5 Simple Steps to Select the Perfect Urn

Step 1 — Decide how the urn will be used

Everything else follows from this. An urn kept at home, an urn buried in a plot, an urn placed in a columbarium niche, and an urn used for scattering are all different purchases.

If the urn is going into a cemetery or columbarium, ask the cemetery office first — most have rules on the size and material they will accept.

Step 2 — Get the size right

The standard rule is one cubic inch of urn capacity for each pound of healthy body weight. Most adults need roughly 180–220 cubic inches.

A keepsake holds only a small portion of ashes, and is what families use when several people each want to keep something.

Step 3 — Choose the material

Urns are made in wood, ceramic, granite, copper, bronze, brass, glass, porcelain and marble. Each behaves differently over time.

Our own selection is made only from natural marble and granite — beautiful, yet resilient enough to stand the test of time. Because the stone is natural, no two vessels are ever the same, just as we are all our own individuals.

Step 4 — Pick a design that fits the person

Some families want something quiet and plain. Others want the urn to say something about the person — a nature theme for someone who loved the outdoors, a religious or veteran design, or a companion urn for a couple.

If the urn will sit in a living room, look at it as a piece you will see every day, not just as a container.

Step 5 — Set your budget before you shop

Urns vary enormously in price. Deciding a range first keeps the decision from becoming overwhelming at an already difficult moment.

Memory Cremation Urns is committed to helping you choose the right urn at a comparable price, without compromising quality. Celebrate and remember your loved one with the elegance, beauty and dignity they deserve.

We are here if you need help

Email contact@memoryurns.com or call (877) 281-0752 if you have any questions or need help selecting a unique cremation urn. We understand this is a difficult time; we are here for you.

Common questions

What size urn do most adults need?

Around 180–220 cubic inches. The rule of thumb is one cubic inch per pound of healthy body weight.

Which urn material lasts longest?

Natural stone. Marble and granite hold up indoors and outdoors far better than wood or ceramic, which is why our range is stone only.