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What do ashes or cremated remains look like?
Educational Resources > Collecting Ashes After a Cremation, Educational Resources > Understanding the Cremation Process
Answer:
Cremated remains are often referred to as ashes, but they are actually remnants of bone that have not burned during cremation. After cremation, the remaining skeleton is crushed into small particles that can vary in size, but usually resemble coarse sand or crushed seashells. These remains may vary in color from white to dark gray, and the exact shade can vary depending on factors such as the temperature of the cremation chamber, the duration of the process, and the composition of the individual's bones. Typically, higher temperatures and longer durations result in whiter or light gray remains, while lower temperatures and shorter durations can produce darker gray or even bluish hues.
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Cremated remains entering the United States have no permit or importation requirements. These "ashes," which are processed bone fragments left over from the cremation process, are sterile because any tissue, blood, or other decomposable material that can transmit disease has been burned away during cremation. Other human remains that require no permit for importation include clean and dry bones, hair, teeth, and finger or toe nails. A deceased person's body that is entering the United States for later burial or cremation must be accompanied by a death certificate and be cleared for entry.
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Wood cremation urns all use durable hardwoods, so the "best" wood for urns is simply a matter of personal taste and style. Different kinds of wood offer unique grain patterns and colors, and cherry, walnut, and oak are all popular picks.
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After cremation, remains are carefully removed from the cremation chamber and transferred onto a cooling tray. The remains are processed to remove any metal fragments that may be present, if for example the deceased had a surgical implant. When only bone is left, the fragments are processed into sand-like particles using a machine called a cremulator. These "ashes" are returned to the family in an urn or other container.
Answer:
When you are arranging a cremation and funeral service through a funeral home, the funeral home will typically offer cremation urns for sale. However, urns sold by a funeral home are often priced extremely high in order to create profit. You should know that you are not obligated to purchase an urn from a funeral home, and you can use your own urn to hold your loved one's ashes. By United States law, a funeral home or crematorium must accept outside urns when transferring cremated remains into a container. Purchasing urns from a third party like In the Light Urns is often preferable to purchasing directly from a funeral home or crematorium, because it allows you more flexibility in pricing and urn customization.
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Cremation urns can be buried in order to give your loved one's ashes a final resting place. Many cemeteries offer designated plots for urns, and some families choose to bury their loved one in family plots or memorial gardens. This practice allows families to have a permanent and often marked place to visit and remember their loved ones, similar to traditional burial practices.If you are burying a cremation urn in a cemetery plot, it is likely that a cemetery attendant or staff member will dig and prepare the burial hole for you.
- Depending on the cemetery, you may be asked to bury the urn inside an urn vault if the urn is intended for permanent placement (i.e. the urn is not biodegradable).
- The cremation urn, or the closed urn vault containing the urn, will be placed inside the hole and then covered up with soil.
- Obtain permission from any property owners and ask them if they have any requirements for urn burial, and check local laws to make sure you are complying with environmental and health policies.
- When digging a hole yourself, the urn should ideally be buried 3 feet deep to ensure the urn does not get disturbed. If this is not possible, aim for a depth of at least 1 foot.
- You can kneel and place the urn, or urn vault, into the hole by hand. After the urn has been placed, fill the hole with soil again.
- Within a cemetery, the cemetery will guide you on your options for choosing a headstone or other memorial, and take care of the installation for you.
- On private or public property, the property owner can advise you on what burial marker will be appropriate for display, and you will have to install the marker yourself.
What material is best for a cremation urn?
Educational Resources > Selecting the Perfect Cremation Urn Material, Educational Resources > Choosing the Perfect Cremation Urn
Answer:
The best material for a cremation urn depends on personal preference, intended use, and budget. - Metal, stone, and resin urns are the most durable urns, ideal for outdoor settings or burial.
- Wood, glass, and ceramic urns last longer in controlled environments, so these urns are great options for an interior setting such as home display or interment within a columbarium.
- The most affordable cremation urns are made of biodegradable materials, which will suit those looking for environmentally-conscious choices.
