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Understanding Urn Sizes
Two of the most important things about choosing an urn are the volume and the size. Volume refers to the urn’s capacity, or the amount of ashes the urn can hold in cubic inches. Since urns come in different shapes, it’s important to compare volume to size. Urn size refers to the exterior dimensions of the urn.
What Size Urn Do I Need?
Capacity for standard urn sizes can range between 200 to 250 cubic inches, so it’s important to calculate the correct volume needed for the deceased. Always check product details to be sure ashes and any extra personal items will fit in the selected urn. To calculate what size urn you need, convert the deceased’s healthy weight into cubic inches.
1 lb of body weight = 1 cubic inch
For example, if someone weighed 145 lbs, they’ll need an urn with the capacity of at least 145 cubic inches.
How Much Does an Urn Cost?
Sizes and urn costs don’t always correlate. Just because an urn is larger or can hold a larger capacity doesn’t mean that it will be more expensive than a smaller urn. For example, an intricate piece of cremation jewelry may cost more than a wooden cremation urn even though jewelry is only meant to hold a small portion of ashes.
Urn cost also takes into consideration the material and construction involved in creating an urn. Urns with ornate displays such as a butterfly garden, guitar, car, or sports reference will cost more than a simple wooden chest. Even wood prices vary drastically, so more exotic woods like maple and cherry will be more expensive than a traditional oak urn. Smaller keepsake urns made of materials such as marble, glass, or brass are designed to hold only a portion of urns, but because of their detail and beauty, can result in a higher urn cost.
Specialized urns, such as biodegradable ones, or ones that involve personalization, such as hand-painted features or additional customization and engraving can also affect urn cost. Perfect Memorials strives to provide everyone with an opportunity to purchase a quality and beautiful urn, so urn costs start at $14.95 and go up to $400+ depending on material and urn size. Regardless of cost, your loved one deserves to have a symbolic urn to be faithfully honored and remembered.
Determining Urn Capacity
If you have an urn and want to calculate the capacity of ashes it will hold, measure and multiply the length by width by height. If your urn is round or has a unique shape, determining the capacity may be trickier but for wooden urn box dimensions, the formula will stay consistent:
length x width x height = volume (capacity)
There are many types of urns to choose from depending on whether you’d like to keep ashes close, share ashes with family, or have an urn to display:
- Keepsake Urns
- Cremation Jewelry
- Individual Cremation Urns
- Companion Urns
- Urns for Small Children or Infants
- Pet Urns
Keepsake Urns & Cremation Jewelry
Keepsake urns are crafted to hold a small portion of remains. Families will commonly choose to use keepsakes as memorials that several individuals from the family can have with them. These are also sometimes referred to as portion urns or sharing urns.
Cremation jewelry allows for storage of a small pinch of cremains to be held inside. These memorials come in beautiful designs and styles for everyday wear. Cremation jewelry allows grieving individuals to hold their departed loved one close.
Typical Capacity: .25 cubic inches – 50 cubic inches
View selection of keepsake urns and cremation jewelry.
Individual Urn Sizes
Individual size cremation urns are the most common size urn available today. The term “individual,” typically refers to a capacity of 150 cubic inches or greater. It is important to remember that for every 1 pound of healthy weight, there will be 1 cubic inch of cremains. This means if a person is 150 pounds at time of cremation, they will require an urn at least 150 cubic inches. Choosing an urn larger than the minimum required size is perfectly acceptable. Many families choose to use larger urns so keepsakes or other mementos can be placed in the urn.
Typical Capacity: 150 cubic inches - 300 cubic inches
View selection of cremation urns.
Companion Cremation Urn Sizes
Companion urns are designed to hold the remains of up to two adult individuals. The volume for these urns is typically 380 cubic inches to 500 cubic inches. Companion urns are commonly used for couples that make the decision to be together after passing. Many families will choose to purchase a companion urn before both couples have passed. This personal decision is usually made so when the couples pass, their ashes can be kept together.
Typical Capacity: 380 cubic inches - 500 cubic inches
View selection of companion urns.
Small Children & Infant Urns Sizes
Special accommodations apply when purchasing an urn for an infant or small child. For infants under 10 lbs, an urn with a minimum of 20 cubic inches is recommended. For children 10-20 lbs, an urn with a minimum of 30 cubic inches or more is recommended. As with individual urns, purchasing an urn larger than the minimum is perfectly acceptable. The additional space is commonly used to store a letter, photos, stuffed animals, or a favorite outfit.
Typical Capacity: 20 cubic inches - 80 cubic inches
View selection of children and infant urns.
Pet Urn Sizes
When purchasing an urn for a pet it is important to consider the cremation process for pets is different and they may need a slightly larger urn than the cubic equivalent to weight. It is suggested to add an additional 10-15 cubic inches to the urn to accommodate for extra space. So, if your pet had a healthy weight of 50 lbs., it recommended to purchase an urn that is 60-65 cubic inches in size. It is also important to note that choosing an urn larger than the minimum required size is perfectly acceptable. Many families choose to use the additional space within the urn for their pet’s favorite toy or their collar.
Typical Capacity: 20 cubic inches - 150 cubic inches
View selection of pet urns.
Now that you know the size urn that will accommodate your loved one, use our easy Urn Finder. This helpful tool will allow you to sort by urn details such as size, style, material and color.
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