With many people choosing cremation in recent years, families are finding themselves in need of an urn after the death of a loved one.
Most people are emotional when they need to choose an urn, making the process feel overwhelming. The good news is that urns are no longer a one-size-fits-all burial choice. You can choose from many types of urns to pay tribute to your loved one in a meaningful way.
This guide will walk you through the various types of urns you can choose from to suit any style or need.
The Advantages of Cremation
When deciding how to lay your loved one to rest, cremation is a popular choice. Cremation is a less expensive option than a traditional burial. This is because cremation eliminates the need for a casket and embalming.
Traditional funerals embalm bodies, which use chemicals that can harm the environment. Cremation allows you to save the environment and save on cemetery space.
A cremation ceremony can be a more creative way to celebrate a loved one’s end-of-life than a burial. Friends and family can scatter the ashes at places meaningful to your loved one.
What Is a Cremation Urn
A cremation urn is designed to store your loved one’s cremated ashes. Urns are available in various materials and styles to complement any aesthetic.
Before choosing an urn design, you must first decide where to lay your loved one to rest. The many different types of ceremonies will influence the type of urn you choose.
Columbarium Niche
A columbarium niche’s sole purpose is to store cremated remains. Each niche contains an urn and various mementos from friends and relatives.
Display at Home
When it comes to displaying an urn at home, the style you choose is essential. Make sure you store your urn safely so you can enjoy it for years to come.
Scattering Ashes
Many people choose to scatter a loved one’s ashes in their final resting place instead of keeping them in an urn. If this is the route you are planning to take, choose a less expensive urn because you’ll only use it for a short time.
Burying an Urn
You can bury the urn in a cemetery like you would do with a casket. Before you bury the urn, it will go in an urn vault to keep it safe. You can perform this form of burial using almost any urn, but a stone or metal urn is the most durable to use.
Types of Urns
After you’ve selected where you will lay your loved one to rest, you’ll need to pick the urn out. Choose one that honors your loved one while also being practical to their final resting spot.
There are thousands of urn styles and materials available to fit almost any need. You can view urn choices online at sites like memorials.com to see them before you buy.
Ceramic Urns
Ceramic urns are available in a wide range of colors and styles. Because of its classic appearance, this type of urn material is one of the most popular choices. You’re sure to find one that appeals to your loved one’s specific style.
Remember that this is a delicate urn. Because ceramic urns can break, you should only keep this type on display in your home.
Metal Urns
For a durable urn, you can choose one made of metals such as brass, copper, stainless steel, pewter, and bronze. Metal urns can withstand the weather and are the best cremation urns for burial or outdoor use.
There are many colors and styles that metal urns come in. Many metal urns can come with different motifs or embellishments if you want to add a personal touch.
Quarried Urns
If you prefer a more organic feel for your loved one’s urn, a quarried urn made of natural stone is a perfect option. Quarried urns are commonly made of granite, quartz, marble, slate, alabaster, and onyx.
These urns are as attractive as they are durable, so they’re ideal for both burial and displaying in your house. Although these urns are more expensive, they are worth it because of their beauty and unique look.
Wooden Urns
A wooden urn is another eye-catching urn material option. Because of its beauty and elegance, a wood urn is an excellent choice to display in the home.
Cherry, pine, oak, maple, walnut, and poplar wood types are used to make wooden urns. Urns constructed of hardwood will cost more than those made of softwood.
Glass Urns
If you want to display your urn at home, an urn made of glass is a lovely option. Glass urns usually come hand-blown and are available in a wide range of patterns and colors. Because of how fragile they are, you should keep glass urns in a safe location.
Biodegradable Urns
Consider a biodegradable urn if you plan to bury the urn in the ground. This urn is an eco-friendly option because it is made of materials that degrade.
Biodegradable urns don’t have to be boring. You can have this type of urn painted or decorated like traditional urns.
Do you intend to bury your loved one’s urn in a body of water as a memorial? If that’s the case, biodegradable urns are available for that specific purpose.
Commemorate Your Loved One With the Perfect Urn
Although selecting an urn to honor your loved one can be difficult, you are not alone in the process. Once you know about the many types of urns, you’ll know how to pick an urn that celebrates your loved ones’ life.
Did you find our article on choosing an urn helpful? If so, check out our other home and lifestyle blogs today.