Choosing an urn is often one of the few decisions after a cremation that isn’t urgent. The remains are returned in a temporary container, so you can take time to decide. This guide explains the main types of urn, how to get the size right, and which materials suit keeping, burial, or scattering.
Step 1: Decide what will happen to the remains
The right urn depends on where the remains will rest:
- Kept at home: almost any durable urn works. Choose a material and style you’ll be comfortable seeing every day.
- Placed in a columbarium niche: get the niche’s interior dimensions before buying. Many niches are small.
- Buried: ask the cemetery about its rules. Some require an urn vault, and some limit materials.
- Scattered: a scattering tube or urn makes it easier to release the remains. Check local rules first. See scattering and biodegradable urns.
- Shared among family: consider a main urn plus small keepsake urns or cremation jewelry.
Step 2: Get the size right
The common guideline is one cubic inch of urn capacity per pound of body weight. Many standard adult urns hold about 200 cubic inches, and companion urns about 400. Use the urn size calculator for an estimate, and check the capacity the maker lists. If you’re unsure, ask the crematory and size up.
Step 3: Choose a material
| Material | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Brass or other metal | Home, niche, burial with a vault | Durable and often heavy. Dense metal can be hard to screen for air travel. |
| Wood | Home display, some niches | Warm appearance, and can often be engraved. Keep away from moisture. |
| Ceramic or porcelain | Home display | Decorative, but can break if dropped. |
| Stone or marble | Home, garden, burial | Very durable and heavy. |
| Biodegradable (paper, salt, sand, plant fiber) | Water or ground burial | Designed to break down. Not meant for long-term display. |
Best cremation urns for different needs
Instead of ranking individual products we haven’t tested, we describe the type of urn that suits each situation. Each link goes to current options on Amazon.
Adult cremation urn (standard size)
- Common materials
- Metal (brass, aluminum), wood, ceramic, stone, or resin
- Capacity
- Typically about 200 cubic inches; check the listed capacity
- Good for
- Keeping the remains of one adult at home, in a niche, or for burial
- Before you buy
- Measure niche openings before buying. For burial, check whether the cemetery requires an urn vault.
Companion urn
- Common materials
- Metal, wood, or stone
- Capacity
- Often about 400 cubic inches, or two separate compartments
- Good for
- Keeping the remains of two people together
- Before you buy
- Decide between a single shared space and divided compartments.
Keepsake urn
- Common materials
- Metal, glass, or ceramic
- Capacity
- Small, often a few cubic inches
- Good for
- Sharing a portion of remains among family members
- Before you buy
- Keepsakes hold only a small portion. Plan where the rest will go.
Biodegradable urn
- Common materials
- Paper, salt, sand, plant fiber, or clay
- Capacity
- Check the listed capacity for a full adult
- Good for
- Water burial or ground burial where permitted
- Before you buy
- Choose water or earth use specifically, and check local rules first.
Scattering urn or tube
- Common materials
- Cardboard or paper
- Capacity
- Sized for adult remains; confirm the capacity
- Good for
- Carrying and releasing remains at a scattering site
- Before you buy
- Look for a controlled-pour opening. Check scattering permissions.
TSA-friendly travel urn
- Common materials
- Wood, plastic, or other material that can be X-rayed
- Capacity
- Varies; confirm it fits the full volume
- Good for
- Carrying remains on a flight
- Before you buy
- Check with the airline and TSA before travelling. Dense metal urns may not pass screening.
Questions to ask before you buy
- What is the listed capacity in cubic inches, and does it meet the estimate?
- How does the urn close? Is it a threaded lid, a bottom panel, or a sealed opening?
- Does the cemetery or columbarium have size or material rules?
- If you plan engraving, what does it cost and how long does it take?
- What is the seller’s return policy if the urn arrives damaged?
Related
Reviewed September 30, 2026.