If your loved one has requested to be cremated and you’ve been tasked with choosing the urn, you may have a few questions about your choices. Anything from style to size decisions may be overwhelming during this difficult time. Here’s a guide that may help you make these important selections. 

What to Know About Memorial Urns

Are there different sizes available?

Yes, and for different reasons. Most commonly, there is the individual-sized urn that will hold one person’s ashes. The industry standard for these is 200 cubic inches, which holds about 6.8 pints.

If family members want to share ashes, keepsake urns are available for holding 50 to 100 cubic inches of volume. These also allow you to take home or scatter a portion of the remains while keeping most of the ashes at the memorial site. 

How do I select one?

The style you choose can reflect your loved one’s personality. Since urns come in so many different types of materials, colors, and finishes, you can find one that represents your loved one and what they loved. For example, options with religious symbols can represent a loved one’s faith.

Do eco-friendly options exist?

Yes. Biodegradable options are made from materials such as bamboo, cornstarch, ceramic, and even salt. These can be buried or used to scatter ashes at sea. Salt urns, for example, dissolve within four hours when placed in a body of water.

Can I place other items inside?

Yes. Many people choose to add cards, photos, rings, and other keepsakes that were personal to the deceased. Simply keep the remains in the plastic bag, place that in the urn, then place the other belongings on top before closing the container. 

If you need to find the perfect cremation urn for your loved one’s memorial, McGee Monument will help. Their selections range in shape, style, and size to suit your needs. Their six locations in Arkansas provide beautiful monuments and memorials to honor your loved ones. Stop by their website to view their gallery of past memorials, or call (800) 750-0177 to learn about their customized options.