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Cremation Urns

Find helpful information on frequently asked questions about shopping and using cremation urns including urn styles, filling information and sizing. 

How do I know what size urn I should buy?

Choosing the correct size urn is as simple as looking at the 'Volume' information shown in product pages. The volume will show how many cubic inches the urn will hold. For example, a 150 lb individual at time of cremation will produce approximately 150 cubic inches of cremains. This means there will be 1 cubic inch of cremains for every 1 pound at time of cremation. Pets and urns for infants/children do come with some additional considerations and we have included those below.

Individual Urns: When purchasing an individual urn (an urn entire to hold the entire cremains of an individual) you should choose a size that is at least equal to their body weight. If a person weighs 150 lbs you will want to select an urn no smaller then 150 cubic inches. If there is additional room left in the urn many choose to add additional mementos like notes, photos, trinkets and more. View selection of cremation urns.

Keepsake or Sharing Urns: Many families also choose to purchase keepsakes which will hold a small portion of the cremains. Keepsakes are normally used with an individual urn so multiple family members can have a special memento of their loved ones. Most keepsake urns are about 3 cubic inches and for comparison, will hold about 1-2 tablespoons of cremains. View selection of keepsake urns.

Companion Urns / Double Urns: Companion urns are frequently used when a couple wants to have their cremains together. These larger urns will typically accommodate 400-450 cubic inches. Some larger individuals over 230 lbs may require these larger urns as well. The capacity of the urn should be no less than the combined healthy weight of each adult prior to cremation. View selection of companion urns.

Child/Infant Urns: Special accommodations apply when purchasing an urn for an infant or small children. For infants under 10 pounds or less, an urn with a minimum of 20 cubic inches is recommended. For children 10-20 lbs or, an urn with a minimum of 30 cubic inches or more is recommended. As with individual urns, purchasing an urn larger than the minimum is perfectly acceptable. View selection of children and infant urns.

Pet Urns: When purchasing an urn for a pet it is important to consider the cremation process is completed differently and they oftentimes need a slightly larger urn than a human may at the same healthy weight. It is suggested to add an additional 10-15 cubic inches to the urn to accommodate the extra space used. So, if your pet had a healthy weight of 50 lbs. it recommended to purchase an urn that is 60-65 cubic inches in size. View selection of pet urns.

For more helpful information please see the following article: "How to Select the Right Size Cremation Urn".

How do I know what kind of urn to buy?

The primary purpose of a cremation urn, of course, is simply to hold the cremated remains of the deceased. But what will you do with the urn once it is filled with your loved one’s ashes? The answer to that question will determine the type of urn you need. To guide you in your selection, consider the following descriptions of the typical ways one might use a cremation urn:

Keeping the urn at home: Keeping the urn at home is a tangible way to preserve memories of the deceased, and many families find comfort in the physical presence of their loved one’s ashes. Urns used for this general purpose can be made of varying materials such as metal, wood, composite resin or stone.

Scattering ashes: Scattering urns feature a top opening designed to easily release the cremains. After scattering the ashes, the family may place keepsakes or flowers inside the scattering urn to memorialize their loved one.

Water or natural burial: Biodegradable urns made from organic and recycled materials are designed to break down naturally when water or soil are introduced, rather than withstand the elements. Urns designed for water burials are completely water-soluble and made to sink and dissolve quickly. Another type of biodegradable urn is designed for land use, and may be buried in earth, displayed in the home, or inurned in a columbarium.

Columbarium niche inurnment: Size is the most important consideration when choosing an urn for a columbarium niche. Be sure to find out the dimensions (height, width and depth) of the niche and choose an urn that will fit within that space. Another consideration is the material in which the urn is made from. Many mausoleums and cemeteries have guidelines that must be followed for what they will and will not allow in their facilities.

In-ground Burial: Most urns are not meant to be directly buried as they will not support the weight of the earth around it when covered. Burial containers and urn vaults are designed to support the earth around the urn and keep the ground from sinking at the burial site. The use of a burial container ensures safety and protection of an urn of any material of urn to be buried. When searching for a burial container, the inside urn dimensions are very important to consider to ensure the outside container will have the capacity to hold the purchased urn. Urn vaults serve a dual purpose as both an urn and burial container. Many families favor urn vaults for their affordability, and the attractive styling of urn vaults makes them suitable for display as well as burial.

How do I move cremains into an urn?

For a full explanation of how to move the cremains from one container to another, please see our article, “How to Choose the Right Cremation Urn.

When you receive the cremains from the crematorium, they will typically be inside a plastic bag in a temporary urn. We strongly recommend that you leave all of the ashes inside the bag, and simply place it inside your new cremation urn. This will minimize the risk of spillage or loss. If you are uncomfortable making the transfer yourself, ask the crematorium or a local funeral home if they can help. Most funeral professionals will be happy to help. We also recommend checking with local regulations before transferring cremains.

Can Perfect Memorials put cremains into my urn?

Perfect Memorials does not offer a transferring of cremains service. We recommend that families bring cremains to a local funeral home or crematory if they are uncomfortable transferring ashes on their own.

I have extra cremains. What should I do with them?

If there are any remaining cremains, a keepsake urnscattering urn, or cremation jewelry is recommended.

How do I open/close an urn?

We have urns of varying designs and each varies on how it is opened/closed.  In general, urns open in one of the following ways: threaded lid, bottom or back opening plate with screws/toggle or a threaded plug on the bottom of the urn. We do our best to include information in each product listing on our website as to how an urn will open for your convenience. If a description does not identify the opening type please feel free to contact us.

    Can I bring an urn from Perfect Memorials to a funeral home?

    Absolutely. You can purchase an urn at our site and bring it to a funeral home. According to the FTC Funeral Rule, consumers have the right to choose the funeral goods and services you want. It is against the law for a funeral home to charge you any additional handling fees or refuse to accept products purchased from another supplier. 

    How do I apply the plaque for my Heavenly Creations Urn?

    Our Heavenly Creations Cremation Urn line is filled with many beautiful, highly-detailed memorial urns. The optional custom plaque will be shipped with your urn but will not come attached. Use our easy-to-follow application instructions to add this personal touch to your urn in seconds. See the video below!

    How long will it take for my urn to arrive?

    Each of our urns does vary in the time it will take for the urn to leave the Perfect Memorials facility but generally they will get sent out within 0-2 business days. On each product listing, within the 'Product Information' section (below the photos), will be a field called 'Availibility'. This will tell you how long the item will take to leave our warehouse, then from there, the shipping time will depend on the method you choose at checkout. It is important to consider that all of these estimates are based on busienss days (Monday-Friday only). 

    Do you offer engraving examples?

    Many of our personalized urn offer the option for a paid engraving example. If you choose this service, our specialists will create a mock-up of your engraving and email it to you within 24-business hours. This will allow you to review the text and make any changes you wish to see. Do note, the engraving will not be displayed on the product you purchase, rather it is meant to give you an idea of fonts, verbiage and layouts chosen. We will not process your order until your approval is received, your satisfaction is important!