One of the most daunting tasks you will face following a loved one’s death is deciding what to do with the cremated remains. We’re here to guide you through this process and help you find an urn that symbolizes both your love for the departed and your acknowledgement of their passing.
Which urn should you get? If you’re not sure how to decide, we’ve provided some helpful considerations in our article. Our guide will equip you with all the information you need to make a decision that is right for you.
1. Pick the final resting place
Before you choose which cremated urn to buy, it’s best to talk with the departed’s family about where they would like their loved one to be laid to rest. The family may want the urn at home for a constant reminder of their loved one – or they may also choose to bury it in a columbarium dedicated to cremated ashes. Be sure you know where you want your loved ones mailed if they were living overseas when they passed away. If you prefer, scattering ashes can also be an option ~ but please contact law enforcement before doing anything crazy!
Burying an urn
If you have decided to bury the cremation urn, then you should note that there are many style types available. It is important to find one that will stand the test of time and weather to ensure it does not fall apart over time. Be sure to ask if the urn will be durable enough to withstand burial for months at a time.
Almost any type of urn can be placed inside an urn vault before being buried. However, marble urns are a common choice of material for urn burials because you won’t have to worry about the color fading on this type.
Spreading of the Ashes
Most cremation sites enclose the cremated remains in a disposable wooden box after the process. You can opt to use this one prior to scattering the ashes, or pick any less expensive urns that you may prefer. Since you won’t be keeping the cremated remains, it’s best to opt for something temporary and cost-effective.
For Display at Home
The first thing you should consider while purchasing an urn is the size. For a cremation urn set that will be placed in a home, it’s important to designate the space the urn will take up and make sure to avoid locations with potential accidents.
Urns have proven to have a powerful ability to comfort mourning families. Some claim they can feel their loved ones’ warmth emanating from the urns.
In order to feel a stronger connection, commissioning a special display for urns is the best course of action.
2. Pick the correct urn size
One of the most important aspects of choosing an urn is understanding what the dimensions are. When there’s chaos and sorrow, it’s easy to make mistakes. You could either buy an urn that is too small to house all of your loved one’s ashes or purchase one that is too large for where you would like to place the urn. To avoid this mistake, we recommend clarifying the allowed dimensions with your specialist before making a decision. The age of the person who has passed on will also affect what type of urn you should buy – make sure you factor that in when deciding which urn to purchase for your loved one.
Capacity of the Urn
As a general rule of thumb, it is best to opt for an Adult cremation urn which can contain about 200 lbs or less by the time the departed has been cremated. However, if you would prefer to split up the cremated remains among family members, then a medium sized urn will be perfect. However, if your departed loved one is quite large in build, then an extra large urn may be ideal for someone who is over six feet tall (about 1.83 meters.) For those who want a small memento of their loved one without having to hold on to the full weight of their ashes, there are also keepsake cremation urns that can contain very small amounts of remains in portable containers like keepsake necklaces.
3. Based on the style and substance, create a shortlist of your potential urn options
There are many types of materials for urns, such as marble or wood. One of the first considerations is the physical appearance: some people prefer traditional marble designs, while others prefer decorative laser-cut brass.
4. Customize the urn
One great way to honor the memory of a loved one is to personalize their urn. You can engrave their name or any other messages that capture the spirit and life of your loved one. If you’re looking for an urn in a specific color, we recommend choosing one that reflects his or her favorite color. After all, this will be their reminder and finding the perfect urn will help you to send him or her off with the perfect goodbye.
You may discover the perfect urn for your loved one if you simply follow the four steps we provided above! Urns come in a wide range of designs and materials, so you will never lack for options. Simply remember these four simple instructions, and you will be able to stay trouble-free.