How to Choose an Urn for Ashes: Types, Materials and Keepsake Options
Choosing an urn is one of the more personal decisions in cremation planning, and it can feel difficult when you are not sure where to start. The right choice depends on what you plan to do with the ashes. Some families keep them at home, others choose burial or a columbarium niche, and many scatter some or all of them. Others divide them among several keepsake urns so more than one person can hold a piece of the memory. Because urns come in many sizes, materials, and styles, it helps to decide on the purpose first and the look second. Then you can compare features like capacity, engraving, durability, and cost. This guide explains how to choose an urn for ashes, covering the main types, common materials, and keepsake options. At Prairie Rose Cremation & Funeral Services, we offer a wide selection of urns for ashes in Calgary and Airdrie, and our team is here to help you find one that feels right.
TYPES OF URNS FOR ASHES AND WHEN FAMILIES CHOOSE THEM
The main types of urns for ashes are defined by what they are designed to do. Matching the type to your plan narrows the choice quickly, so it is worth deciding what will happen to the ashes before you look at styles.
Common types include:
- Full-size cremation urns for keeping at home
- Burial urns for the cemetery or a columbarium niche
- Keepsake urns for sharing a small portion
- Companion urns designed for two people
- Scattering tubes for scattering the ashes
- Biodegradable urns for earth burial
- Photo urns with a place for a picture
Full-size designs suit families who want to keep the ashes close. They are made in wood, metal, stone, and other materials, and they are meant to be displayed indoors. If you plan to bury the urn or place it in a columbarium, look for one built for that purpose. For example, a durable polymer urn can be suitable for burial, a columbarium, or air travel.
Keepsake urns are small versions that hold a portion of the ashes, so several relatives can each keep one. Some stone pieces have matching keepsakes available. Companion urns are made for two people, and some are designed as two separate pieces that can each be engraved. Scattering tubes are made to scatter ashes in an easy and dignified way, and they come in several designs. Photo urns include a panel that lets you change the picture without opening the urn.
Biodegradable urns are another option. A handmade paper urn with flower petals can be used for earth burial, storage, or ceremonial use, and it will last for decades if kept indoors in a dry place.
URN MATERIALS, SIZES AND FEATURES TO COMPARE
Once you know the type, the material shapes how an urn looks, feels, and lasts. Each has its own character, so it helps to think about the person you are remembering.
Common materials include:
- Metal, such as brass, copper with enamel, and glazed alloy
- Wood, such as solid oak or cherry
- Stone, including reconstituted stone and cultured marble
- Resin, often hand painted
- Handmade paper, which is biodegradable
- Cardboard, used for scattering tubes
- Durable polymer, for travel and burial
Metal pieces can carry hand-engraved images or enamel work, while wooden urns bring warmth and suit a home setting. Stone and marble feel substantial and permanent. Paper and cardboard are lighter and designed to break down or to be used for scattering.
Beyond material, a few practical features are worth comparing:
- Capacity, since many full-size designs hold around 200 cubic inches
- Engraving, which is available on some pieces but not all
- Whether it fits a columbarium niche
- Where it will be kept, since some are for indoor display only
- Whether it can travel
- Budget
Always ask for the capacity of any cremation urn you are considering. If you are choosing keepsakes, capacity matters less, but it is still worth confirming how much each one holds.
HOW TO CHOOSE AN URN FOR ASHES IN CALGARY AND AIRDRIE
Choosing an urn for ashes is easier when you take it one step at a time. You do not need to decide right away, and many families wait until they have had time to think.
Steps to follow include:
- Decide what will happen to the ashes
- Check any cemetery or columbarium requirements
- Choose a size and capacity
- Pick a material and style that reflect the person
- Decide on engraving or other personal touches
- Consider keepsake urns for relatives who would like one
- Set a budget
You are not required to buy an urn from your funeral home. A temporary urn is included with our basic cremation package, which gives you time to choose the right permanent one. You can also use a container from another provider or one that is meaningful to your family.
At Prairie Rose Cremation & Funeral Services, we are Alberta owned and operated, with over 25 years of experience. We show you the full range of options during a no-obligation consultation, held where it suits you, and we help you choose what fits your plans and budget. Contact us to find cremation urns and keepsakes that honour your loved one.
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FAQs
You can, but the urn must be scannable by the Transportation Security Agency and the Canadian Border Services Agency. This means it should be made of wood, cardboard, or plastic and not metal or marble. If you plan to fly with a non-scannable urn, airport security may open your urn and examine the contents to verify they are cremated remains.
Depending on the urn you select it may be engravable.
If you wish to choose a specific urn for cremated remains, you would need to buy it and store it until it is needed. We are unable to hold purchased urns on site. We cannot guarantee any merchandise selected during the pre-preplanning stage as products and supply change over the years. If there is a specific urn you like you are welcome to purchase from us at the time of pre-planning.
We’re Here For You
Contact Prairie Rose Cremation & Funeral Services by calling us at 1-403-216-5111 or by filling out the contact form below to set up a consultation, alternatively you can email us as well.
