Choosing the Size of a Cremation Urn

Cremation urns are available in a variety of different sizes based on the amount of ashes produced and on your plans for your loved one’s cremains. After your loved one has been cremated, your cremation provider will return their ashes to you in a temporary container, so it will be important for you to choose an urn in a size that will adequately hold and safely store your loved one’s cremains.

According to the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), industry standards require that cremation urns offer one cubic inch of space for each pound of body weight. For example, if your loved one weighed 200 pounds, you would need to purchase an urn that could hold at least 200 cubic inches of cremains. This particular industry standard can help both family members and cremation providers determine the size of an urn needed before making a purchase.

Many cremation providers will suggest purchasing an urn slightly larger in size than is needed to avoid obtaining an urn that is too small for cremains. The amount of cremains you’ll receive from your cremation provider may vary depending on a number of variables, such as the temperature used inside the crematorium, the bone and skeletal structure of your loved one, and various other factors involved in the processing of your loved one’s cremains. Sometimes you may receive slightly more cremains than you originally expected, and will need an urn that supports the extra cubic inches.

If you plan on purchasing a cremation urn on the Internet, verify its size and specifications prior to making your purchase to ensure that the urn will fully support the cremains of your loved one.

Individual urn
Most urns available on the market are specially crafted for one adult person, or individual. These types of urns can normally support between 175 and 300 cubic inches of cremains. In most cases, the average amount of cremains you’ll receive from your cremation provider comes out to less than 200 cubic inches.

Companion urn
A companion urn is designed to store the cremains of two adults, and is normally ideal for couples and partners. Most companion urns can support between 400 and 600 cubic inches of cremation ashes, which is usually more than enough space to hold two people.

Child or infant cremation urn
Cremation urns for children and infants are available in many different sizes and themes, and can support between 20 and 100 cubic inches of cremains.

Keepsake urn
Keepsake urns are normally much smaller in size because they are designed to be distributed amongst many different friends and family members, and would hold a very small amount of cremains as a result. Most keepsake urns will hold as little as a few teaspoons of cremains to as much as 100 cubic inches. An alternative to purchasing keepsake urns are keepsake jewelry, which are necklaces, pendants, bracelets, and rings that can hold a very small amount of your loved one’s cremains.

Heartland Cremation can help provide you with the guidance and planning you need for arranging the cremation of your loved one. Family-owned and operated, Heartland Cremation serves the Kansas City area, including the communities of Overland Park, Leawood, Prairie Village, Lenexa, and Olathe. Please contact us to discuss your cremation needs today.

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