How do I decide what size cremation urn is right for my needs?

Just like people and pets, cremation urns come in many different shapes and sizes. Follow these simple rules of thumb to determine the size urn you need:

• 1 lb. of body weight will yield just less than 1 cubic inch of ash. Assume for shopping purposes that:
  1 pound body weight = 1 cubic inch ash.

• Cremation urn item descriptions list the size of the urn in Cubic Inches. If you know the weight of the deceased - then you know the size of the urn you need. Approx Weight = Approx Size.

• Easy example: A cremated 100 pound person will yield almost 100 cubic inches of ashes. So, if 1 pound = 1 cubic inch then this person would need an urn that is about 80-100 cubic inches.

Some practicle examples:

• a 240 lb. person needs an urn that is 200 cubic inches or larger
• a 200 lb. person needs an urn that is 180 cubic inches or larger
• a 150 lb. person needs an urn that is 130 cubic inches or larger
• a 100 lb. person or pet needs an urn that is 80 cubic inches or larger
• a 50 lb. person or pet needs an urn that is about 40 cubic inches or larger
• a 25 lb. person or pet needs an urn that is about 20 cubic inches or larger
• a 10 lb. or pet needs an urn that is about 8 cubic inches or larger
• "Keepsake Urns" are typically 1-20 cubic inches are intended to hold a very small portion of ashes - not the full amount of a persons or pets ashes...just a small amount.

Urn sizing notes:

• The 1 to 1 ratio of Weight to Cubic Inches will insure you purchase an urn that is the right size 99% of the time.
• Urn capacity can only be too small. An urn is only too big if you think it is too big.
• Cremated remains (ashes) can vary in amount due to different cremation processes, temperature variations and the bone structure of the decedent. Buy an urn slightly larger than calculated to avoid having the urn be to small for the ashes.
• The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) determined that the standard capacity of a single adult urn should be 200 cubic inches. Keepsake urns, Keepsake Jewelry, Small and Medium Size Urns are execeptions.

Cremation urn categories typically break down different types of urns into relevant size and material categories. For example, Double Urns are cremation urns large enough and/or designed to hold the ashes of two people. On the other side of the cremation urn size spectrum we have Keepsake Urns which are urns with a very small capacity designed to hold small amounts of ashes or for sharing a loved ones ashes. Other size specific categories are Medium Size Urns, Infant Urns, Keepsake Jewelry and Pet Urns.

Please contact Mainely Urns for any questions regarding funeral urns, burial urn, cremation urns, pet urns or urn burial vaults.