Urns for Ashes: Everything you need to know

This urns for ashes resource guide provides everything Canadians need to know about cremation urns. If you seeking to buy one browse cremation urns here. If you're looking for information, read on.

In this guide we describe the various types of urns, their sizes, and costs. We also include how they are used and covers any questions you may have about them. If you are ready to buy an urn, click here to click here to buy online in our urn store with free shipping to addresses in Canada. If not read on to have your questions answered.

Help finding an urn for ashes

We also provide help from our expert Toronto-area staff on which urn to buy for your needs. So if you do not see your question answered here, then please contact our urn experts at support@eirene.ca to get your query answered. Because we sell urns in this store we want to help you make an informed choice.

What is a cremation urn?

A cremation urn is a container that is used to house the cremated remains of a person who has died. (Urns are also used for pet ashes.) They come in many types, materials, sizes and have a variety of uses. They are made of metal, wood, paper, ceramics, gelatin and various types of stone. They can be ornamental and used to display ashes or they can be buried in a cemetery or placed in a niche in a columbarium, which is a cemetery facility (a wall or building) that houses ashes.

What are cremation ashes?

Cremation ashes are the remains of a deceased human after they have been cremated, which means their body has been reduced to base elements in a purpose-made furnace called a crematory. In this process the body is exposed to extreme heat and all organic materials in the body are reduced to a fine off-white powder, which is primarily composed of bone. Cremation ashes are also produced in the funerary process called aquamation, which is also know as liquid cremation or Alkaline Hydrolysis. 

What types of urns are there?

There are many shapes, sizes and uses for cremation urns. Most urns that are 200 cubic inches and larger are for adult ashes. Smaller urns include keepsake urns for ashes that are divided between family members, companion urns that can hold the ashes of two people, and infant urns that hold the ashes of a child. Micro and mini urns are used to hold small amounts of ashes and urn jewelry will hold a small pinch of ashes to keep them close. Some urns are molded in special shapes like these heart shaped urns.

Who buys cremation urns?

After a person dies in a family, the closest family member, called the next of kin, is responsible for making funeral arrangements for the loved one. If the deceased person is cremated, the task also falls upon the next of kin to decided what to do with their ashes. Typically the ashes are buried in a cemetery, kept by the family in their home, or scattered in a location where the deceased  spent time during their life (like a family property, a lake, river or ocean, the family cottage or favorite park). A cremation urn is the vessel in which ashes are kept. 

How to buy an urn

Learn the basics of what to look for and how to buy an urn. If you are ready to see what is available in our online store, click here. 

How to choose an urn size

When you buy an urn you need to factor in how much ashes they are going to hold. The basics are that for flame cremation, one cubic inches of ash is produced by 1 lb of body weight. So a 200 lb person will have 200 cubic inches of ashes. Read this article to understand urn sizes and what they are used for. For aquamation expect that 1 lb of body weight will produce 1.2 to 1.3 cubic inches of ashes from the aquamation process.

What urn sizes are on your online shopping website?

Here are shortcuts to the following urn sizes:

• Large cremation urns
• Standard urns - for adults up to 200 lbs.
• Small urns - for body weights under 30 lbs (or 30 cubic inches of shares or less)
• Infant urns - small urns for under 10 lbs of body weight
• Urns for children and teens - urns for 10-100 lbs of body weight
• Pet cremation urns

What does a cremation urn cost?

This article explains the cost to buy the various types of cremation urns. And where you can buy them.

10 questions to ask when buying a cremation urn

Buying a cremation urn is an emotional purchase, and the choice can feel overwhelming. Here are 10 questions to ask when choosing an urn.

How to choose a cremation urn size

This post explains about the different size cremation urns including full-sized urns for adults, keepsake, mini and micro urns as well as companion urns. Urn sizes are explained here.

How to choose a small urn

If you're looking for a smaller sized urn that is designed as a keepsake urn or for infant ashes, or that features a tea light candle, this guide will help you a choose a small urn. We also include what a mini or micro urn is used for too.

How much ash comes from a human after flame cremation?

This post explains is the quantity of cremation ashes that will be returned to a family by funeral director after flame cremation.

You can also see the following post about: How heavy are cremated ashes.

How much ash comes from a human after aquamation?

Aquamation produces about 20 to 30 per cent more ashes from a human body. Read more here. 

What are urns made of?

Urns are made from all types of materials. They include:

• Artisan urns - These artful urns are mixed media and perfect for display
• Biodegradable urns - Several materials to choose from.
• Bamboo urns - Biodegradable urns made from bamboo 
• Ceramic urns - Decorative and used for display
• Cloisonné urns - These stunning and ornate urns are decorative and made from enamel, glass, or gemstones.
• Glass urns - Suitable for display. Made from glass.
• Leather urns - Distinctively stylish urns made from leather
• Metal urns - These urns are made of metal including bronze,  copper, stainless steel, silver, nickel and more
• Paper urns - Biodegradable urns that can be buried or used to scatter ashes
• Plastic urns - These simple urns are affordable and stylish
• Gelatin urns - These can be buried in the earth or water
• Stone urns - Made from granite or marble
• Wooden urns - Popular urns made of oak, maple, mahogany, poplar and more.

What is a scattering tube? Is it the same as an urn?

In this article, learn about scattering tubes and what they are used for and how to use one. 

Where to bury an urn and what does it cost?

Learn about where to bury an urn and also the cost to bury an urn.

Is a cremation urn sealed shut permanently? Or should it be?

Find out under what circumstances should a cremation urn be sealed permanently and if the urn comes sealed from the crematorium. Click here. 

What to do with an urn after scattering ashes

If you choose to scatter ashes then some people wonder what to do with an empty urn. Here are a few urn reuse or repurposing ideas. 

Where to buy a pet urn

Pet urns are available in the Eirene Urn Store here.

Can you buy a cremation urn at a mall?

You can buy cremation urns at many places, but typically not at a mall. Here is a breakdown of who sells cremation urns.

More resources about ashes, urns, funerals and cremation

We have written extensively on cremation and funerals in our main site's blog, since we are a direct cremation provider based in Ontario. Click the article below to learn more.

• Arrange a cremation (Also: Learn about the cremation arrangement process)
• Arrange an aquamation
• Cremation questions and answers
• Aquamation questions and answers
• Ask us at Eirene
• 10 things to know about direct cremation
• What does next of kin mean
• Scatter, bury or keep: What to do with ashes
• 10 creative things to do with cremated remains
  
• Ash traditions: What you can do with them
• Can I have a viking funeral in Canada?
• Rules about scattering ashes in Canada
• How service providers ensure cremation ashes are not mixed
• How to plan a celebration of life