Choosing a Cremation Urn for Ashes
Losing a loved one is never easy. The cremation process can be confusing and choosing the right urn for your loved one’s ashes can seem like an insurmountable task. But we’re…
Keep reading
10 unique ways to remember your loved one on their death anniversary
The anniversary of a loved one’s death doesn’t have to be a day of only sadness. Despite the pain the anniversary of a death holds, it’s also an opportunity to think about the…
Keep reading
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Choosing a Cremation Urn for Ashes
Losing a loved one is never easy. The cremation process can be confusing and choosing the right urn for your loved one’s ashes can seem like an insurmountable task.
But we’re here to help.
Ashes are the cremated remains of a person or pet. They are typically scattered, buried, or placed in a columbarium. However, some people choose to keep the ashes in an urn.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a cremation urn for ashes.
Size.
If you are considering this option, it is important to choose an urn that is the right size. Ashes typically weigh between 3lbs/1.3kg and 7lbs/3.2kgs, so you will need an urn that can accommodate this amount of weight and volume. In addition, you will need to consider the dimensions of the urn. You can use this handy guide to choosing a cremation urn size.
Space.
Ashes can take up a lot of space, so you will need to choose an urn that is large enough to hold them. For some, that might mean a smaller keepsake urn is a better option, where you keep some ashes as a memorial and scatter the rest.
Material.
You should also think about the material of the urn. Ashes can be damaging to certain materials, so you will need to choose an urn made from a durable material that can withstand the elements.
Consider what would be most appropriate for your loved one.
Were they traditional or more modern? Would they want their urn to be something that could be passed down through generations or would they prefer that it return to nature? The answer to these questions will help you narrow down your choices.
When most people think of cremation urns, they picture traditional brass urns. But there are actually a wide variety of materials available, including wood, ceramic, glass, and even biodegradable materials.
The material you choose should be based on your loved one’s personality as well as your own personal preferences.
If you’re looking for something traditional, brass urns are always a good choice. If you’re looking for something more unique or modern, there are plenty of other options available, especially if you are considering a keepsake urn for ashes and scattering the rest.
By considering these factors, you can choose an urn that is right for your needs.
Design.
The design of the urn is also important.
You want to choose an urn that reflects your loved one’s personality. If they were a fun-loving person, you might want an urn with a playful design.
If they were more serious, you might want an urn with a more traditional design.
Personalisation Options
Most cremation urns can be personalised with engravings or other forms of customization. This is a great way to make the urn more personal and unique.
When considering personalization options, think about what would be meaningful to you and your family. Perhaps there’s a special quote or phrase that was meaningful to your loved one. Or maybe you want to include a photo or image that captures their essence.
You can also purchase urn accessories that allow you to personalise the urn.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to personalizing cremation urns, so take your time and choose something that is perfect for your loved one.
Price.
Of course, price is also a factor when choosing an urn.
Urns can range in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars depending on the size, material, and design. It’s important to find something within your budget but don’t sacrifice quality just to save a few dollars.
This is something that will last forever so it’s worth investing in something that you’re happy with.
Conclusion:
Choosing an urn for your loved one’s ashes may seem like a daunting task but if you keep a few key things in mind, it can be surprisingly easy.
First, consider what size urn you need based on the amount of ashes produced by cremation.
Next, decide what material you would like the urn to be made from keeping in mind your loved one’s personality and interests.
Finally, choose a design and price point that fits within your budget. By following these simple guidelines, you’re sure to find an urn that is perfect for your loved one.
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10 unique ways to remember your loved one on their death anniversary
The anniversary of a loved one’s death doesn’t have to be a day of only sadness.
Despite the pain the anniversary of a death holds, it’s also an opportunity to think about the fond and funny moments they brought to your life and thank them for the good times.
There is no single way to mark an anniversary. We’ve put together 10 ways to honour a loved one on the anniversary of their death, to help you find the option that feels right to you.
