Cherished Urns Frequently Asked Questions
What size urn should I choose?
You can calculate the size of urn you need, by considering the weight of the deceased. Generally speaking, 1 pound of body weight, when cremated, will create around 1 cubic inch of ashes. As a pound is just under half a kilogram, for someone who weighed around 90 kilograms, you would require an urn with a capacity of approximately 200 cubic inches. Bear in mind that cremation processes can vary, and so the cremated remains may weigh a little more, or less, than expected. Your chosen crematorium will be able to advise you on how their cremation process may vary from others.
How do I safely move the ashes into the urn?
The crematorium or funeral director will present the ashes to you in a container. To safely transfer the ashes into your chosen urn, you will first need to place the container inside the urn. Then, carefully release the ashes into the urn. If you're uncertain at all, or not confident moving the ashes alone, we recommend asking a friend or family member to help you.
Or, if it's not something you feel comfortable with, you could ask the funeral director for their assistance. We're always here to help, and if you'd like, we will send your chosen urn straight to the funeral director or crematorium. This way, you can ask them to place the ashes straight into the urn, rather than into another container.
Where should I put the urn?
The placement of urns, once they contain ashes, is a very personal choice. While some families choose to keep their loved at home, others opt to scatter their ashes in a fitting location. Others select a final resting place for their loved one, and bury the urn. Alternatively, some urns are placed into a niche within a columbarium, or in a crypt in a mausoleum. When families choose to scatter ashes, they often then keep the urn in their home, or their garden, as a memorial to their loved one.
Within a home, some urns are placed in a prominent position within a family room, such as on a mantelpiece, or a coffee table. Other families choose to use an urn as a decorative ornament, or place it alongside much-loved books or photo albums.
You may choose to keep the urn in one location, and then to move it later on. Some families keep their loved one's ashes at home for the first year or two, until they feel ready to scatter them, for example. Whichever path you choose, it's important to do what feels right. You know best what feels natural to you, and what your loved one would have wanted.
Could I put personal items in the urn, with my loved one's ashes?
Yes, you could. In fact, urns are often used to store things other than cremated remains. Some of our clients tell us they have scattered the ashes and, now, keep other personal items in the urn. This could be a memento from the person, such as a lock of hair, or a photograph. We have other clients who have chosen, instead, to put these items in with the ashes themselves. Again, it's a very personal choice. It's worth considering before you select your urn size; you might choose a slightly larger urn, if you think this is something you'd like to do.
How will I open the urn?
Urns come in all shapes and sizes. Some open slightly differently, too. It depends on the specific design you choose, but your chosen urn will likely have a threaded screw-top lid. You may also find some urns that open from the base, or even from the rear. Pet cremation urns, in particular, are likely to open from the base or the rear.
Should I seal the urn?
It's unlikely you'll need to seal the lid. Although designs vary, most urns will close firmly, meaning you don't need to secure them any further. Brass urns, for example, close securely using a threaded lid. It's absolutely your choice. If you do decide that you want to seal the urn, you can purchase an appropriate sealant from a DIY store.
What is a keepsake urn?
A keepsake urn is used when a small amount of ashes is to be kept together. Keepsake urns are very small and only store a token volume of ashes. These urns are most commonly used by families who each want to keep some of the ashes. Alternatively, a token amount can be kept if a family decides to scatter the ashes in a meaningful place. For some people, they feel that by keeping a small amount with them, they will always have their loved one nearby.
What is keepsake jewellery?
Much like a keepsake urn, keepsake jewellery allows family members to keep their loved one close. Typically, keepsake jewellery is worn as a necklace pendant, or a bracelet charm. The pendant or charm has a very small cavity, to house a small amount of ashes. Sizes vary, but the average volume is around half a teaspoon of ashes.
How do I transfer ashes into keepsake jewellery?
Keepsake jewellery will be sent to you in a presentation box, and with a funnel for you to use when depositing the ashes. You'll also receive instructions on how to transfer ashes into the jewellery. You'll find either a screw-top or plug in the rear or base, to open the jewellery up. Like with your urn, if you're uncomfortable moving the ashes yourself, you could ask the funeral director if they would help you.
How secure are ashes within keepsake jewellery?
Once you've closed the plug or screw-top, the ashes should be perfectly secure within your keepsake jewellery. To be doubly sure, you could add a little super glue, or epoxy resin, to seal it closed. Though your pendant or charm may be fairly waterproof, we wouldn't recommend bringing your keepsake jewellery into contact with water – either in a swimming pool, or in the shower.
Can I use a normal urn, rather than a pet urn, for my pet's ashes?
Absolutely. Choosing an urn is a very personal process, and if you've seen a design you like, it makes little difference whether it's listed as a pet urn, or a human urn. Both types of urn serve the same purpose. Pet urns might have a slightly smaller capacity, in some cases, so it's worth double-checking the size. What's important is that you find an urn that you feel is a fitting tribute to your loved one.
What are the different types of urn?
Urns can serve many different purposes. Whilst traditionally used to store the ashes of a loved one, urns today are used in many more ways. For example, whilst some families choose to keep their loved ones at home with them, others choose to scatter their ashes in a favourite, or meaningful, location. Once the ashes have been scattered, some families choose to store mementos in the urn, such as photographs of their loved one, or a lock of their hair.
Choosing an urn is a very individual process. It can take a while to find one which feels appropriate, and is a fitting resting place. Thankfully, we can offer a very wide range of options to our clients. We have urns of all materials, shapes, and designs. Some of our urns are traditionally shaped, while others have a more modern form. We have urns made from wood, brass, marble, glass, and many other materials. We also have a wide range of colours, patterns, and engravings to choose from. Every urn has its own character, and its own style.
