Keepsake urns for ashes: how families share remains

What a keepsake urn holds

Keepsakes are typically 3 to 50 cubic inches. A 5 cubic inch keepsake holds a few tablespoons; a 50 cubic inch mini urn holds roughly a quarter of an average adult's remains.

There is no rule about how much each person takes. Families often decide by what feels right rather than by measurement.

Dividing remains at home

This can be done at home with a small funnel and a sheet of paper on a flat surface, or a funeral director will do it for you, usually at no charge if they handled the cremation.

Work slowly, over a tray. Fill each keepsake, seat the lid, and check that any threaded closure is fully seated before moving the piece.

Choosing keepsakes that match the main urn

Buying the keepsakes in the same stone as the full-size urn keeps the set coherent when the family gathers. Our marble and granite keepsakes are cut from the same quarried material as their full-size counterparts.

Travelling with a keepsake

Small stone urns are dense and cannot be screened by X-ray, so for air travel place the portion in a temporary non-metallic container and transfer it once you arrive. Check the airline's policy and the destination country's rules before flying.

Common questions

How much ash fits in a keepsake urn?

Between about one tablespoon and a quarter of an adult's remains, depending on capacity — keepsakes run from 3 to 50 cubic inches.

Is it acceptable to divide ashes?

Yes, and it is common. Some faiths prefer remains stay together, so check if that matters to your family.

How many keepsakes do families usually buy?

Two to four alongside one main urn is the most common arrangement.

What can I do with a keepsake urn?

Keep it on a shelf, in a memory box, or beside a photo. Some families place one with each sibling and bury or scatter the rest.

Do keepsake urns come as a set?

You can order several of the same design and stone so the set stays matched. Call us and we will confirm stock across pieces before you order.

Sources and further reading

• TSA — Travelling with cremated remains

  Screening rules for carrying an urn through airport security.

• Cremation Association of North America

  Industry body for cremation statistics and practice standards.