How to choose an urn

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1. Where will the urn go?

Destination	What to check
Kept at home	Durable material, a secure lid or base, and a style you'll live with. See keeping ashes at home.
Cemetery burial	Whether the cemetery requires an urn vault (in which case the urn itself can be simple) and any size limits.
Columbarium niche	The niche's interior dimensions — measure before buying. Glass-front niches favor display urns.
Scattering	A scattering urn or tube makes it easier; no permanent urn needed.
Water or earth burial	A biodegradable urn designed for that purpose. See biodegradable urns.
Air travel	A container that can pass X-ray screening (wood, plastic or cardboard). See traveling with cremated remains.

2. Size and capacity

A common rule of thumb is one cubic inch of capacity per pound of healthy body weight. Most adults fit a standard 200-cubic-inch urn; taller or larger people may need 250 or more. Companion urns for two people usually hold about 300 to 450 cubic inches. Capacity, not outside size, determines fit.

3. Materials

• Metal (brass, aluminum, steel): durable and usually sealable; often the most economical durable option.
• Wood: warm and often engravable; keep out of direct sun and damp.
• Ceramic and porcelain: decorative, but can chip or break.
• Stone and marble: very durable and heavy.
• Glass: artistic; handle with care.
• Biodegradable (paper, salt, sand, plant fibers): for burial or water, not long-term display.

4. Closure and personalization

• Threaded lids or screw-on base plates are more secure than friction-fit lids. A small amount of sealant can be added for permanence.
• Engraving is often available but adds production time — check delivery dates against your service date.
• Keep remains in the inner bag the crematory provides; it makes transferring them easier and cleaner.

Browse urns by type

These links go to Amazon category searches. We haven't tested individual products; use the checks above and read each listing's capacity and dimensions carefully.

Buying from the funeral home instead

Funeral homes sell urns too, and buying there can be simpler: they can transfer the remains for you and the urn is in hand quickly. Ask for their urn price list and compare. Either choice is reasonable.

Sources and references

1. Federal Trade Commission: Shopping for Funeral Services
2. Transportation Security Administration: Cremated Remains (What Can I Bring?)

Rules, benefit amounts and prices change. Where a source is a government agency, check it directly for current figures. See our sources and fact-checking policy.