Key Considerations When Choosing an Urn

Urns have been used in many cultures for over thousands of years. Today they are just as special and held with the same respect. Afterall, this urn is not only going to retain your loved one’s ashes after their direct cremation in Whitefish Bay, WI. it also acts a visual tribute as well as a family keepsake. 

Because of this, you want an urn that is durable and will last for generations but also be beautiful and expresses your love for the deceased. With so much importance placed on this item, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to choose the perfect one. Luckily, there are some key elements that if you keep in mind, can help the selection process go much smoother. Let’s take a look at these elements. 

Urn Material and Location 

Many people may purchase an urn because they like the way it looks only to find out later it is not the most conducive material for the where the urn is going to be placed. For example, a family may decide that the perfect spot for the urn is going to be in their sun room where the bright sunshine lights up the room all day. Then, they purchase a wood urn based solely on the look of the material. Well, a wood urn can actually be damaged by being in direct sunlight and after time could crack or warp. 

Another situation where you want to be sure you get an appropriate material for the location of the urn is when you are burying the urn or placing it a columbarium niche. Each of these instances may have certain restrictions or guidelines on what materials are (or are not) permitted. If you are placing your urn anywhere other than your home always check with the location to see if they have any policies regarding what is permitted. 

The Size of the Urn 

The size of the urn is also an important element to consider. This goes for the outside urn dimensions as well as how many cubic inches of space are inside. 

First, you need to know the outside dimensions so that you will be sure it will fit comfortably in the place you have selected. This is even more important when it comes to columbarium niches as they may have a very specific size you will need to be aware of. 

Next, the space inside is also very important as it relates to how much your loved one weighed before cremation. The standard scale is that for every pound of body weight one cubic inch is needed. So for a person who weighed 175 pounds, they would need an urn with a cubic inch size of 175 or more. 

Custom Features 

If you know ahead of time any custom features you would like to add to an urn it can help you in selecting the best one for those customizations. For example, if you would like to get a lyric from their favorite song engraved directly on the urn, an urn made of glass would not be the best choice. 

While choosing the perfect urn can be a little overwhelming, if you keep these key elements in mind, it can help narrow down the choices and help you select the best one for your needs. 

If you would like to talk more about direct cremation in Whitefish Bay, WI. and if it may be the best option for you and your family, call and talk one-on-one with our knowledgeable staff as we are always here to help.