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Is it considered a sin to scatter ashes?
Educational Resources > Religious Views on Cremation, Educational Resources > Scattering Ashes
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For members of Christianity, scattering ashes is considered a sin. The Church believes that while cremation is acceptable, a person's cremated remains must be kept together so that they may be successfully resurrected in the future. Non-Christian religions and agnostic & atheist households are not subject to this belief.
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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.
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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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If a cremation urn has not been permanently sealed with glue, it can be opened again by unscrewing the threaded closure or removing any screws holding a lid in place. An urn may be opened to transfer the remains into a new urn, perhaps because the current urn is a temporary container or a new urn has been chosen for the ashes. An urn may also be opened to remove the remains for other final disposition, such as scattering. However, a cremation urn does not need to be opened for maintenance or cleaning, and does not need to be replaced unless the urn is damaged. Opening an urn can introduce moisture to cremated remains, so it shouldn't be opened unless necessary.
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For couples that wish to both be cremated, companion urns allow their ashes to be stored together after death. The ashes of an average adult typically require about 200 cubic inches of space, so companion urns have a capacity of at least 400 cubic inches combined. They can have either separate compartments or a single large space to accommodate two or more cremated bodies in one urn. When placing the remains of multiple people in one companion urn, you can choose to keep the ashes separate in bags or pour them together into the urn, mixing the remains.
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Religious views of cremation depend on the specific religion, spirituality, or culture. Some religions, like Hinduism and Buddhism, prefer cremation and see it as a way to release the soul from the physical body and facilitate its journey to the next life or state of being. On the other hand, certain branches of Christianity and Judaism traditionally prefer burial, viewing it as a more respectful way to honor the body, though perspectives within these religions are evolving.
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After you are cremated, your ashes can be buried in a variety of ways, such as in a traditional cemetery plot, a columbarium niche, or even in a family member's garden. The ashes can be placed in an urn or biodegradable container before burial, or they may be deposited directly into the ground, similar to a scattering.
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Most wood urns are box-shaped and have a removable bottom panel that is held in place via threaded screws. After the screws have been tightened, some people may choose to add glue to seal where the edges of the bottom panel meet the urn, but this is a matter of preference.
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Most metal cremation urns are vase-shaped with a threaded lid, which means that the lid uses a twist mechanism to open and close. To open a metal cremation urn and remove the lid, unscrew the top lid counter-clockwise.
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When filling an urn, you can choose between placing the entire bag of ashes into the urn (bag transfer), or pouring the ashes from the bag into the urn (direct transfer). Both methods are acceptable, and if you feel uncomfortable directly touching cremated remains, it's perfectly fine to keep your loved one's ashes inside the bag they came in.
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A cremation jewelry urn allows you to keep a loved one close wherever you go, which can provide you with comfort. Wearing a cremation jewelry piece can also symbolize how important your loved one was to you. For practicality's sake, a cremation jewelry urn is additionally the memorial option that takes up the least space if you want to display the jewelry as a keepsake.
What do ashes or cremated remains look like?
Educational Resources > Collecting Ashes After a Cremation, Educational Resources > Understanding the Cremation Process
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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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As a rough estimate, someone who weighed 200 pounds while alive would have about 200 cubic inches of cremated remains. One pound of a person's weight generally equals one cubic inch of cremated remains. However, a more precise estimate can be found through our urn size calculator, which takes into account age, height, gender, and bone mass to calculate ash volume and suggest a recommended urn size.
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Showering with cremation jewelry isn't a good idea, because you risk damaging the jewelry piece or introducing water into the ashes compartment. To protect your cremation jewelry, you should set it in a dry place before performing routine hygiene tasks.
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Cremation urns made from metal and stone are best for burying ashes, because these materials are strong enough to resist collapsing under the weight and pressure of soil. Urns made of wood may still be buried if the urn is enclosed in an urn vault designed for burial, but metal and stone urns are preferable because wooden urns may degrade over time from moisture.Biodegradable urns are also ideal for burial, because they are designed to break down in soil and water in an eco-friendly manner. You should decide if you prefer to bury an urn that will last for decades or centuries, or an urn that will break down and leave no environmental impact.
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Depending on where you bury your loved one's ashes, an urn may or may not be a requirement. If you or your loved ones own the property where you’ll be burying the cremated remains, the decision to use an urn is entirely up to your preference. However, cemeteries often have specific rules on how to bury ashes, and public and private properties may also have regulations for burying ashes. Always ensure you comply with a location's set guidelines and local laws to avoid any issues.
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Vase-style urns seal with a threaded closure on the lid, while box-style urns seal with additional screws that hold the lid in place. Keepsake urns and cremation jewelry urns will also have a type of secure lid that seals, usually featuring a threaded closure. These urns will all safely hold ashes without opening, but for further peace of mind, you may choose to additionally seal a lid with silicone, resin, or epoxy glue. To permanently seal an urn using glue, only a small amount of glue is necessary.
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There is no best way to bury cremated remains, and it depends on you and your deceased loved one's preferences. You may opt to use a biodegradable urn if you prefer an eco-friendly option, or choose a traditional urn and an optional urn vault for a permanent placement. You may also consider burying the ashes directly into the soil. Any of these options are respectable ways to honor your loved one's remains, and you can choose whichever method you prefer. If you have a location in mind, they may already have made this choice for you depending on their conditions for burial.
