Urn
Urn
An urn is a container designed to hold the cremated remains (ashes) of a person after cremation. Urns come in a wide variety of materials, sizes and styles, ranging from simple and practical to highly decorative.
Common materials include:
- Metal such as brass, aluminium and stainless steel
- Wood
- Ceramic or porcelain
- Glass
- Stone or marble
- Biodegradable materials for burial or water scattering
Most adult urns have a capacity of around 3 litres (180–220 cubic inches), although the amount of ashes depends on the person’s size.
An urn is not legally required. After cremation, the ashes simply need to be placed into a secure container. Many funeral providers, particularly those focused on giving families more choice, will supply a standard ashes container and allow families to later transfer the ashes into an urn or another meaningful container they have chosen themselves.
An urn can be used for:
- Keeping ashes at home
- Placement in a memorial niche or columbarium
- Burial in a cemetery or natural burial ground
- Temporary storage before scattering the ashes
- Dividing ashes into multiple smaller keepsake urns for family members
An urn is simply one option. The container itself doesn’t change the significance of the ashes. What matters is choosing something that feels right for the person and their family.