How to Find the Right Pet Cremation Urn
LifeSong StaffWith everything going on in your life right now, you probably don’t have time to sort through the thousands of different pet cremation urns available. Therefore we put together some practical tips to help you quickly find the perfect urn to honor your lost-but-not-forgotten best friend.
What is a Cremation Urn?
A cremation urn is simply a container that holds cremated remains. Families use urns as a way to honor and affectionately remember lost loved ones and pets. Cremation urns are made of different materials such as ceramic, wood, bronze, granite, brass, glass, porcelain, marble, etc. To decide what material you want, you first need to decide how you will use the urn to determine what material is most appropriate.
How Will the Urn be Used?
- Burial/Cemetery Niche Inurnment
When burying cremains in a cemetery or mausoleum, the facilities usually have guidelines on what materials they will allow in their space. You will need to check with them first to find out the dimensions of the niche and choose an urn to fit within that space.
- Divide the Cremains Among Family Members
Sometimes, each or certain family members want a portion of the remains. For these situations, getting a keepsake urn for everyone would be best. Keepsake urns are smaller containers, built to hold half or less of the remains.
- Keep the Urn at Home
If you are displaying an urn at home, then you can use whatever materials you like since it will be kept safe indoors. Many families choose to get custom wood engraved urns or urns with digitally printed photos of a deceased pet.
- In-ground Burial
You can either store your urn inside a burial container or just use an urn vault.
- A burial container supports the earth around the urn and keeps the ground from sinking at the burial site. It doesn’t matter too much what material you choose, but you need to find out what the dimensions of the space inside the burial container are.
- Many families choose an urn vault since it serves as both the urn and burial container. It’s a cheaper option and can be used as a display or buried.
- Green or Water Burials
If you want to go green, then choose a biodegradable urn made from organic and recycled materials that break down naturally when water or soil are introduced. Just make sure the cemetery allows this type of urn, as not all cemeteries allow green burials. There are urns designed to be set in water. They sink and are water-soluble.
- Scattering Ashes
Scattering urns usually have a top that opens easily so everyone can partake in scattering the ashes in a meaningful place.
What Size Urn Should I Get?
The rule of thumb is to make sure there is one cubic inch of urn space for every pound. So, if your pet weighed 50 pounds, you would want to choose an urn that contains at least 50 cubic inches. A conversion calculator found here can be helpful.
Cremains can vary in the amount received due to the direct process during cremation – temperature, variation, and the bone structure of the deceased. A slightly larger urn is always better than an urn that’s too small. (On the slim chance that not all the ashes fit in the urn you choose, any extra ashes can be put into cremation jewelry or other keepsake urns.)
Again, an urn usually can’t be “too big,” unless you are trying to fit it inside a limited space, like inside a burial container or a cemetery niche. If that is the case, get the exact dimensions of the container/niche from the funeral home first so you know what size to get.
Types of Wood Engraved Urns
A popular material choice for urns is wood. Wood urns display a natural elegance to the memorial tribute of a dear pet. The options for personalization on wood urns are very flexible, allowing for engraving and artwork to reflect the deceased’s personality and interest.
Here are several different types of customizable engraved solid wood urns.
- Small Pet Urn
- Large Urn
- Keepsake Urns
- Candle Lantern Urn
- Scattering Urn
- Photo Urn
- Digitally Printed Photo Urns
Small Pet Urn
Large Urn
Here is a dovetail cherry wood cremation box that makes a beautiful simplistic décor item while serving as a reminder of those precious memories you cherish. It reads, “When tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart. For every time you think of me, I’m right here in your heart.” This U.S.A.-made urn is available in small (holds 83 cubic inches of ash), medium (162 cu. in.), and large (291 cu. in.) sizes. To remove the base, simply unscrew the four Phillips-head screws.
Keepsake Urns
Keepsake urns are traditionally smaller than other urns because they are built to hold half, or less, of the ashes. These could also be used if your pet was very small.
This simple yet gleaming solid wood urn holds only 17 cubic inches of ashes, making it possible for several family members to have part of the ashes. This urn reads, “Your light shines upon us and is always in our hearts.”
Candle Lantern Urn
Candle urns are generally smaller and contain a spot where a candle can be placed. This comfort lantern urn keeps the memory of the loved one aflame in your heart forever. This cherry wood lantern urn holds 64 cubic inches of ashes while offering the warm healing glow of a candle. Each time you light the candle, you can visualize the way your loved one brought so much beautiful light into your life. It reads, “When tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart. For every time you think of me, I’m right here in your heart.” These make great gifts for family or friends, especially if you plan to separate the cremains between multiple people.
Scattering Urn
This cherry wood urn is great for scattering ashes as the lid opens on hinges for easy access. The touching verse on the front states, “In loving memory. Gone but not forgotten.” This three-pound box holds up to 210 cubic inches of ashes and is approximately 8” x 10” x 4”. Some people like to scatter half the ashes and then save the rest in this box to honor their beloved pet for years to come.
Photo Urn
This sleek cherry wood urn holds 175 cubic inches for larger animals. If you don’t have a lot of ashes, you could also place their favorite toy in the box with them. The endearing engraved quote reads, “You were my favorite hello and my hardest goodbye.” The picture frame allows you to insert any 4” x 6” photo to perfectly capture your furry friend’s devoted personality.
Digitally Printed Photo Urn
This pine wood cremation urn box reads, "If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever." You can personalize this wooden urn with your pet's name and a loving message, creating a heartfelt memorial that captures your fur baby's essence. This customizable urn comes in two different sizes so you can be sure it will hold all the ashes.
If you have any questions about customization, sizes, or other concerns, call 419-445-4200 or email us at support@lifesongmilestones.com. Visit other articles on pet memorial topics for more information here.