Cremation is the foundation for many people’s funeral arrangements. In 2020, 56 percent of Americans chose cremation for themselves. By 2025, that number will rise to 63 percent.
Cremation is simpler, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly than the standard burial. But you must know a few things to make it a viable option for your loved one. In particular, you must understand the cremation urn.
How can you select the right one? Where can you place it? How can you care for it, inside of your home and in a cremation niche?
Answer these questions and you can memorialize your loved one in a touching and personal manner. Here is your quick guide.
There are many different urns you can choose from. The choices are distinct based on two main factors, material, and size.
You are in no rush to make your decision. Look over your options with the help of an expert in funeral arrangements. Think about the aesthetics of each choice and decide how they associate with your loved one.
Wood cremation urns are among the most common for indoor placement. They can support carvings or beautiful polishes, creating an elegant appearance. You can select a dark wood or a light one.
Brass is a common material in metal cremation urns. It is a durable metal with many applications, including for musical instruments. This makes it a good material for someone who loved music or history.
Pewter is a mixture of tin and other ingredients. It resembles silver, but it is durable and timeless.
Glass urns provide a more modern and beautiful appearance. You can find urns with a variety of colors and designs, which can draw people’s attention from across a room.
Ceramic is a durable and shiny substance, akin to glass. It is less colorful, but it can have a more traditional aesthetic.
Natural stone invokes the earth. Gypsum is especially popular because it is a customizable rock.
If your loved one was a child or a small adult, you can find a smaller urn. One pound of weight elicits one cubic inch of ash.
Some urns for children have a maximum capacity, usually around 180 cubic inches. Urns for adults can go up to 240 cubic inches.
If you have too many ashes, you may need to buy multiple urns. Take this as an opportunity to distribute the ashes amongst your family members. You can also sprinkle some in a location your loved one liked to be in.
Don’t buy a big urn just to buy a big urn. They can be difficult to store and clean. Get one that provides just enough room.
Companion urns store the ashes of multiple people. They can provide 400 or more cubic inches of capacity. If you or someone else wants to store their ashes with your loved one, you should get a companion urn.
You can put an urn on any shelf in your house. The shelf should be sturdy and flat so the urn does not slide. Children or pets should not be able to reach it or strike it with objects.
You can also put the urn on a table. This is a good idea for a post-funeral reception, during which you can call attention to your loved one. But this increases the risk of it falling over, so find a spot where it can’t be knocked into.
Direct sunlight can damage wood and metal. If you select either material, place the urn on a shelf away from a window. You can illuminate it with a ceiling light, but don’t shine the light directly onto it.
You should also avoid storing your metal in a room with high moisture. Get a dehumidifier and monitor the metal for signs of rusting.
Don’t place your urn directly against the wall. The ceiling could leak, and water could run down the wall onto it. Place it an inch or so forward.
If you are concerned about your urn’s safety, you can buy an urn vault. This is a box that will insulate your urn from any damage. It gives you the option of placing the urn on the floor, which makes it easier to see.
If storing an urn in your house is not an option, you can find a columbarium. Most cemeteries have at least one.
A cremation niche provides enough room for most urns. You may need a special niche if the urn you select is too big. You can customize the niche so it has your loved one’s name and other important details.
You can visit the columbarium whenever you want. Keep in mind that there may be other visitors when you go, so you will have a little less intimacy.
You can maintain an urn yourself through basic measures. Your biggest concern is dust getting on its surfaces. You can wipe the dust off with a dry cloth every month or so.
Do not apply too much pressure as you wipe. You can put scratches into the wood or metal.
If you select a columbarium, you should check to see that the urn does not have debris. You can use a mild detergent and a damp cloth to clean its surface.
Do not wipe painted or polished surfaces with a wet cloth. You will risk stripping away the surface.
A cremation urn can be a timeless reminder of your loved one. You have many options. Wood and brass are traditional materials, while glass is more colorful.
Place an urn on a shelf or table. Make sure that sunlight cannot damage it. If you don’t have room in your house, take it to a columbarium.
Use a dry cloth to remove dust. Don’t scrub too hard so you don’t leave scratches. If it has debris, you can use a light detergent.
You are not alone during the cremation process. Lone Star Cremation serves the Dallas area. Contact us today.
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