1. Revisit a special place
When you commemorate the death anniversary of your loved one, take a moment to remember in a place that’s special.
This could be anywhere that had special significance for them and will also allow you an opportunity to create some new memories too!
Think about past holidays, times you had “firsts” or shared exciting news. If you don’t want to share the day with others, this is the perfect way to reconnect quietly with your memories.
2. Plan a “Day of Memories” with family and friends
It can be difficult to grapple with the loss of a loved one. However, anniversaries provide an opportunity to reflect on happy memories and to celebrate the life of the person who is no longer with us.
Rather than dwell on our grief, we can use this day to focus on the good times we shared. We can look through old photos, tell stories about our loved one, and share fond memories with family and friends.
In this way, we can keep our loved one’s memory alive while also honouring their life.
Summer is a great time for this. There’s something about a warm summer evening that just cries out for a party. Maybe it’s the long hours of daylight that make us feel like we have all the time in the world, or maybe it’s the memories of endless summer days from our childhood.
Whatever the reason, summer is the perfect time to get together with friends and family and celebrate life.
3. Eat, drink and be merry
Why not get together with friends and family to celebrate their life?
Especially on the anniversary of their death. You could have certain special food involved in honour of them.
Enjoy choosing what dish would be most fitting? Mixing drinks while sharing stories about how much we’ve all grown since then can also feel very nice too and help bring closure!
4. Death anniversary memorial service
If you would rather arrange a more formal, private memorial service for your loved one’s anniversary. It could be an intimate memorial with immediate family, or a larger gathering of all the friends and family who were important in your loved one’s life.
This is an ideal time to place your loved one’s memorial urn somewhere prominent, so they are the centre of the groups thoughts and wishes.
Arlington Memorial Gardens had a great campaign about “grandpa coming out of the closet”!
5. Plant a memorial tree
The memorial tree is a time-honoured tradition of planting a living memorial to honour the life of a loved one. Trees are lasting symbols of growth, life, and love, making them the perfect tribute to commemorate a life well-lived.
Plus, what better way to honour someone who was passionate about the environment than by planting a tree in their memory?
There are many ways to plant a memorial tree, but the most important thing is to choose a species that is native to your area. This will help ensure that the tree thrives in its new home and can be enjoyed by generations to come.
Once you have selected your tree, be sure to plant it in a location that receives plenty of sunlight and has well-drained soil. With a little care and attention, your memorial tree will serve as a beautiful reminder of your loved one for years to come.
You might also scatter some ashes at the base if you have kept them in a cremation urn or keepsake urn for ashes.
6. Create a photo memory book
A loved one’s death anniversary is a significant day. It can be difficult to know how to mark the occasion, but one simple and easy way is to create a photo memory book.
This can be used to reminisce on future anniversaries. This can be a special project for the whole family to work on together.
You can ask family and friends for their favourite photos of the deceased, and also include any tickets or other memorabilia that you have.
This will create a unique and personal tribute to your loved one that can be looked back on for years to come.
7. Move the day
Rather than remembering your loved one on the anniversary of their death, why not make their birthday the focus instead?
This can remind you of many joyful, happy occasions and perhaps prompt a smile, rather than a tear.
You could even have their preferred cake – no reason to stop that yummy tradition.
8. Support a charity
In today’s world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We forget about the things that are truly important.
One way to remind yourself of what’s truly important is to commemorate the anniversary of a loved one who was involved in a not-for-profit organisation or received support from a charity.
This is a great way to honour their memory and contribute to a cause that was important to them.
There are many ways to do this, such as making a financial contribution to the organisation or volunteering your time.
If they served in the armed forces, it’s a great opportunity to support a veteran’s charity.
Whatever you do, it’s sure to be appreciated by those who benefit from the organisation’s work.
9. Use Social Media
In recent years, social media has become an increasingly popular way to commemorate the anniversary of a loved one’s death.
A Facebook tribute post is a simple way to honour a deceased loved one and encourage friends and family to share their photos, memories, and messages of support and condolences.
