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Choosing the right urn size

When it comes to choosing an urn, families have many options, and it is relatively easy to find an urn design that will cater to the wishes of most people. However, it is crucial that the urn is the right size to contain the ashes, which vary based on the weight of the deceased person.  

Did you know Eirene provides cremation services to families?

Here is a general guideline on understanding the quantity of cremation ashes that will be returned to a family by a funeral director at a direct cremation provider like Eirene after a deceased person is cremated. 

Before cremation, each pound (or approximately half a kilogram) of body weight equals approximately one cubic inch (0.016 L) of cremation ashes. 

How much ashes come from a cremated adult?

Flame cremation

The most common form of cremation is called flame cremation where extreme heat is used to reduce the body to ashes. Here is the ash calculation for flame cremation.

If an adult was 150 lbs before cremation, they would need an urn with a capacity of at least 150 cubic inches (2.45 L). 

If an adult was 200 lbs before cremation, they would need an urn with a capacity of at least 200 cubic inches (3.27 L). 

For an adult that was 250 lbs before cremation, they would need an urn with a capacity of at least 250 cubic inches (4.1L). 

For an adult that was 300 lbs before cremation, they would need an urn with a capacity of at least 300 cubic inches (4.9 L). 

Aquamation or liquid cremation

A new form of cremation that uses water, pressure and heat to reduce a body to ashes is called aquamation.  Here is the ash calculation for this form of cremation.

It is similar to flame cremation, but adds about 20-30% more volume to the ashes. Numbers below represent 20% more.

If an adult was 150 lbs before aquamation, they would need an urn with a capacity of at least 180 cubic inches (2.95 L). 

If an adult was 200 lbs before aquamation, they would need an urn with a capacity of at least 240 cubic inches (3.95 L). 

For an adult that was 250 lbs before aquamation, they would need an urn with a capacity of at least 300 cubic inches (4.92 L). 

For an adult that was 300 lbs before aquamation, they would need an urn with a capacity of at least 360 cubic inches (5.8 L). 

 

How much ashes come from a cremated child?

For an infant under 25 lbs before flame cremation, they would need an urn with a capacity of 25 cubic inches (0.4 L) or for aquamation 30 ci (0.48 L).

For child under 100 lbs before cremation, they would need an urn with a capacity of 100 cubic inches (1.64 L) or for aquamation 120 ci (1.96 L).

A stillborn child under 10 lbs, would need an urn with a capacity of 10 cubic inches (0.16 L) or for aquamation 12 ci (0.19 L).

Cremation ash calculation table by weight for flame cremation (add 20-30% for aquamation) :

Age Weight (lbs) Weight (kgs) Ashes volume:
cubic inches
Ashes volume: 
litres
Adult 150 lbs 68 kg 150 cu.in 2.45 L
Adult 175 lbs 80 kg 175 cu.in 2.86 L
Adult 200 lbs 91 kg 200 cu.in 3.3 L
Adult 225 lbs 102 kg 225 cu.in 3.7 L
Adult 250 lbs 114 kg 250 cu.in 4.1 L
Adult 275 lbs 125 kg 275 cu.in 4.5 L
Adult 300 lbs 136 kg 300 cu.in 4.9 L
22 weeks
up to 2.2 lbs
up to 1 kg
10 cu.in. 0.15 L
40 weeks
up to 19 lbs
up to 8.5 kg
40 cu.in. 0.65 L
1 years 22 lbs
10 kg
49 cu.in. 0.80 L
2 years 26 lbs 12 kg 61 cu.in. 1.00 L
3 years 33 lbs 15 kg 76 cu.in. 1.25 L
4 years
37 lbs
17 kg 82 cu.in. 1.35 L
5 years
42 lbs
19 kg 89 cu.in. 1.45 L
6 years
49 lbs
22 kg 95 cu.in. 1.55 L
7 years
52 lbs
24 kg 98 cu.in. 1.60 L
8 years
57 lbs
26 kg 101 cu.in. 1.65 L
years
62 lbs
28 kg 107 cu.in. 1.75 L
10 years
68 lbs
31 kg 113 cu.in. 1.85 L
11 years 77 lbs

35 kg

122 cu.in. 2.00 L
12 years 86 lbs 39 kg 137 cu.in. 2.25 L
13 years 99 lbs 45 kg 146 cu.in. 2.40 L
14 years 115 lbs 52 kg 159 cu.in. 2.60 L
15 years 126 lbs 57 kg 171 cu.in. 2.80 L
16+ years 135 lbs 61 kg 183 cu.in. 3.00 L


To learn the weight of cremation ashes, click here.

Questions?

If you have questions about this post, purchasing an urn, cremation or anything funeral related contact our experts at support@eirene.ca.

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