Answer:
Urns are typically used to hold the cremated remains or "ashes" of a person that has passed away, but urns, especially keepsake urns or jewelry urns, can hold other items as well. Other items that can be placed inside keepsake urns or jewelry urns include soil or sand from a burial site, dried flower petals, sentimental notes and other paper, fabric from a meaningful blanket or piece of clothing, locks of hair or fur, or anything else you can think of.
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The simplest form of cremation is direct cremation, where a person is promptly cremated without any type of memorial like a casket viewing, funeral service, or cremation witnessing. Because there are no additional costs associated with memorial services, direct cremation is the most affordable form of cremation.
How much does a cremation urn cost?
Educational Resources > Choosing the Perfect Cremation Urn, Educational Resources > A Quick Guide to Cremation
Answer:
A cremation urn can cost anywhere from $10 to $500 or more, depending on factors like material, size, and detail. Jewelry urns and keepsakes, meant to hold a small or minuscule portion of ashes, are generally more affordable than standard, extra-large, and companion cremation urns which hold one or more person's complete remains. However, a jewelry urn made of 14KT gold will be more expensive than a standard urn made from wood or brass, despite the jewelry urn having a substantially smaller volume. Most customers looking to purchase a standard-sized urn for ashes can expect to spend between $100 to $350.
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A temporary cremation urn can be any urn or container that is used to store ashes temporarily until they receive final disposition, whether that is placement in a different urn, scattering, burial, or something else. Because the container is temporary, any simple yet sturdy container can be appropriate, and a temporary urn can be made from lightweight materials like cardboard, plastic, or paper.
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A cremation urn can be displayed at home in any manner you feel appropriate. To prevent any damage to the urn, you should ideally find a visible location where the urn will not be disturbed, such as a mantle, shelf, or dedicated memorial space. However, some families without pets or children prefer to keep the urn on a well-used surface, like a coffee table or dining table, to keep their loved one close to them. In either case, personal touches like photos, candles, or flowers can add to an urn display and create a thoughtful tribute.
How long do cremated ashes last in an urn?
Educational Resources > A Quick Guide to Cremation, Educational Resources > Collecting Ashes After a Cremation
Answer:
Cremated ashes are actually bone fragments that have survived the cremation process. During cremation, heat burns away any decomposable material, so the remaining bone fragments are sterile and can last indefinitely in an urn if stored properly. A sealed, dry urn can preserve your loved one's ashes for eternity. Ashes will also remain intact outside of a container if they remain moisture-free, so it isn't necessary to have an urn immediately once you receive your loved one's remains from the crematorium.
Answer:
You can reuse a cremation urn that is fully intact, but some people may find it inappropriate or disrespectful to reuse an urn that has previously held someone's ashes. If you do choose to reuse a cremation urn, make sure that it is clean and empty of past cremated remains. If cost is an issue for your family, we offer free cremation urns at In the Light Urns that have visual imperfections but are structurally sound.
Answer:
A cremation urn is a type of container used to hold the cremated remains of a person. Urns for ashes can hold some or all of a person's remains, and can be made from several different materials including metal, wood, stone, and paper. Traditional urns are shaped like vases or jars, but urns can also be shaped like boxes or take contemporary designs, like the 3D-printed urns available at In the Light Urns. Urns can be customized with different designs, themes, or engravings to honor a person's memory and memorialize them.
Educational Resources > Collecting Ashes After a Cremation, Educational Resources > Filling a Cremation Urn with Ease
Answer:
Anyone can fill a cremation urn with ashes or other sentimental items, and there are no special qualifications or training needed. However, if you are uncomfortable with handling your loved one's cremated remains, you can ask your funeral home or cremation provider to fill the urn for you.
What should I engrave on a cremation urn?
Educational Resources > Choosing the Perfect Cremation Urn, Engraving & Printing
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A custom cremation urn is frequently engraved with the deceased's name, birth date, and death date. You can further personalize your engraving with an epitaph, which is a short expression of love or respect that goes on memorial items. Examples of epitaphs include "In Loving Memory" and "Beloved Wife and Mother"/Husband and Father". If there is room, a short quote or statement such as "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" can also be included.
