Choosing an Urn in Canada — Materials, Sizes, and Considerations
Urn selection is one of those funeral decisions that feels small but matters emotionally. The urn is the physical object that holds what remains of the person — choosing one that fits the family's intentions for the ashes is worth some thought. This guide walks through the main considerations.
Match the urn to the disposition plan
The most important question — what will happen with the ashes?
Home display. Decorative urn in any aesthetic — wood, ceramic, glass, metal. Durability matters less than appearance. Should fit the family's living space and aesthetic preferences.
Columbarium niche. Cemetery columbariums have specific size limits. The cemetery typically provides the specifications. Durable materials preferred (metal, stone, hardwood).
Burial in a cemetery plot. Similar — cemetery may have specific requirements for urn vaults. Durable materials.
Scattering. Biodegradable urn or no urn needed (scatter directly from the temporary container).
Division among family. Main urn plus multiple keepsake urns. Keepsakes can be small enough to wear as jewellery pendants or hold on a desk.
Mixed plans. Some families combine — main urn for primary memorialization, smaller portion for scattering at a meaningful location, individual keepsakes for family members.
Standard sizing
The capacity rule of thumb — one cubic inch of urn capacity per pound of body weight. Most adults require:
- 180-220 cubic inches (standard adult)
- 100-150 cubic inches (smaller adult or significant body weight loss)
- 50-100 cubic inches (children, infants)
- 20-50 cubic inches (keepsake portions)
The crematorium provides the cremated remains in a temporary container marked with the volume. The chosen urn must accommodate that volume.
Material options
Metal (brass, bronze, stainless steel, copper, aluminum). Durable, weighty, often elegantly styled. Suits permanent display or burial. $100-$1,500 typically.
Hardwood (oak, walnut, maple, cherry). Warm aesthetic, classical appearance. Cost varies with craftsmanship. $150-$800 typically.
Ceramic and porcelain. Artistic, often hand-decorated. Range from simple to highly artistic. $80-$1,000+.
Glass. Blown glass urns can be visually striking. More fragile than other materials. $200-$2,000.
Stone (marble, granite). Heavy, very durable, formal aesthetic. $300-$2,000.
Biodegradable (paper, salt, sand). Designed for scattering or natural burial. Dissolves over time. $30-$200.
Cremation jewellery. Small portions of ashes incorporated into pendants, rings, glass beads. $100-$500+ per piece.
Custom and artistic options
For families wanting something distinctive:
- Custom-painted ceramic urns reflecting the deceased's interests
- Cremation art (some artists incorporate ashes into glass sculptures or jewellery)
- Tree planting urns (designed for soil burial with a tree sapling growing from the ashes)
- Artisan-crafted wood or metal urns
These can be substantially more expensive ($500-$5,000+) but provide a meaningful personalized memorial.
Where to purchase
Multiple options:
- Funeral home (convenient but typically marked up significantly)
- Online vendors (much wider selection, typically lower cost)
- Specialty makers (artisanal urns, often beautiful but more expensive)
- Direct from manufacturers (highest variety, lowest cost for standard urns)
Most Canadian funeral homes do not require you to buy the urn through them. You can purchase elsewhere and bring it for the cremated remains transfer.
What we focus on at It's Simple Will
The Funeral Pre-Planner captures urn preferences as part of disposition planning. For families wanting specific urn types (biodegradable for scattering, durable for burial, artistic for display), documenting the preference in advance saves family from guesswork.
Related guides
Citations & sources
- [1]Funeral Service Association of Canada — Funeral Service Association of Canada
Frequently asked questions
How big should the urn be?
Standard rule — one cubic inch of urn capacity per pound of body weight, with most adults requiring 180-220 cubic inches. The crematorium provides the cremated remains in a temporary container; the chosen urn should accommodate them. Children's urns and 'companion' urns (for couples) come in different sizes.
What materials are common?
Wide range — metal (brass, bronze, stainless steel, copper, aluminum), wood (hardwoods like oak, walnut, maple), ceramic (porcelain, stoneware), glass (artistic blown glass), stone (marble, granite), biodegradable (paper, salt, sand, cornstarch). Each has different durability, aesthetic, and cost. Metal and stone urns are most durable; wood and ceramic offer warmer aesthetics; biodegradable suit scattering or natural burial.
What about urns for burial?
Cemetery columbarium niches and burial plots typically have size limits. Check with the cemetery before purchasing. Durable materials (metal, hardwood, stone) are typical for permanent interment. Some cemeteries require specific urn vaults (an outer container that protects the urn).
What about urns for scattering?
Biodegradable urns are designed for scattering — paper urns for water scattering (dissolve in minutes), salt urns for ocean scattering, cornstarch or other biodegradable materials for land scattering. Alternatively, scatter directly from the temporary container provided by the crematorium and dispose of the container appropriately.
Can the urn be split into multiple smaller ones?
Yes — common for families wanting to give different family members keepsake portions of the ashes. Keepsake urns are smaller (1-100 cubic inches) and come in jewellery-sized to small-vase sized options. The main urn may hold most of the ashes; multiple keepsakes hold smaller portions for individual family members.
How much do urns cost in Canada?
Wide range — basic biodegradable urns $25-$100, mid-range ceramic or wood urns $100-$400, premium metal or stone urns $300-$1,000, custom artistic urns $500-$3,000+. The funeral home offers options; many families also purchase urns from online vendors or specialty makers. The funeral home may not require buying through them — confirm if you want to source independently.