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The “best” urn is the one that fits your plans: where the remains will be kept, whether they will be shared or scattered, and your budget. This guide walks through each decision. We have not tested individual products, so we focus on what to look for.
1. Start with the plan for the remains
| Plan | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Keep at home | Any durable material; a secure lid; a design you’ll be comfortable seeing daily |
| Columbarium niche | Exact niche dimensions from the cemetery |
| Cemetery burial | Whether the cemetery requires an urn vault |
| Scattering | A scattering tube or simple temporary container; perhaps a keepsake |
| Water burial | A biodegradable water urn |
| Sharing among family | Several keepsake or small urns |
| Travel by air | A container that passes airport X-ray (wood, plastic or composite) |
2. Get the size right
Use about 1 cubic inch per pound of body weight. Most adults need a standard urn of about 200 cubic inches. Use the urn size calculator.
3. Choose a material
- Metal (brass, aluminum, steel): durable and widely available; heavy; may not clear airport X-ray.
- Wood: warm appearance, often engravable; travel-friendly.
- Ceramic and porcelain: artistic designs; fragile.
- Stone and marble: heavy and durable; typically higher priced.
- Biodegradable (paper, salt, sand, plant fiber): for burial in soil or water.
- Glass: decorative; best for keepsakes kept indoors.
4. Personalization
Engraving, photo panels and custom designs usually add cost and time. Order early if the urn is needed for a service.
Price ranges
Urns range from inexpensive temporary containers to handcrafted pieces costing hundreds or more. Our funeral cost calculator uses general ranges of about $50 to $150 for a basic urn, $150 to $400 mid-range, and $400 to $1,500 premium. You may buy an urn anywhere; the funeral home may not charge you a fee for using it.
Browse urns
- Adult cremation urns
- Wooden urns
- Keepsake urns
- Companion urns
- Biodegradable water urns
- Scattering tubes
Arranging a cremation?
If you are still making arrangements, the funeral home can show you its urn options and explain what is included.