What is a Cremation Urn

A cremation urn, simply put, is a special container for holding cremated remains. When a cremation service in Scarborough, ME, provides the ashes, they typically do so in a temporary (cardboard) container. 

Since most families don’t leave their loved ones in the container, they buy a unique urn. 

The urn can then be kept on a mantle in their home, buried in a cemetery or private grounds, or a niche in a columbarium. 

Choosing the right urn depends on the storage method. Urns come in different shapes, sizes, colors and are made from different materials. 

Common urn materials are metal, ceramic, glass, wood, and steel. Plastic, stone, and marble are also regularly used options. 

Biodegradable urns, made from materials like paper, gelatin, and cellulose fiber, have also grown in popularity. 

Now, let’s consider a couple of other facts about cremation urns. 

Key Takeaway

Cremation urns come in all shapes and sizes, from biodegradable paper ones to classic marble. You can choose between wood, glass, metal or ceramic vessels for the ashes of your loved one - whatever fits best with their personality.

An urn is nothing but a container 

We’ve explained earlier, but it bears repeating that urns are just a container for holding cremains after cremation. 

This means it can be anything of your choosing. If you’re not the sentimental type, you can keep it in a bag or coffee can. 

You also don’t have to buy. You can make yours from wood, ceramic, or paper mache. As long as you keep the ashes in a plastic bag and the urn material is strong enough to hold it. 

Alternatively, you can commission an artist to design a custom urn from any material. This is especially a good idea if you want something that matches the personality of your beloved. 

Capacity matters more than exterior measurements (or design) 

A lot of the attraction of individual urns is in their exterior—the material, texture, or design in terms of color, shape, or accent. 

However, none of these are as important as the internal size of the urn. 

Yes, the exterior gives it a decorative edge. It also informs the best placement option, but the design doesn’t determine if the urn is the right size to hold the ashes. 

An adult urn should hold, at minimum, 200 cubic inches. One pound of healthy weight equals 1 cubic inch of cremains. 

It means someone who weighs 180 pounds will require 180 cubic inches of capacity. 

But that only applies to standard urns. There are special urns to accommodate different kinds of needs. 

Couples can choose a companion urn that signifies their inseparability. These specialized urns can hold at least 400 cubic inches and may or may not come with separate compartments. 

There are also smaller urns known as keepsake urns. They vary in size, but they can be as small as one cubic inch and as high as 100 cubic inches. 

Keepsake urns come in different shapes too. There are tiny regular urns and customizable wearables like necklaces and rings. 

That covers the basics when it comes to cremation urns. You can shop for cremation urns from cremation services in Scarborough, ME, or you can buy them online. Call Cremation of Southern Maine or visit our location today for additional questions.