Cremation Urn Price Breakdown: How Much Does an Urn Cost?

Funeral planning involves many difficult choices. Choosing the right urn becomes the next big question once you’ve decided that you want to move forward with cremation. The cremation urn is just as important as the gravestone or casket because it serves the role of both. Finding the average cost of an urn can be perplexing. The size, material, and origin will all have a part to play in the price. We’ve broken down a few important points regarding choosing an urn to help make your decision easier.

What Are Cremation Urns Made Of?

Urns come in many different materials, and the type of material becomes particularly important if you want to display the urn in your home or plant it in the ground. Overall the material plays a huge factor in the cost of the urn because some materials are a lot more pricey than others.

Ceramic Urns

Ceramic has been the most commonly used material to build urns throughout history and is primarily decorative. They can be unique and highly attractive as they feature color variations and patterns. Ceramic urns can also be sealed to ensure the safety of your loved ones’ ashes.

However, ceramic is a fragile material, so it is best to keep the urn where it won’t be moved much or risk falling and breaking.

Wooden Urns

Wood is another material that has also been used for centuries. There are many different kinds of wooden urns available, and some of them have beautiful, delicate engravings. Hardwood urns are typically more pricey than softwood urns, and they can be made from the following woods, among others:

• Oak
• Maple
• Cedar
• Birch
• Bamboo
• Cherry
• Pine
• Hickory
• Mahogany
• Rosewood
• Koa
• Paulownia
• Poplar

Metal Urns

Metal is a solid and durable material, so metal urns can be placed indoors and outdoors, and are generally made from:

• Pewter
• Stainless steel
• Copper
• Bronze
• Brass

Glass Urns

Many glass and crystal urns are only keepsake urns, where you keep only a small portion of your loved ones’ ashes. Apart from keeping the ashes inside the glass urn, you can also have them infused into the piece itself. Glass urns come in a wide variety of colors and can make a beautiful addition to your home. Crystal urns are beautiful but are one of the more expensive urns for ashes.

Biodegradable Urns

Biodegradable urns are growing in popularity, and many different options have been developed over the past few years. Biodegradable urns don’t look like urns and are great if you’re looking for a memorable and eco-friendly memorial. These urns are many from various types of material, including recycled paper, sand, ice, cellulose fiber, and gelatin, which all decompose over time.

How Big Are Cremation Urns?

The size of the urn depends on the size of the person or pet being cremated. Urns vary in size and shape, and both of these factors affect the cost. Generally, the bigger the urn, the more expensive it will be. The easiest way to know what size you need is to take the weight of the person or pet in pounds. For example, a 20-pound dog will need about 20 cubic inches.

• Urns for adults The industry standard capacity for an urn for adult burial varies between 150 and 250 cubic inches, with the most common urn size being 200 cubic inches.
• Extra-large urns for adults The average size for an extra-large adult urn is between 300 and 350 cubic inches.
• Urns for children The size of an urn for children will be dependent on how old the child is. The general rule is one pound equals one cubic inch.
• Companion urns The purpose of a companion urn is to hold the remains of two different people, usually a couple. The volume for a companion urn is generally 380 to 500 cubic inches.
• Pet urns The size of an urn for your pet is also very dependent on their weight and species. A Great Dane will need a much larger urn than a rabbit. Use the general rule of one cubic inch for one pound.
• Keepsake Urns Keepsake urns are a lot smaller than standard urns, and the cost of a keepsake urn is also less than a standard urn. Their purpose is to hold just a small portion of the ashes. Most commonly, keepsake urns hold around 5 to 20 cubic inches of ashes.

Other Factors That Influence the Cost of an Urn

Design and Personalization

A custom-designed urn will be pricier because of the effort and artistry involved. A personalized engraving takes longer and might require special equipment. Standard urns with minimal detail will cost less because they are easier to manufacture.

Origin and Manufacturer

Some urns are imported in bulk from India and China and will cost a lot less than a handcrafted urn made locally. Every manufacturer is different and will price their urns according to the time, effort, and resources they put into making them.

The Average Costs of Different Urns

Below is the average cost of various urns based on material and size.

Ceramic urns: $100 to $550 Wooden urns: $50 to $400 Glass urns: $100 to $550 Metal urns: $50 to $300 Biodegradable urns: $50 to $350 Keepsake urns: $25 to $60 Companion Urns: $350 to $600 Pet Urns: $20 to $50

Urns are a versatile option for cremated remains. They can be made of various materials, have different shapes, be personalized, and vary in price, so you can choose the best one that suits your budget and honors your loved one.