Click here to download a quick guide on ''Choosing a Cremation Urn in 4 Easy Steps"

Step 1: Consider the final resting place

Cremation urnshave different meanings and associations for different people. For some, they provide a way to Cherish the memory of a loved one. For others, they provide closure, to Commemorate the life of the departed. And for some, the perfect cremation urn provides a way to Celebrate the life and legacy of a loved one

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Your loved one’s remains can be preserved in an elegant cremation urn placed in a special spot in your home. This allows family members and friends an opportunity to remember that loved one and admire the decorative vessel. Metal, Marble, Cloisonné, Wood and Glass are the popular choices. Cremation Urns are available both in traditional and contemporary styles.
Many contemporary cremation urns do not look like standard cremation urns - they have unique shapes such as a shape of a bird or a heart which look more like sculptures.

Columbariums and Niches

A columbarium is a place too for storing cremation urns, so they give a specific place to visit the deceased. A niche is a recessed space in a wall or in a columbarium used to place urns containing cremated. They vary a lot in sizes. Some columbarium niches are designed for specific size urns while others may contain a double size space for two cremation urns or even larger niches for multiple urns. We advise you to check with the columbarium or niche manager to make sure that the cremation urn you choose will fit within the space and meet any other requirement they may have.

Scattering

Scattering has become an increasingly meaningful way to remember a loved one by providing the family an opportunity to choose an ideal final resting place.Scattering cremation urnsare designed for loved ones who wish their remains to be scattered. Some scattering urns are made to scatter the ashes at sea and some are better suited to scatter the ashes over land and some are suited for both.
Each state has its own laws on scattering, So as part of your planning, check local, state laws and federal laws that may apply.

Burial

Many cemeteries have urn gardens specifically designated for burying cremation urns. The burial cremation urns are interments where ashes are buried inside an urn in the ground. A small marker is typically added to the cremation urn burial plot. For burial, metal or bronze is often the material of choice. Burial cremation urns come in various sizes to contain ashes of a child, an adult, or even two people.

Step 2: Choosing the right size cremation Urn

It is very important to consider the size and dimension of the cremation urn you are purchasing. All products have these details on the product page. For a detailed size guide, please click here.

Adult Urns

Adult Urns, sometimes referred to as Standard Urns or Large Urns, are the most common urn size for adult remains. Anyone weighing less than 220 lbs or shorter than 6ft before cremation will fit in a standard adult urn

Medium Urns

Medium Urns are another popular choice for dividing ashes among family and friends. Can be used for children. Typically hold between 20 to 45 cubic inches

Keepsake Urns

Popular for dividing loved ones remains among family and friends Typically hold between 3-5 cubic inches of ashes Keepsakes come in traditional urn shapes but also tealight and cremation jewelry.

Extra Large Urns

Extra Large urns are commonly selected for people over 6 Feet tall or over 230 lbs.

Step 3: Picking Your Material

Brass & Metal Cremation Urns

Metal. Quite possibly the most common material used in cremation urns and, undoubtedly, the strongest and most resilient of all. Metal cremation urns are hardy; withstanding bumps, scrapes, and are virtually unbreakable even when dropped. They can be buried for interment in a cemetery (within a burial vault), inurnment in a columbarium, or even simply placed on a shelf within the home to keep your loved one near.

Metal cremation urns also have a wide variety of styles from classic to modern; resembling the typical urn shape most are used to, as well as cast in new and unique shapes never before seen in cremation urns such as butterflies, hearts, teddybears, etc.

Choosing a metal or brass cremation urn offers the opportunity of personalization with custom engraving, designs, and colors to better honor your loved one’s memory.

Wooden Cremation Urns

Another popular choice, wood. Choose a unique and timeless beauty in the form of one of our many classic wooden urns for ashes. Their soft, warm coloring offers a welcoming and cozy option for keeping a loved one close at home on display.

