I used to think that cremation was primarily an Eastern tradition that was not practiced as widely in the U.S.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
According to the National Funeral Director’s Association (NFDA), 58% of Americans who died in 2021 will be cremated.
And this trend is on the rise, too, given the increasing cost of traditional funerals (over $10,000, on average, these days). The NFDA expects cremation rates to climb to 70% by 2030 and 78% by 2040.
And therefore, funeral homes are increasingly offering cremation services and accompanying products, like cremation urns.
In this article, we’ll look at the different types of cremation urns you can buy as well as the average urn cost you’ll encounter.
Choose kindness.
You never know what battles people may be fighting.
What Is A Cremation Urn?
Cremation urns are containers for ashes of the deceased.
Urns come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. They can be:
- Made out of materials like wood, metal, or porcelain
- Decorative and highly ornate OR intended to look like a simple, plain container
- Different sizes, but an average urn size is 200 cubic inches
What Is An Urn Vault?
Many people choose to bury their loved one’s ashes to give them a final resting place.
Urn vaults are protective containers that keep your urn safe when it is buried.
Contrary to popular beliefs, the Catholic Church approves of cremation. However, it requires that the deceased’s ashes be buried (not scattered or kept in a family member’s possession).
The urn vault prices range from $100–$400.
Cremation Urns: Types & Average Costs
What does an urn look like? In this section, we’ll go over the various types of urns, from traditional urns (such as wood, metal, and porcelain urns) to modern urns (such as keepsake urns, cremation jewelry, and even pet urns).
And how much do cremation urns cost? This is the second question we’ll answer at the end of each section.
Wood Urns
Wooden urns are made out of natural materials like walnut, cherry, or mahogany. They usually have a gloss finish that makes them look more polished and detailed than others. A wooden urn can be sealed with a protective coating, so the wood doesn’t disappear over time.
The wooden urn price ranges from $50-$200 depending on the type of wood used and the size of the urn.
Metal Urns
Metal urns are usually made out of metal alloy because this is the best material for durable, long-lasting, and safe cremation urns. These are great if you want something that will last a lifetime which is why they cost more than porcelain or glass ones.
The metal urn costs from $100-$1,000.
Porcelain Urns
So, what is the best material for an urn? Experts say porcelain. These are also the most popular cremation urns, highly valued due to durability and polish.
Porcelain (ceramic or glass) urns can feature intricate designs and engraving, which can drive up the costs and put them out of reach of those with budget considerations.
The most expensive urns are porcelain-made, with the price of an urn ranging from $400- to $2,000+, depending on the complexity of the design and engraving.
Keepsake Urns
Keepsake cremation urns are a new trend and often look like jewelry. A keepsake urn allows you to keep your loved one close to you throughout your day. The appeal of this is similar to when, before photography was invented, people used to store locks of hair from their deceased loved ones.
Keepsake urns:
- Are made of materials such as brass, bronze, sterling silver, pewter, or gold
- Come in different forms such as necklaces, pendants, and rings (as shown below)
One of the most popular keepsake urn designs is a locket, which you can flip open and place some ashes inside. The locket then hangs by a chain around your neck, like how people wear religious symbols or family heirlooms to keep their memories close to them.
Keepsake urns prices range from as low as $50 to well above $1,000, depending on the material used and the craftsmanship.
Biodegradable Urns
While most crematoriums offer biodegradable urn options, they can also choose to give you a regular container without specifying what type it is. They might only tell you that it’s an uncoated wood box or something like that.
The cheapest cremation urns are made from biodegradable materials, with average prices ranging from $50 to $150.
Choose kindness.
You never know what battles people may be fighting.
Where To Purchase A Cremation Urn?
Funeral Homes
If you’re pressed for time and wondering where to purchase urns, sometimes funeral homes are the only option—especially if the funeral planning wasn’t done in advance.
And funeral home prices are considerably higher than those you’ll find online.
Online Retailers
If you want to save money and see a large variety of urn types, shopping for a cremation urn online is the clear way to go. Did you know you can even find urns at Costco?
Our favorite retailers are listed below:
- Perfect Memorials
- Urns.com
- Big-box retailers, such as Amazon, Costco, and Walmart
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Does An Urn Cost?
The container’s size, style, and material are all important factors in its overall cost. Most people pay $70 to $2,250 for a full-sized, permanent urn and $50 to $350 for green burial containers.
What Is The Average Cost Of An Urn?
Most adult urns cost from about $75 on the low end to around $350 for most popular premium options. Keepsake urns, which hold a small portion of the remains, go for anywhere between $25 and $60 each. Urns that hold the ashes of two people are called companion urns and typically cost $350 to $600.
How Much Ash Is Left After Cremation?
How much ash is produced when a body is cremated? On average, about 5 pounds for an adult. However, ashes can weigh from 3 to 10 pounds, depending on the size and density of the deceased’s bones. (Organ tissue, fat, and fluids burn away during cremation, so only the weight of the bones matters).
Conclusion
We hope that you enjoyed this look at the various types of urns and their costs.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment or send us an email.
Warm Regards,
The GetSure Team
