Your guide to cremation urns

​Choosing an urn for your loved one’s ashes is a big decision. Whether you decide to display it in your home or inter it somewhere special, there are a few things to consider.

Our team of caring women have been helping families make decisions like these for decades. They’ve shared their advice for choosing the right cremation urn for your loved one.

The first step in choosing an urn

The first question to ask yourself is, ‘What will you do with the urn’? This will help you decide on other factors, like size, style and material.

Keeping the urn at home

Some families keep their loved one's ashes at home on a mantlepiece or a table. It’s an enduring reminder that their loved one is never far away. In this case, you might focus more on the urn's design – how it reflects your loved one’s spirit and compliments your home.

Burying the urn

Others bury or inter their loved one’s ashes inside the urn in a special place, like a memorial park. This means you may require a sturdier urn that won’t be impacted by erosion.

Sharing urns

You might want to share the ashes among your family, so everyone can keep their loved one close. This could mean you only need a small urn or you might buy a collection so each family member can have the same one.

Other things to consider when choosing an urn

Material and design

​​​The design of your urn is a very personal decision. Cremation urns come in various materials, such as wood, natural stone, steel, glass and ceramic. Then, there’s colour and pattern to consider. You might incorporate your loved one’s favourite colour or a symbol or pattern they liked. If you’re unsure, ask your family what feels right or speak to us – we can help you make the right choice.

Size

​​​Size is another important factor. Your Funeral Specialist will let you know what size you might need, depending on the height and weight of your loved one. If you’re sharing the ashes with other family members, you might opt for a smaller urn.

​Cost

​​​The cost of your urn will vary depending on the factors above. Cremation urns can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. But with so many options to choose from, we can help you find the right one to suit your budget.

Where and how to buy an urn

It’s important to buy an urn from a trusted retailer to ensure the quality and integrity of the piece. We can show you our range and place an order for you when you meet with us. However, the simplest option is to log in to our Customer Service Portal and browse the range in your own time. When you find one that fits your preferences and budget, it will be delivered to your Mareena Purslowe Funerals location for collection. The crematorium can decant your loved one’s ashes into your urn (a fee may apply).

Here, you’ll also find a range of meaningful keepsakes to remember your loved one, including a selection of beautiful keepsake jewellery. This allows you to keep a small amount of ashes in a pendant or locket to keep your loved one close.

If you’re having trouble deciding, we understand and we’re here to help. Reach out to your Funeral Specialist or anyone from our team and we’ll help you choose an urn that does justice to the memory of your loved one.

​Ready to choose a cremation urn?

Speak with a funeral specialist
View our range of urns