As sad and heartbreaking as it may be, death is inevitable. When a loved one passes away, there are various details that have to be taken care of, which can add to your emotional and mental distress. For obvious reasons, this is not an experience that anyone would want to go through. But, unfortunately, anyone can be forced to take on the huge responsibility of arranging their loved one’s funeral or burial arrangements, while they are grieving and still coming to terms with their unfortunate loss. Buying an urn is a task that a lot of people find difficult. They often face questions regarding the size of the urn, the material of the urn, and the possibility of leakage. But if you know what to look for, the process of buying an urn can be quite straightforward. Here are some of the qualities you need to look for when buying a cremation urn.
Material
Selecting the right material for the urn will depend on what you intend to do with the ashes. There are various materials that urns are made of, from wood to marble. If you intend to scatter the ashes, then the material of the urn does not play a significant role and can be anything of preference. If you intend to bury the ashes you should opt for biodegradable urns. Urns made up of bamboo, wood, cardboard or even paper are easily available and are your best bet. There are even urns available that are made from plant-based material and water and can be buried along with seeds. Once these urns decompose they help nourish the seeds and allow the roots of the plant to grow in different directions. If you decide to keep and store the ashes, then you need to select a material that has a long life. Wood, marble, ceramic, or glass urns would be a good choice.
Size
The size of the urn depends on the person being cremated and varies from one person to the other. The remains are composed of the cremated bones of the deceased, so the size of the urn does not exactly relate to the person’s weight. Standard urns for an adult have a volume of roughly 213 cubic inches. On the other hand, an urn for a child would be smaller, ranging between 30 to 150 cubic inches. A general rule of thumb is to add one cubic inch for every pound of body weight. If you are buying an urn for a beloved pet, the urn designers at greenmeadowmemorials.com recommend a size of 40 cubic inches for cats and dogs weighing up to 40 pounds. For dogs weighing above 40 pounds, you may have to go as high as 120 cubic inches.
Cost
The cost of urns varies depending on the material and the amount of personalization that will go into it. While generic and cost-effective urns can be sourced from the funeral home itself, if you have a specific material or design in mind, you will have to turn to other sources. While a good quality urn can be obtained for 45 to 100 dollars, it is not uncommon for urns to sell for thousands of dollars as well. The cost of the urn further depends on the country of origin. Urns manufactured in the United States tend to be cheaper as the ones that are imported are subject to an import fee.
Sealing
How the urn seals is an important factor to consider that is often related to what you intend to do with the ashes. There are different ways in which urns seal. Some are sealed permanently, some use a screw mechanism, while in some urns the lid simply rests on the urn, but can be sealed easily using glue. If you wish to scatter the ashes, using an urn that comes with a screw-on lid would be advisable. But if you wish to store the ashes you could go either way depending on the choice of material
There are various things that you need to keep in mind while purchasing a cremation urn. There is no particular size or type that would suit everyone as it depends on the height of the deceased person or pet and what you intend to do with the ashes. Your budget also plays an important role. Another important factor that you need to keep in mind is the shipping time. Standard urns are usually kept in stock and can be shipped immediately. On the other hand, personalized urns can take longer to arrive at your doorstep. Keeping these points in mind can help you select the perfect cremation urn for your loved one.
