Lifestyle

Saying Goodbye to a Loved One? Here Are 9 Things You Need to Know About Cremation

Cremations accounted for 50.2% of funerals in 2016, which was up from 48.5% in 2015. Are you thinking of cremation for your loved one but would like to know more?

In this article, you’ll learn all about cremation boxes, (cost of cremation) and how you can always hold onto your loved one’s memory with one.

Read on to discover 9 things you need to know about cremation urns.

1. Type of Urn

When picking out cremation urns, it’s important to keep in mind what you plan on doing with your loved one’s ashes.

Some different types of urns are:

  • Individual Urns hold the ashes of a single person. They can be kept for display or buried at a cemetery.
  • Keepsake Urns are smaller urns that only hold a portion of your loved one’s ashes. If you’re planning on splitting up the ashes between family or only burying a part of the ashes, this is a great option.
  • Companion Urns are larger urns that are made to fit 2 people so they can be remembered together.

Keep in mind your loved one’s personality as well when you’re picking out an urn. An example is if they cared about the environment, you’ll want to think about getting a biodegradable urn. If they had more simple tastes you probably don’t want something too ornate.

Check out this site for a wide variety of thoughtful urns, and to find the perfect cremation urn.

2. Materials Used

Urns can be made out of a variety of materials. Some popular materials are wood, metal, stone, and ceramic. Eco-friendly paper is becoming popular as well as other biodegradable options such as cornstarch, salt, and sand.

When picking out the best material for the urn you’ll want to keep in mind where it’ll be placed along with your loved one’s personality. Stone marble is a good choice if you’re going to bury it.

If you decide to go with wood instead of stone but still would like to bury it, that’s when you’ll need to buy a vault as well.

3. Budget

When picking out an urn keep your budget in mind. Urns are a wide range of prices, so you’re bound to find the perfect one within your budget. Keep in mind, the size of the urn plus the materials used, style, and design can affect the price.

Urns can vary in price from as little as $25 up to thousands of dollars. They can be economical if staying in the lower range.

4. Where the Remains Will Be Stored

If you’re contemplating placing the urn in a mausoleum, the cemetery or funeral home can let you know about any specifications to keep in mind when picking one out. If the urn will be buried at a cemetery you’ll want an urn vault as well.

The vault will stop the ground from collapsing over the urn. If you’d like to keep the urn at home, check local laws to make sure it’s permitted, and decide whether you’d store it outdoors or indoors.

5. Urn Personalization

Did you know that you can personalize the urn for your loved one? You can place a photo or other tribute on the urn.

6. Scattering Ashes

Will you be scattering the ashes of your loved one? Since wind and weather conditions can damper this you’ll want to look into urns specifically made for scattering ashes.

For scattering ashes, you’ll want to avoid ceramic urns since they can break, and wood urns since they require the screws holding in the base to be removed.

7. Receiving Ashes

If you buy the urn ahead of time you can provide it to the crematorium and you’ll receive your loved one within that urn. If you haven’t yet, you’ll receive the ashes stored in a plastic bag within a temporary urn.

If possible, it’s a good idea to pick out the urn ahead of time to avoid having to make a decision during a time of stress and missing your loved one. It can also be something your loved one can be involved in choosing before their passing which could ease the stress of wondering which to pick out.

You’ll also save on rush delivery shipping by ordering ahead of time, which will happen if you need it delivered by a certain date.

8. Size of Urn

When deciding what size urn, you’ll want to make sure it can hold all of the ashes you’d like stored in it. Urns are measured in cubic inches and 1 cubic inch is approximately 1 lb of body weight. So say your loved one was 185 lbs, you’d need a 185 cubic foot urn.

You can always get an urn that’s larger than what you need, there’s no harm in that, it’s about picking out the best fit for you and your family.

9. Personal Advocacy

If you decide to buy an urn online, the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule states that a crematorium or funeral can’t charge you a fee or refuse you if you bought an urn elsewhere. That includes an urn you made yourself as well.

Give Loved Ones Peace with Cremation Boxes

There’re many different things to think about and keep in mind when picking out cremation boxes.

After reading this guide, it should help ease some of the stress and unknown when picking out an urn. Remember, if possible try to pick out the urn ahead of time to avoid added stress for you and your family.

Would you like to learn more about everything from home and garden to lifestyle? Check out our other articles.

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