While some may view this modern practice as impersonal or superficial, it can actually be quite meaningful and therapeutic for those who participate.
In a world where death is often seen as taboo, these online tribute posts can provide a much-needed space for grief and remembrance.
For many, they offer a chance to reflect on happy memories and celebrate the life of a beloved person. In short, social media tribute posts may not be traditional, but they can be significant, nonetheless.
10. Wear your memories every day!
Many people have special items, given to them by their loved ones to mark precious milestones.
Often, these are kept in drawers and never seen, considered too precious for every day. Why not start wearing them, especially on their anniversary?
And if people comment, it can be an opportunity to share a little about how it came to be in your life.
Another option is memorial cremation jewellery.
These specially designed items can hold a small amount of your loved one’s ashes, so that all who loved them can have a physical tie to their memory.
Gifting memorial jewellery to close family on your loved one’s anniversary would also be a memorable and unique way of celebrating their life.
You can find lots of options online on sites offering cremation jewellery. If your loved one wasn’t cremated, this jewellery could contain small keepsakes, such as a piece of fabric or a lock of hair.
If you are still experiencing strong feelings of loss and grief, the anniversary may prompt more sadness. Erika Krull provides some great information on grief to understand your emotions better and perhaps, find ways to move forward.
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History of Cremation Urns for Ashes
Early cremation urn use
It is very human to want something tangible to hold on to those who we have lost.
Unsurprisingly, the use of cremation urns to hold the ashes of our friends, family and fur-babies is a centuries old tradition.
The first known use of cremation urns was in China, about 7000BC. Pottery urns, still a preferred choice today, were used and, just like now, over 50 different styles were used.
Perhaps the different styles chosen reflected the life of the loved one and represented a way of remembering them.
The oldest evidence of cremations can be found in Europe in the Stone Age, around 3000BC. Again, pottery urns were used to hold the ashes and this process was seen as a sign of respect towards the deceased.
Over time, during the Bronze Age, urns became more decorative, as the tools and materials available began to evolve.
In the Greek Mycenaean Age (1000 to 800BC), cremation and increasingly elaborate burial customs become a more integral and accepted practise. The Greeks understood that cremation was a safer burial practice, during a time where plagues took the lives of many.
The Roman’s adopted this custom too and, by the time of the Roman Empire (27BC to 395AD), it was widely practiced across the empire, particularly for more honoured citizens.
During this time, the cremation urns were very elaborate and typically, Grecian in style. The most common was the lekythos style:
Cremations, and therefore the use of cremation urns to store ashes, fell out of favour when Christianity became on stronger force across Europe.
Early Christians considered the practice pagan and cremations become rare.
Over the next few thousand years, few urns were used and burial became the preferred pathway.
Recent History of Urns
Modern cremation and the re-introduction of cremation urns for ashes really only happened just over 150 years ago.
An Italian professor, Brunetti, perfected and displayed cremation urns at the 1873 Vienna Exposition.
Around the same time, Queen Victoria’s surgeon, Sir Henry Thomson, fostered the use of cremation and urns in the British Isles and Germany built the first European crematories in Europe.
In the “New World”, the first crematory was built in 1876 and grew to 20 by 1900, reflecting the increased acceptance amongst the Protestant clergy.
Popularised by King Otto of Bavaria, who died in 1916, the dispersal of ashes to various locations of significance to the deceased become a more desired way of honouring a life.
Along with the rise in cremations, there was also a parallel surge in demand for memorial urns.
Today, the cremation rate in the UK outnumbers burials and continues to grow across the world.
Many of the religions that were previously against cremation and the use of urns to store ashes have now embraced this tradition.
If this is the path you choose to honour a life, there will be a cremation urn design available that will resonate with you as a reminder of the essence of your loved one. Whatever style, shape or design you choose, you are part of a long honoured, global tradition, of people seeking to show reverence to the ones we have lost.
Ashes Cremation Urns 