While some people choose to store their loved one's urn at a chapel of rest, others choose to take the ashes and urn home with them. Some people also choose to bury the urn and ashes. Much like selecting an urn, the location in which you choose to keep the ashes is a very individual decision. If you choose to scatter the ashes, you may wish to look at the scatter tubes within our range.
Most of our standard-size urns have a capacity of approximately 200 cubic inches. This is the correct size for the average adult weighing around 90 kilograms. Traditionally made from wood, urns now come in many materials. Brass urns, for example, are highly durable. Traditional wooden urns are also durable, and offer refined, understated, beauty. Alternatively, there are some bio-degradable options which might appeal to those looking to bury their loved one's ashes.
Some clients choose not to contain all the ashes in one urn, preferring, instead, to split the ashes into smaller keepsake urns. This is a tasteful way in which to present a small amount of ash to family members, or friends. These can be used to retain a small amount of ashes after scattering the rest of them at a meaningful location.
Pet urns are specially designed as a lasting tribute to loved animals who have passed away. They come in several different shapes, with urns specifically designed to house all range of animal sizes. Dependant on the quantity of ashes, there is no reason why a pet's ashes cannot be housed in an urn designed for human ashes, or vice versa. When choosing to use a pet urn for human ashes, it's important to first check the capacity of the pet urn, to ensure there is enough capacity within the urn. What's most important is that the urn is the right urn, with a design appropriate for the person, or pet
We also offer keepsake jewellery, which can be used to hold a token amount of ash. This option is preferred by some as they feel closer to their loved one, by keeping some of their ashes with them, wherever they are. Because of the small volume of ash that can be stored in keepsake jewellery, this option is ideal when more than one family member feels they want to keep their loved one close.
Are there different materials available?
There are many different materials available to choose from, when selecting an urn. Each has its own advantages.
Brass is a traditional material for urns. Modern brass urns, however, have a wide range of designs, allowing you to choose a durable urn which is still a fitting expression of your loved one's individual tastes and personality. Our brass urns are cast, made from solid brass, and then skilfully decorated. Each piece is a mini masterpiece, offering beauty within a very solid, heavy weight, urn.
Just as with brass urns, the use of aluminium offers a strong and durable resting place for ashes. With aluminium, urns can be decorated with more intricate designs. Although made in a very similar way, aluminium urns are much lighter than brass.
When choosing a wooden urn, you will find traditional hardwood options, and more modern MDF options. All our wooden designs are beautifully finished. Simple or intricate, wooden urns are a fitting and traditional tribute to a loved one. Timeless heirlooms, wooden urns are sympathetic to all styles of décor, and offer a discrete tribute to your loved one, either on a mantelpiece, or on display in a quiet corner of a room.
Wooden urns can be looked after in much the same way as wooden furniture. A regular dust, or polish with furniture polish, will keep them looking their best. An occasional wipe-down with a clean cloth and mild soap will remove any unwanted dirt. Once the urn is clean, use a soft, clean, and dry cloth to remove any water.
If it's a striking urn you have in mind, you may want to consider one made of glass. Glass urns stand out from the crowd and offer a truly beautiful alternative to traditional wooden urns. Our glass urns are also surprisingly durable. They are carefully designed with a strong structure, thick walls, and secure-fitting lid, meaning you need not worry about your chosen urn being easily damaged.
We also offer marble and stone urns. Hand polished and unbeatably durable, marble urns are suitable to be kept either in the garden, or indoors. Timeless in their design, marble and stone urns provide a classic, stunning, resting place for your loved one.
How will the urn be shipped?
Your urn will be carefully packaged and sent to you as soon as possible. If you place an order before 2pm, you can be sure that the urn will be with you the next working day. We use several couriers, including Amazon, to fulfil our orders. This means that we can be sure to get your chosen urn to you right away.
How will the urn be packaged?
Each urn we deliver is carefully placed in a protective velvet bag, and then placed in a black velvet presentation box. This packaging is provided free of charge. It not only means your urn will be appropriately presented when you receive it, but that it will be carefully protected while it makes its way to your home.
What if I change my mind?
We know that selecting an urn can be difficult. And we have customers who do indeed change their mind after ordering. Losing a loved one is a tough time, and so we do our best to make urn selection simple. We make it easy to return or exchange urns. Take a look at our returns page for details, and if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Why should I choose an urn by Cherished Urns?
All our urns are carefully designed by us, and then skilfully created by our team of highly talented craftsmen. Highly experienced in metalwork, we exercise maximum care and attention to each urn we produce. Our absolute focus is quality. We accept nothing less than the very best. As it happens, the fact that we're so quality-focused means we reject a lot of urns. Urns that don't meet our quality standards get melted down and remade, right from the start. We take our time, and don't try to repair any flaws. If it's not right, we do it again. The combined skills of our team members allow us to offer the highest standard of product to our customers. Our team truly appreciate the value of our urns, in protecting the memory of those our customers have lost. It's for this reason that only the very best is good enough.
I'm a funeral director, do you have any trade offers?
We cater for individual customers and trade clients alike. With a large stockholding, we provide next day delivery, and trade pricing, for organisations within the funeral business. Take a look at our website and register for trade discount. We'll reply with a unique code. You can then use this code when ordering products on our website. We're very flexible and will do our best to cater for your requirements, so please don't hesitate to contact us.