn-for-ashes 

“Biodegradable Urns: What you Need to Know”. In the Light Urns. https://inthelighturns.com/blog/biodegradable-urns-what-you-need-to-know 

First, know that buying a cremation urn isn’t strictly necessary. If you’re going to scatter all of your loved one’s ashes, you can do so from the temporary container provided by the funeral home. However, most people choose to keep at least a portion of their loved ones’ cremation ashes, either in the family home or in a niche in a columbarium. In that case, you will need to select a cremation urn or urns. You will also need an urn if you plan to bury the ashes in a cemetery. 

This is a very personal decision, so take your time to make up your mind.

As you think about cremation urns, the first consideration is how large of an urn you will need. Most commercially available urns are a standard 200 cubic inches, which is large enough to accommodate the ashes of most adults. However, if more than one family member would like to keep some portion of the ashes, you can purchase several “sharing” size urns, which range from 50 cubic inches to 100 cubic inches in size. (This is also the size urn you will need for a child). You may also want to consider purchasing several “keepsake” urns, which are sized to hold just a small amount of the ashes. These are often a good choice when the ashes will be scattered but loved ones want to hold on to a small amount as a memento. You can also purchase keepsake urn jewelry that holds a tiny amount of cremation ash to give to friends and family following a scattering ceremony.

Once you have decided on the size and number of urns you need, you will want to think about the kind of urn you want and how much it will cost. Cremation urns vary greatly in price — they can be as inexpensive as $30 or as costly as $2,000 or even more. Much of the cost depends on the material you choose, how customized the urn is, and whether you buy it off the shelf or have it custom-made. As you make this decision, consider where you will store the urn. If you plan to display it in your home, you may wish to purchase a decorative urn that costs a little bit more than an urn you would place in a niche in a columbarium or bury in a cemetery. A number of retailers also offer a line of “ecologically friendly” urns made of biodegradable materials that will break down easily in water or soil. If you’re planning to bury the ashes or scatter them over water, these are excellent choices. 

You can also make your own urn. Check out this tutorial from Urns Online for ideas.