If your loved one has chosen to be cremated, you'll need a vessel to hold the ashes after they pass away. You can display the cremation urn in a prominent place to honor the memory of the departed. The following advice is tailored to help you find an appropriate urn to keep your loved one's remains safe. 

How to Select a Cremation Urn

1. Contact the Mortuary

For guidance on what size of urn to get, reach out to the mortuary that handled the cremation of the remains. Based on how many pounds your loved one's ashes weigh, the representatives can let you know what capacity the vessel should hold in cubic inches. This way, you won't get an urn that's too small to hold the ashes. If ashes are divided among family members, you'll also know what size the smaller containers should be. 

2. Consider Location

Some cremation urn materials are more durable than others, so consider where the vessel will be placed. Metal, for example, can withstand the elements, which is why bronze, pewter, and stainless-steel urns are often found in cremation niches and other outdoor environments. Stone is also a long-lasting choice for an open-air location. Blown-glass, hardwood, and other fragile and porous materials are better suited for urns that are kept indoors. 

3. Think About Your Loved One's Accomplishments

Creating a design for the cremation urn is similar to thinking of a headstone epitaph. An epitaph is a short message about the deceased, while an urn's design visually conveys more about the life of the departed. To this end, you can incorporate your loved one's interests or accomplishments into the urn design. If they were in the military, for example, incorporate service member symbols or patriotic emblems on the surface.

For cremation services to honor your loved one's last wishes, contact the funeral directors at family-owned Shirley Brothers Mortuaries & Crematory in Indianapolis, IN. From helping choose cremation urns to providing burial services, the mortuary has been assisting central Indiana families with every aspect of funeral planning for over a century. Learn more about the venerable mortuary online, and call (317) 897-9606 to speak with a courteous, compassionate representative.