Cremation as a form of end-of-life service has been growing in popularity in recent years.
Many people consider this type of service a more affordable option when compared to a traditional full-service burial.
This means that there are now more ways to honor your loved ones and handle their remains with the utmost care using different types of cremation containers or urns.
With thousands of urns to choose from, you may wonder where to begin when deciding on the cremation container for your loved one.
Here are some factors to take into consideration that will guide you through the selection process.
How will the urn be used?
The main purpose of a cremation container is to hold the cremated remains of the deceased.
There are many ways, however, to proceed with the urn, depending on the wishes of the deceased or the family of the deceased.
Here are some of the typical ways in which one might want their ashes handled once they have passed away.
1. Keeping the urn at home
One way in which people tend to show honor and respect towards the memory of a loved one is to display their cremation urn in a prominent place in the home.
This provides a tangible way to preserve the memories of the deceased, with many families finding comfort in its physical presence.
A cremation urn for this purpose is often made of materials such as metal, wood, composite resin, or stone.
2. Sharing the remains amongst family members
Rather than having a single person that takes care of a loved one’s ashes, families may prefer to divide the ashes among several family members.
The ashes can be shared with two or more keepsakes.
Alternatively, you can choose to keep your loved one close to your heart by using keepsake jewelry.
3. Proceeding with a water or natural burial
For water or natural burials, you can use biodegradable urns that are made from organic or recycled materials.
These containers are designed so they can break down naturally and gradually when they come into contact with water or soil, as opposed to other containers which are designed to withstand the elements.
Urns for water burials are completely water-soluble and are made to sink and dissolve quickly.
4. Opting for an in-ground burial
For an in-ground burial, you can use either burial containers or urn vaults, which are designed to support the earth around the urn.
A burial container is often made out of steel, polymer, or polystyrene and is designed to serve as a rigid outer container for a cremation urn.
The urn itself is placed inside the burial container so that it can be preserved.
When searching for a burial container, you must consider the dimensions of the urn, as the outside container needs to have the capacity to hold the purchased urn.
You can also opt for an urn vault, which serves a dual purpose as an urn and burial container at the same time. This is often the preferred option due to its affordability and the attractive styling that makes it suitable to be displayed at the funeral service.
5. Scattering the ashes
Another common way of handling the remains of a loved one is by scattering their ashes in a place that holds prominence to them or their memory.
Scattering urns often feature a top opening that is designed to easily release the cremains (cremated remains).
After the ashes are scattered, the family can even place keepsakes or flowers inside the scattering urn.
What size does the urn need to be?
After you decide what type of cremation container you are going to choose for the cremains, you’ll need to determine the volume the urn must have to ensure it has enough space to hold your loved one’s ashes.
The volume is often measured in cubic inches. As a general rule for an adult urn, you’ll need at least one cubic inch of space for every pound of body weight before cremation.
If the measurements are very close or you’re not sure which size to choose, always opt for the larger urn.
Get a cremation container that’s right for your loved one
Ask your funeral home for advice on what urns will be most appropriate for your type of service and what containers fit your budget.
This way, you can honor your loved ones by getting a container that satisfies their last wishes and cherishes their memory.
