How to Display an Urn in Your Home 

After a family member passes and the public memorial service is over, you might find yourself wondering where to put the urn. The stereotypical image of a cremation urn on a mantle may not be feasible, especially if your home doesn't have a fireplace, or maybe you want to do something a little more creative. Here are some fresh ideas you might not have considered for how to display an urn in your home:

• In a common area – The mantle is stereotypical, but for good reason. In some homes, the fireplace is still the focal point of the main living area, but if you don't have one or you're looking for something less obvious, a floating shelf on the wall above your entertainment center or a shelf within your entertainment center can work just as well. The urn can stand alone, or if your loved one was a television or movie lover, you can accent it with their favorite DVDs or a framed poster from their favorite film.
• In a window – If their favorite place at home was outside, put the urn on the windowsill or a table in front of the window that overlooks where they spent the most time. That might be a garden, a play area, or a swing under a big shade tree.
• In a sunny spot, among living plants – If your loved one had a passion for nature, placing their urn among potted plants is a thoughtful way to honor that love. A sunroom or just a location that receives plenty of sunshine can help keep their memory bright and joyful.
• In a home studio – Whether they made music, art, or crafts, displaying their urn in their favorite creative space is a beautiful way to honor their memory. You could place it on a table or shelf next to their favorite instrument or piece of art to help their legacy live on.
• Among their favorite books – For an avid reader, a great location for keeping their ashes in the house is on a bookshelf or an end table in their favorite reading nook. If you have a home office or library, even better! Surround them with their favorite titles or a collection of their favorite author's books to show you appreciate how much reading was a part of their life.
• In the bedroom – Depending on your relationship, keeping their urn in a bedroom may make the most sense right now. It's a quiet, serene space meant for peaceful slumber. If they were a spouse, you may want to be able to quietly tell them how your day went and let yourself still feel their presence in your life. If they were still a child, their own bedroom may be the best place to display their urn as you work through your grief.
• Near a wind phone – Another thoughtful location to place an urn in your home is beside a wind phone. You can make the space a designated area for everyone in the family to spend quiet time, letting your loved one know how much they are missed in daily life.
• Change it up – Depending on the time of year, you may want to move the urn around your home. For holidays, birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions, including the urn in the decorated area can help everyone feel that their memory is still alive during your most treasured moments.

When you choose to keep ashes in your home, you're honoring your loved one's memory in a special way. We hope these ideas can inspire you to display their urn in a way that is as unique as their personality.