Urns for ashes are available in many sizes, their capacity is measured in cubic inches.
The amount of cremated remains is determined by the weight/build of a person before their death.
For a full size urn to hold all of the cremated remains of an adult allow for 1 Cubic Inch for every 1 lb body weight before their passing. For holding a portion of the ashes you can select a much smaller urn or keepsake.
See our Urn Size Guide Table for more guidance.

Many crematoriums and funeral homes will transfer cremated remains into a funeral urn of your choosing if you are organized and provide it to them before you are due to collect your loved ones ashes.

If you do not provide a funeral urn to the crematory you will receive your beloveds ashes back in a temporary cremation urn/box. You can then transfer the ashes from this temporary box into the cremation urn you choose when you are ready to.
If you are not comfortable transferring the cremated remains yourself you can ask a friend or family member to help.

How to fill a funeral or cremation ash urn?
We talk about how to transfer ashes on this page.

Yes, it is completely safe to touch cremation remains. Due to the body is cremated at such a high The high temperature during the cremation process means all micro-organisms are destroyed.
Because the ashes consist of mainly calcium phosphate (as well as other minerals and salts) they may cause skin and respiratory irritation so avoid it getting into your eyes, mouth or nose.

No. Ashes do not have to be stored in a funeral urn.
If you don't have a cremation urn then you will most likely receive the ashes in a plastic bag inside either a cardboard or plastic container.
You can store the remains in this cremation vessel if you wish or transfer them to an alternative memorial urn or container of your choosing.

Cremation ashes can be placed inside the cremation urn either inside the plastic bag they were received in, inside a new plastic bag or they may be placed loose in an urn.
Some ash urns, especially mini/token urns and cremation jewelry require they ashes to be loose because if their size and the opening for transferring the remains.

In short, Yes, as long as your religious beliefs do not prohibit it.
Dividing ashes is a popular choice, it can allow a token of ashes to be kept if choosing to scatter the bulk of the ashes or for ashes to be shared amongst family member so each gets to keep a little part of the deceased.
Sometimes the partner of the deceased will keep the majority of the ashes in an adult urn and share ashes with their children in small keepsake urns.

This is a really personal question and does not have a one size fits all answer. This will depend on yourself, the person who we have lost and what you are planning to do with their ashes after cremation:

• If you want it to hold all of the cremation ashes, a small amount of ashes
  
• What you plan to do with the ashes after cremation, e.g. burial, scattering ashes, memorial jewelry, keep the cremation ashes at home or combine with another person in the future.
  
• The style of urn you would like; traditional, modern, decorative or unique. This will depend on what you plan to do with the ashes and the personality of the deceased and yourself.
• Material; wooden cremation urns, metal cremation urns, glass, ceramic, biodegradable there is such a wide variety of materials available and the right one depends on your individual situation.

No, not all urns need to be sealed. Many cremation urns, including all of those in our range, have a secure treaded lid, or a screw holding the opening of the urn securely shut.
If the lid on your chosen ash urn doesn't feel secure though it would be advisable to seal it with an adhesive suited to the material the urn is made from.

If you have scattered ashes or combined them at a later date you may be left wondering what to do with the urn that once housed the cremated remains, this is up to you but some popular options are:

1. Keep the urn a tribute you your beloved. You can even use it to treasure little mementoes and keepsakes to keep them safe.
   
   This is a beautiful option for our decorative candle and vase urn which can continue to be used to celebrate their life in this way.
   
   
2. Keep the cremation urn in the family for use in future deaths,
   
   
3. Dispose of the ash urn, because of the materials used in making cremation urns many can be recycled. Check with local facilities to see if this option is available to you.
   
   
4. Donate to charity. Some charities will accept urns for ashes which they then pass along to those that cannot afford to buy one for free or the cost of shipping.

Small Keepsake urns for human ashes as smaller cremation urns which are designed to hold just a portion of cremated remains. This could be for splitting ashes between families, keeping a small portion of ashes if you scatter or bury the majority.

Mini urns are also suitable for use as infant and child urns.

Many Pet owners treat their animals as their babies and they use keepsake ashes to store their ashes too.