When it comes to planning for the future and protecting your loved ones, funerals should be a concern. If you are considering cremation services in Cranbury, NJ, odds are you will be looking to choose an urn.

However, like the service that prompts their use, cremation urns come with a number of considerations. More often than not, you have to think about features like shape, design, size, texture, material, and more.

Keep reading to learn how to efficiently select an urn without getting overwhelmed by all the available options.

What to Consider When Choosing a Cremation Urn

Cremation urns can be made from several materials, including wood, bronze, porcelain, and even precious metals like gold.

While some individuals may want to choose an urn that matches their loved one’s taste in material or color, others may prioritize different factors.

If you are interested in cremation and are looking for a suitable urn for ashes, here are some questions you should ask yourself:

How much ashes am I expecting?

The quantity of remains after cremation depends on the body size of the deceased individual. E.g., infant vs. adult, human vs. pet.

When choosing an urn, ensure it can hold the ashes that will remain after the cremation process is complete. This is about eight pounds for the average adult human.

Bear in mind that an urn’s inner capacity determines what it can contain, not its outer appearance.

What style do I want?

Urns come in various styles, from vintage to contemporary. Some are designed with multiple compartments (e.g., companion urns). In contrast, some, like keepsake urns, can only take a portion of ashes.

Some urns bear religious symbols, image(s) of the deceased or other elements of their interests. If you want a more personalized option, consider purchasing an urn that is hand-carved or can be engraved.

What material will be best?

As mentioned earlier, many different materials are used to create cremation urns. Some materials can be quite expensive, given their rarity and durability.

You will want to select quality materials that can withstand exposure to the elements your urn will be exposed to. Nonetheless, as long as your choice meets the basic requirements, its look and how much you spend on it is entirely up to you.

Consider the Use case

What you plan to use an urn for is the most important factor to consider, as it determines everything else.

If you want to bury the cremated remains, you may be required to get a biodegradable urn. Besides environmental concerns, many cemeteries specify what urn features are acceptable, including dimension and material.

Suppose you are displaying the remains at home or in a columbarium niche. In that case, you may want to consider the urn’s color and finish. Questions like whether it will fade over time if exposed to sunlight or how it fits the space may come up.

There is also the matter of how long you intend to use an urn. Temporary urns may work as a placeholder while you decide on your final disposition options, in which case any simple one will do.

However, when buying the urn the deceased will be permanently inurned in, you want to take your time to assess every angle.

The above and your budget will be your best bet at deciding the right urn for you. Take a look at our urn selections and planning guides for cremation services in Cranbury, NJ. For immediate need, you can call us anytime or plan to visit us today to discuss more.