Guide to Choosing the Right Cremation Urn
Updated December 30, 2022.
Choosing the right end-of-life passage for your loved one is a difficult choice, as there are many factors to consider. An option that's gained increasing popularity over the past few years due to its flexibility and affordability is cremation, which is the process of incinerating the body of the deceased in an industrial furnace (cremation chamber), reducing it to ashes and bone fragments also known as cremains.
A special and meaningful way to house the cremains is to place them in a beautiful urn that represents your loved one and allows you to commemorate them. For example, choosing the right urn for your beloved mother can be an overwhelming task since there are many urns to choose from, but making your pick based on her personality and the urn's functionality will narrow down your choice. To assist you in this process, we've put together everything you need to know about choosing the right cremation urn.
Types of Urns
The first step in choosing the right urn is deciding on what type of urn you need. There are various types of urns, so you have to consider your specific needs and preferences to make sure you settle on the right choice. To help you decide, we've listed the common urn types and their characteristics below.
Individual Urns
An individual urn like Trupoint's Silver Linings Lavender Cremation Urn is the most traditional type of urn. Individual urns are designed to house the cremains of one average-sized person, so their capacity is around 200 to 250 cubic inches. There are also extra-large individual urns available that can hold around 225 to 400 cubic inches. These typically range in price from $90–$100 for a normal urn to $130–$170 for an extra-large urn.
Companion Urns
Companion urns are made to house the ashes of two people, usually a couple. Their ashes can either be commingled in one urn, or the companion urn can come with two chambers to keep the ashes separate. Companion urns allow between 380 and 500 cubic inches of cremains. Depending on the material of the urn, they cost anywhere between $200 and $1,250.
Outdoor Urns
Outdoor urns are made from more robust materials like stone or metal as they are designed to remain beautiful and intact even after many years of outdoor exposure. These are the same size as our individual urns, coming either in large or extra-large, like this Majestic Extra Large Dark Blue Cremation Urn. Our durable metal urns are available at around $100.
Custom-Made Urns
Custom urns are personalized to reflect the personality or interests of the loved one whose ashes they contain. They can vary in shape, design, and size, and can also be created in the shape of vehicles, objects, or other items that were important to the deceased. Your custom-made urn can either be a keepsake urn or a traditional individual urn, in which case the size and prize would be within the range for individual urns mentioned above.
Keepsake Urns
Keepsake urns are a lot smaller than standard urns. They're specifically designed to house a small portion of cremains, generally from 1 to 6 cubic inches, and are just under 3 inches tall. Their shapes and design vary greatly, and they're often customized for loved ones. There are many choices for keepsake urns to cherish your loved ones, and the prices for these delicate urns range from $40 for one keepsake urn to $70 for a set of four like this set of Tree of Life White Small Keepsake Urns.
What Is the Best Material for Urns?
Before deciding on the best material for your urn, you must decide on the urn's function and where it will be placed once it's filled with your beloved's cremains. For example, if you plan on keeping the urn in your home, it's important to choose a durable urn made of materials that will last for decades so it can be preserved for generations to come. However, if you're planning an outdoor memorial service, you can opt for a biodegradable option that's environmentally friendly while still providing for a beautiful memorial.
Typically and due to their durability, urns have traditionally been made of metals like brass. Other metals are available today, like stainless steel and aluminum which guarantee protection against the elements and can be kept indoors or outdoors.
The Most Common Urn Materials
When making your choice, keep in mind the following common urn materials:
- Brass – a fantastic urn material choice
- Aluminum
- Stainless steel
Our urns at Trupoint Memorials come in two high-quality materials: brass and aluminum. Both are incredibly durable and suitable both for keeping indoors and for outdoor burials. They only differ in terms of their weight, with aluminum being the lighter metal.
Non-Metal Urn Materials
If metal isn't your material of choice, you can also settle on urns made from the following:
- Ceramic
- Porcelain
- Marble
- Glass
- Crystal
- Stone
- Wood
- Fiber cellulose
- Resin
- Plastic
- Leather
- Bronze
Parting Words
Choosing the right urn is a difficult yet personal decision your family must make if not specified by the deceased. Considering all the different options to choose from, it's important to ensure your choice honors your loved one in the best possible way to ensure their legacy lives on for years to come.
