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Educational Resources Q&A
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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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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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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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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.
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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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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.
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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
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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.
Educational Resources > Collecting Ashes After a Cremation, Educational Resources > Filling a Cremation Urn with Ease
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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.
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.
How to choose a cremation urn?
Educational Resources > Choosing the Perfect Cremation Urn, Educational Resources > Choosing a Cremation Jewelry Urn
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- To choose a cremation urn, you should consider how much volume you will need, along with how the urn will be used. If the urn will be used to hold an adult's complete amount of ashes, you will likely want a standard-sized urn, which is designed to accommodate most adults.
- Our urn size calculator can help you estimate the volume of your loved one's cremated remains and determine what size urn may be appropriate.
- Once you have an urn size in mind, you can select an urn material based on the urn's intended use, such as whether it will be displayed, buried, or used for scattering.
- For every urn size and urn material, there are beautiful urn options to choose from, and you can pick a design that speaks to you or that fittingly memorializes your loved one.
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You can bury your loved one's ashes in a cemetery. To bury cremated remains within a cemetery, you will need to purchase one of the cemetery's burial plots. Burial plots for urns will typically cost less than burial plots for caskets because they take up a smaller area of land. Some cemeteries will have designated areas for urn burial, such as urn gardens, that are separated from the area for casket burial. If you are burying your loved one's urn within a cemetery, you may also wish to purchase a headstone to mark your loved one's resting place.
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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.
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The opportunity for a final goodbye before cremation can occur at a funeral or memorial service held prior to the cremation. A memorial service before cremation allows family and friends a time to grieve and say their final goodbyes to their loved one. If the deceased is laid to rest in an open casket during the service, this viewing can also give mourners closure to see their loved one a last time before cremation. Some cremation providers also offer a witnessed cremation, where a small number of family members are allowed to join the cremation operator and watch their loved one be placed into the cremation chamber. A witnessed cremation allows grieving family to be the last people to see their loved one before cremation occurs.
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To transport cremated remains to a new location for burial or scattering, you may choose to drive by car, fly by plane, or ship the ashes ahead of you. Traveling by car is the easiest way to transport ashes because there are no regulations or guidelines that you have to follow. If you are shipping ashes or bringing them on a flight, you will have to make sure your loved one's cremated remains are in a suitable cremation urn or other container for your chosen method, and pack the urn accordingly. The best mode of transportation depends on your specific needs, but any of these methods can get your loved one to their final destination safely.
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The Transportation Security Administration does not require paperwork for cremated remains, but your specific airline may request copies of existing paperwork or ask you to fill out their own paperwork. In any case, it's recommended to bring a death certificate or certificate of cremation with your loved one's ashes when you are traveling by plane. Make sure you are familiar with the protocol for your airline and have prepared any necessary documents beforehand to ensure a hassle-free flight.
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When scattering ashes, be mindful of wind direction, and release the ashes at or near waist level. This helps avoid cremated remains blowing back into you or your guests' face(s). Take your time and release ashes slowly, both to prolong the moment and to avoid a large deposit of remains at once.
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.
