A Guide to Different Types of Cremation Urns: Choosing the Right Memorial

Selecting a cremation urn is a deeply personal decision. With many urn types available, understanding their purpose and benefits can help families choose a memorial that truly honors their loved one’s life and wishes. Below, we explain the most common types of cremation urns and who they are best suited for.

Adult Cremation Urns: Timeless & Versatile Memorials

Adult cremation urns are designed to hold the full ashes of one adult and are the most commonly chosen option. They offer flexibility in placement and design, making them suitable for home display, burial, or columbarium niches.

Available in materials such as metal, wood, ceramic, and marble, adult urns range from classic and traditional to modern and artistic styles. Many families choose adult urns for their durability and timeless appearance.

Best for:
✔ Full ashes storage
✔ Home display or burial
✔ Traditional memorial preferences

Keepsake Urns: Sharing Memories with Loved Ones

Keepsake urns hold a small portion of ashes, allowing families to share remembrance among multiple loved ones. These compact urns are often chosen for symbolic memorials or personal keepsakes kept close at home.

Heart-shaped keepsake urns, mini urns, and token urns are popular choices, especially for children, siblings, or close friends.

Best for:
✔ Sharing ashes
✔ Personal remembrance
✔ Small home displays

Companion Urns: A Shared Resting Place

Companion urns are designed to hold the ashes of two individuals, often chosen by couples or life partners. These urns may feature a single shared chamber or dual compartments for separate ashes.

Companion urns symbolize unity and lifelong connection, making them a meaningful choice for families planning a shared memorial.

Best for:
✔ Couples or partners
✔ Shared burial or display
✔ Unified remembrance

Child & Infant Urns: Gentle Memorials for Young Lives

Child and infant urns are thoughtfully designed to honor young lives with sensitivity and care. These urns are smaller in capacity and often feature soft colors, comforting symbols, or delicate artwork.

They provide families with a dignified way to memorialize a child while offering comfort during an incredibly difficult time.

Best for:
✔ Infant or child ashes
✔ Personalized, gentle designs
✔ Small memorial spaces

Scattering Urns: Designed for Ash Scattering Ceremonies

Scattering urns are lightweight and easy to handle, created specifically for scattering ashes at a meaningful location. They are often biodegradable or designed for temporary use.

Families who choose scattering urns appreciate their simplicity and convenience during memorial ceremonies.

Best for:
✔ Ash scattering at sea or land
✔ Temporary storage
✔ Memorial ceremonies

Biodegradable Urns: Eco-Friendly Memorial Choices

Biodegradable urns are made from natural materials that return gently to the earth over time. These urns are ideal for green burials or water ceremonies and reflect environmentally conscious values.

They are available in adult and keepsake sizes and are increasingly popular among families seeking sustainable memorial options.

Best for:
✔ Green burials
✔ Water or ground ceremonies
✔ Eco-conscious families

Burial Urns: Designed for Cemetery Placement

Burial urns are crafted to withstand underground conditions and may be used with urn vaults depending on cemetery requirements. These urns prioritize durability while maintaining a respectful appearance.

They are available in classic materials such as metal, stone, and marble.

Best for:
✔ Ground burial
✔ Cemetery requirements
✔ Long-term preservation

Decorative & Display Urns: Memorials for the Home

Decorative cremation urns are designed to blend seamlessly into home décor. These urns often resemble decorative vessels while securely holding ashes, offering a discreet yet meaningful remembrance.

Families who wish to keep their loved one close often choose decorative urns for shelves, mantels, or memorial corners.

Best for:
✔ Home display
✔ Decorative remembrance
✔ Modern interiors

Choosing the Right Urn Type for Your Needs

When selecting a cremation urn, consider:

• How much ashes the urn must hold
• Whether ashes will be shared or scattered
• Final resting place (home, burial, or ceremony)
• Material and design preferences