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We will be closed Wednesday, November 27 through Friday, November 29.

6 Minute Guide to Choosing a Cremation Urn


6 Minute Guide to Choosing a Cremation Urn

Searching for and ultimately selecting a cremation urn for a finally resting place of a loved one can be difficult. We understand that; for the past 19 years we have talked to grieving family members every day. We have created this 6-minute guide to choosing a cremation urn to help simplify this process for you and hopefully answer some of your questions.

If at any time you would like to speak to a member of our team to answer any further questions you have, give us at call at 866-516-1296 during weekday business hours (8:30-4:30 Monday-Thursday and 8:30-1:30 on Fridays) and we'll be glad to help. Over the weekend, leave us a message or send us an email. Sometimes talking to someone can help to simplify the process for you.

1.  Are you looking for a cremation urn for...

  1. One adult (continue to #2)

  2. Two adults: See our companion urns

  3. Child or Infant: We have those urn collections here

  4. Dog, Cat or Pet: To see all our pet urn products click here or continue to #2

  5. To hold just a portion of a person's ashes: See keepsake urns

  6. Click here to see all size categories of cremation urns.

2.  How much did the individual or pet weigh?

Most adult cremation urns have a capacity of 200 cubic inches and will accommodate the average size adults' ashes. Most pets urns are obviously smaller. All cremation urns use cubic inches as the standard unit of volume measurement. A general rule is that 1 lb of body weight (when the individual/pet was healthy) will equal about 1 cubic inch of cremated remains. For example, a 200 lb person will need an urn that holds approximately 200 cubic inches. The same calculation applies to pets as well.

  1. 200 lbs. or less person: A standard size adult urn will work great: Adult urns

  2. 200+ lbs. person: Use our What size urn do I need? calculator to determine the capacity of the urn you need.

  3. For pet urns click here and remember to use the pets healthy weight for any calculations.

3.  Where do you plan to display your cremation urn?

  1. Urn will be displayed in the home. The majority of our urns and memorials are perfect for display around your home.

  2. Urn will be placed in a niche or columbarium. The size of the niche or columbarium will determine the size of the urn. Remember the external measurements of the urn need to be sized appropriately with the corresponding niche.  We can help you find the right size urns if none of our selections fit your specific needs. Here are some niche specific urns that will fit in most size columbariums or niches (but others may fit too)

  3. Ground burial. Any urn can be buried in the ground. Some cemeteries and other private lots will have their own requirements for burying urns.  Some will require that the urn goes into a protective urn vault, but most places will allow a marble or granite urn to be buried without a vault. If you are interested in eco-friendly biodegradable urns for burial we can assist you with this type of urn as well.

  4. Scattering the ashes. Scattering cremation urns are better for spreading ashes than other creation urns.  We offer some water scattering urns, which biodegrade when placed in water so that a breeze will not scatter the remains everywhere. (link to scattering urns)

4.  Do you prefer a specific material?

  1. No Preference: We can help you find what fits best your preferences. Please contact us.

  2. Wood: Browse our wood products or you can specific types of wood by using our Search tool

  3. Ceramic: Browse our ceramic products

  4. Metal: Browse our metal products

  5. Stone and Cultured Stone: Browse our stone products

  6. Glass: Browse our glass products

  7. I am not sure what material I want. It is very common for customers to not have a specific material in mind.  Choosing the material you want your urn to be made out of is based on your preference as all of our urns are high quality urns.  Barring an unforeseen incident, all of types of cremation urns will ensure a lifelong memorial while protecting the remains. For detailed information regarding specific materials used for your cremation urn, please contact us.

5.  Do you have a specific theme in mind?

  1. Yes - fantastic. Use our search tool to find themes or styles...or please contact us.

  2. I am looking for something custom that I haven’t seen anywhere: We can help. We specialize in personalizing urns. Please contact us and we can point you in the right direction

  3. All my questions have been answered. If you need to contact us for any other reason, please click here.

6.  Want to know what we would recommend to our family members?

So glad you asked.

ADULT URNS

  • The Mackenzie brand cultured marble urns come in 40 colors, can be personalized extensively if you like, and are designed to be displayed or buried. You can even have a photo either laser engraved or color uv printed.

  • Our exclusive wood Eternal Reflections line comes in 4 sizes and is very customizable with photographs, graphics, matching colors and an unlimited selection of themes

PET URNS

  • The True Companion series comes in 3 sizes and very customizable with photos, graphics, etc. It’s no mystery why these are our best sellers.

  • Our pet line of Mackenzie brand cultured marble urns come in 40 colors and can be personalized extensively. They are designed to be displayed or buried. You can even have a photo either laser engraved or color uv printed.

INFANT or CHILD URNS: Mackenzie urn (see above)