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How many cubic inches should a cremation urn be?
Educational Resources > How to Choose the Right Urn Size, Educational Resources > Choosing the Perfect Cremation Urn
Answer:
Generally, one pound of a person's weight when alive will correspond to one cubic inch of cremated remains. For example, if a person weighed 150 pounds while alive, their loved ones can expect to receive 150 cubic inches of cremated remains, and should look for an urn with a volume of at least 150 cubic inches. A standard adult urn, which has a volume of at least 200 cubic inches, would be appropriate for this person.For a detailed estimation on the volume of ashes you may expect to receive after cremation, please visit our Urn Calculator. To read more about urn sizes, visit our detailed urn size guide.
Answer:
Protocol for burying ashes will depend on the location you have chosen for burial. The majority of cemeteries will ask that you bury your loved one's remains within an urn, and many will additionally require that urn to be inside an urn vault. Biodegradable urns may be accepted at cemeteries, but ask your specific location to confirm. If you are burying your loved one's ashes on another public or private property, obtain permission and ask what conditions you must follow. Make sure you are also complying with any local or state laws regarding burial of human remains.
Should cremated ashes be divided?
Educational Resources > Choosing the Perfect Cremation Urn, Educational Resources > Collecting Ashes After a Cremation
Answer:
A loved one's cremated remains may either be divided among family or kept together within one urn. Some families find comfort in sharing ashes amongst themselves so that family members can keep their lost one close, while other families feel it's more respectful to keep the ashes intact so that their loved one can remain whole. Deciding whether to divide cremated ashes is a personal choice that varies by family, and both options are respectable ways to honor a loved one's memory. Ultimately, the decision should honor the wishes of the deceased and provide peace to those left behind.
Answer:
If you plan to keep all the ashes within one urn, choose an urn size that can hold the full volume of ashes you expect to receive. One pound of body weight will roughly correspond to one cubic inch of ashes, so you can use the weight of your loved one to estimate what size urn will be appropriate. Most adults will be able to use a standard-sized urn (also known as an adult urn), which has a volume in the range of 200 cubic inches. Make sure the urn's volume is slightly larger than your estimated volume of ashes, to avoid the urn overflowing during closure.If you are sharing or dividing ashes among family members, choose an urn that is smaller than a standard-sized urn, because you will not need to store the full volume of ashes. Discuss with your loved one how you plan to divide the ashes, including the number of people that will receive ashes and whether the ashes will be divided in equal portions.
Answer:
Unlike a traditional burial, when cremated remains are buried, they do not decompose further in the ground, because they have already been reduced to bone through cremation. Some families may choose an eco-friendly or "green" burial by burying their loved one's ashes within a biodegradable urn that breaks down in the soil over months or years, eventually allowing the ashes to mix with the earth. More commonly, ashes will be buried within a permanently lasting cremation urn encased by a durable urn vault. This urn vault can be buried underground at a cemetery plot, designated memorial garden, or other chosen location. Burying cremated remains allows family and friends to give their loved one a final resting place in a memorial location that they can revisit.
Answer:
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.
