Cremation
Cremation Urns: A Complete Guide to Types, Costs, and Where to Buy
Everything you need to know about cremation urns — materials, sizes, costs, and creative alternatives for memorializing ashes.
Planning in the United States2 min read
Cremation Urns: A Complete Guide to Types, Costs, and Where to Buy
Choosing an urn is a personal decision that reflects the life and personality of your loved one. This guide covers all your options.
Types of Urns
Standard Urns (200 cubic inches)
Hold the full cremated remains of an average adult. Available in a wide range of materials and styles.
Keepsake Urns (1–50 cubic inches)
Small urns that hold a portion of the remains, allowing multiple family members to each have a memento.
Companion Urns (400+ cubic inches)
Designed for two people's remains, often chosen by couples planning ahead.
Scattering Urns
Designed to disperse ashes easily — some are water-soluble for ocean scattering.
Biodegradable Urns
Made from materials like recycled paper, salt, sand, or plant-based compounds. Ideal for eco-conscious families.
Materials and Price Ranges
| Material |
Price Range |
Best For |
| Ceramic/Pottery |
$50 – $300 |
Home display |
| Wood (oak, walnut, cherry) |
$75 – $500 |
Traditional elegance |
| Metal (brass, bronze, copper) |
$100 – $400 |
Durability |
| Marble/Stone |
$150 – $600 |
Permanent memorial |
| Glass/Art Glass |
$150 – $1,000 |
Unique artistic tribute |
| Biodegradable |
$50 – $300 |
Burial or scattering |
| Custom/Handmade |
$200 – $2,000+ |
Personalized memorial |
Creative Alternatives
Modern memorialization goes beyond traditional urns:
- Memorial jewelry — Pendants containing a small amount of ashes ($50–$500)
- Memorial diamonds — Ashes compressed into a real diamond ($3,000–$30,000)
- Reef balls — Ashes mixed into artificial reef structures placed in the ocean
- Tree pods — Bio-urns that grow into a memorial tree
- Vinyl records — Ashes pressed into a playable record with chosen music
- Glass art — Blown glass pieces with ashes incorporated into the design
- Fireworks — Ashes launched in a memorial fireworks display
Where to Buy
You have the right to purchase an urn from any source — the funeral home cannot require you to buy theirs.
- Funeral homes — Convenient but often marked up 200–400%
- Online retailers — Usually 40–60% cheaper than funeral homes
- Artisan shops — For unique, handcrafted options
- Cemetery gift shops — Good for niche-specific urns
Tip: Under the FTC Funeral Rule, funeral homes must accept urns purchased elsewhere and cannot charge a fee for using one.
Sizing Guide
A general rule: you need 1 cubic inch per pound of the person's body weight.
- Average adult: 150–220 cubic inches
- Standard adult urn: 200 cubic inches
- Keepsake: 1–50 cubic inches
- Companion: 400+ cubic inches
Find cremation providers near you in our directory.