Wooden cremation urns can also be buried in the earth as a longer lasting biodegradable option which can take anywhere from 6-15 years to deteriorate, (certain stains/wood types can delay this). The ageless elegance of wooden cremation urns makes them the perfect choice to commemorate someone who had a refined and luxurious taste. Without the standard look of a metal cremation urn, these wooden box and clock urns showcase a minimal and un-intimidating design.

Marble Cremation Urn

For those looking for a classic urn in both design and material, stone and marble cremation urns are the way to go. These beautifully sculpted pieces are carved out of strong and robust stone with a durability meant to outlast generations.

Marble is the perfect combination of elegance and strength to give your loved one a permanent resting place. These cremation urns are naturally unique; the marble having its own variation of color, veining, and pattern to suit your loved one’s personality and taste. These urns also offer the option of customization, easily engraved with a name, phrase, or scripture. Choosing a stone cremation urn is a sure bet for a personal, unique, and everlasting resting place to honor and memorialize your loved one.

Biodegradable Cremation Urns

For those looking for eco-friendly options, GetUrns has a wide array of biodegradable cremation urns available. These are made from sustainably sourced materials and are constructed to gently deteriorate into the earth or water.

Scattering: Scattering Tubes in Large, Medium, and Mini sizes.

Burial: Sand & Gelatin, Paper Cremation Urns in various shapes.

Water burial: Paper Cremation Urns, Sand & Gelatin, and even Himalayan Rock Salt Cremation Urns in Large, Medium, and Keepsake sizes.

These moldable materials also offer a variety of cremation urn shapes from traditional scattering tubes to molded paper turtles, hearts, and shells. All biodegradable cremation urns can be chosen with your loved one’s personality in mind with floral designs, ocean/forest scenes, and patriotic flags to honor their memory even more.

Step 4: Personalization of Cremation Urns

At GetUrns, we understand the importance of personalization when it comes to your loved ones final resting place. Custom engraving helps honor and identify loved ones in a unique and meaningful way. For detailed instructions on Personalization, please click here.

Common Phrases on Cremation Urns

Similar to date formats, you can choose different kinds of phrases for engraving to commemorate your loved one. Personalization options vary from phrases like "In Loving Memory Of" before the name to some quote or even a joke that reminds you of the time shared with your loved one. Our team of designers are always happy to provide personalization suggestions and ideas in order to make the urn truly unique and special . We have listed below, some commonly used phrases for reference.

Forever in our Hearts / Always in our Hearts

Forever Loved / Always Loved

Rest in Peace

Beloved (Mother, Father, Brother, etc.)

In (Loving) Memory of

Date Formats

Based on the size and type of the cremation urn, the dates can be written in different styles and formats. The rule of thumb is very simple, the larger the size of the urn, more characters it can fit. For example, a full sized Adult Cremation urn can fit the entire Months (Eg, January, February etc.) but a Keepsake can only fit Years (Eg, 1934-2019 etc.). Below are some common date formats.

1/11/1947 - 10/23/2016

1/11/47 - 10/23/16

September 21, 1921 - February 3, 2008

1921 - 2008

Fonts Choices

At GetUrns, we provide our customers 4 fonts to choose from for personalization. One of the most popular font among our customers is 'Script'. Times is also a popular choice. Our engraving department is always happy to suggest what font looks better on which cremation urn. We are also open to your Custom Font Requests provided that it would be visible on the selected cremation urn

Artwork

We have a large selection of artwork that can be engraved on our products. To see all the artwork, please click on the link below.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Custom Cremation Urns

What materials can a custom creation urn be made of?

GetUrns’ custom urns can be made from ceramic, metal, stone, brass, wood or paper. Personalized Jewelry Urns can be made from sterling silver, gold or gold-plated metal, brass, rhodium and stainless steel.

Can we choose what the type of artwork and the engraving on a custom cremation urn?

Our artisans are compassionate and skilled and can help you create exactly what you want in terms of design, artwork and engraved sayings for your beloved’s personalized urn.

Will a custom cremation urn last a lifetime?

Rest assured that any type of custom urn you create with GetUrns will provide the quality craftmanship, durability and style of any of our ready-made cremation urns.