Short answer: Choose the urn after you decide where the ashes will go: home, a niche, a burial plot, scattering or travel. That decision sets the size, material and strength you need. Ask your provider or the manufacturer about capacity, and check cemetery rules before you buy anything.
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Who is this for?
- Families who want to keep ashes at home, in a family spot, or in a cemetery niche or plot.
- People planning to scatter ashes who want a temporary container or a biodegradable one.
- Relatives who want to share a small portion of ashes in a keepsake urn.
How do I choose urns?
- Start with the plan. Keeping, burying, placing in a niche, scattering and travelling each call for a different urn.
- Pick the material for the plan. Wood, metal, ceramic and stone suit keeping or placement. Materials designed to break down in soil or water suit burial or scattering.
- Match the type to the number of people. A full-size urn holds all the ashes. Keepsake urns hold a small portion. Companion urns are made for two people.
- Get capacity from the source. Sellers list capacity in cubic inches. How much a person needs depends on the individual, so ask your provider or the manufacturer rather than relying on a rule of thumb you read online.
- Check the opening. Some urns are sealed by the seller or the provider, and some need a screw, a plate or an adhesive.
What types and materials are there?
| Type | Often used for | Things to check |
|---|---|---|
| Full-size urn | Keeping all the ashes at home or placing them in a niche | Stated capacity, outside dimensions, how it closes |
| Keepsake urn | Sharing a small portion among family | That the capacity is clear and the closure is secure |
| Companion urn | Two people placed together | Whether it holds two portions and how it is divided |
| Biodegradable urn | Burial in soil or scattering on water or land | Where it may be used, how long it takes to break down |
| Temporary container | Holding ashes until a final decision | Usually supplied by the provider; ask what comes with the service |
Common materials include wood, metal, ceramic or clay, stone, glass, and materials made to break down. Look for a plain description of what the urn is made of. If a seller will not say, move on.
What do cemeteries and niches require?
Rules differ by cemetery and columbarium. Some set size limits for a niche. Some require a container inside the grave. Some restrict materials. Call the cemetery before you buy and ask for the rules in writing.
- Maximum outside dimensions for the niche or plot.
- Whether an outer container is required for burial.
- Any rules on materials, engraving or decoration.
Can I scatter ashes or fly with them?
Rules for scattering depend on the place. Private land needs the owner's permission, and public land often needs a permit. For flying, the TSA says the container must be able to pass through X-ray screening. Check TSA and airline guidance before you travel. See our guide on what to do with ashes for more options.
What should I ask a seller?
- What is the capacity in cubic inches, and how was it measured?
- What exactly is it made of, and is any part plated or painted?
- Will it pass airport X-ray screening if I need to travel?
- How is it closed, and can it be opened later?
- What is the return and exchange policy, and who pays shipping to return it?
- When will it arrive, and is there a rush fee?
What are the red flags?
- Urgency language such as a countdown or a claim that stock is almost gone.
- No stated capacity, or a capacity that changes between pages.
- No clear description of the material or finish.
- No visible return policy, or a refusal to accept returns on unengraved items.
- Claims that a provider must use the urn they sell. Ask your provider what the rules actually are.
How much should I expect to spend?
Urns range from simple and inexpensive to ornate and costly. Price usually follows material, size and craftsmanship. A plain, well-made urn serves the same purpose as an elaborate one. Compare total cost including shipping and any engraving, and never feel you owe a larger purchase to honor the person.
Frequently asked questions
How big should an urn be?
Ask your provider or the manufacturer. Capacity depends on the individual, and sellers list it in cubic inches. Do not guess from a rule you saw online.
Do I have to buy an urn from the funeral home?
No. You can usually choose where to buy one. Check the cemetery's rules if the urn will be placed in a niche or plot, and ask your provider what they accept.
Can I take an urn on a plane?
The TSA requires a container that can pass through X-ray screening. Check current TSA and airline guidance before you fly.
Is a biodegradable urn allowed everywhere?
No. Cemeteries and public lands set their own rules. Ask the cemetery or land manager before you choose one.
What keepsakes can be made from a loved one's ashes?
Several kinds of keepsakes can be made from a small portion of ashes, and many families choose them as a personal way to remember a loved one. Options include jewelry, glass art, keepsake urns, memorial stones, and pressed or sealed pieces. A small amount of ashes is usually enough. Funeral Clear does not manufacture or sell memorial products at this time, and this page is for information and referral only. What to ask: ask any artist or maker how much of the ashes they need, how the item is made, and how the ashes are handled and returned.
Can ashes be made into jewelry?
Yes, a small amount of cremated remains can be sealed in or incorporated into jewelry such as pendants, rings, or bracelets. Some designs hold ashes in a small chamber, while others blend them into glass or resin. Prices vary widely by material and craftsmanship. Funeral Clear does not make or sell jewelry, and we provide information only. What to ask: ask the maker how the ashes are handled, whether you can send a small amount or deliver them in person, what is returned to you, and what the return and repair policies are.
Can ashes be turned into glass art?
Yes, some artists blend a small amount of cremated remains into molten glass to make paperweights, ornaments, orbs, or sculptures. Each piece is handmade, so patterns and colors vary, and no two are exactly alike. Turnaround can take several weeks, depending on the artist's schedule. The ashes are mixed or encased, and the amount needed is usually small. Funeral Clear does not make or sell glass memorials, and this answer is for information only. What to ask: ask the artist how much ashes are needed, how they track and protect the remains, and what happens if a piece breaks during production.
How can ashes be shared among family members?
Ashes can be divided among relatives, and many families do this so that several people have a keepsake. A funeral home or crematory can often portion the ashes into several small keepsake urns, or you can do it carefully at home with a clean scoop and sealed containers. Discuss the plan with all family members before dividing, since this step cannot be undone and relatives may feel strongly about it. Label each container clearly. What to ask: ask the provider whether they offer this service and what it costs, and ask whether any local rules affect keeping or transporting portions of ashes.
How do I choose a trustworthy maker of memorial keepsakes?
A trustworthy maker will explain clearly how they handle ashes, what they charge, and what you will receive. Look for clear pricing, written policies for chain of custody, return of unused ashes, and a way to contact them by phone or email. Reviews can help, but check more than one source. Be cautious of any maker that pressures you or is unclear about shipping or insurance. What to ask: ask how the ashes are tracked, how long production takes, what the warranty is, and what happens if you are not satisfied. Funeral Clear does not make these items.
Is 3D printing a memorial safe and private?
3D printed memorials, such as a small figure or a model of a hand or face, can be meaningful, but privacy deserves a few questions. A provider may use photos, scans, or measurements, and those files could be stored or shared. Ask before you send anything. Some products may also include a small amount of ashes mixed into material. Funeral Clear does not produce 3D printed memorials, and this is information only. What to ask: ask what data the provider collects, how long it is kept, whether it is deleted on request, and whether it is used for any other purpose.