How to open an urn
The one question we had been asked about many times over the years is “how do you open the urn?” Most of our pages said (albeit at the bottom) that the urn opens with 4 screws from the bottom, but since many don’t read all the way down they didn’t see that and would call and ask.
To simplify the answer we made a short video on it:
There are a few exceptions to this, of course, and most of the urns that are different the page mentions the way to put the cremains in. Some are smaller holes and others the the top is hinged. Vase style cremation urns tend to have the standard opening on top with a lid that can be sealed in place.
If you have any question about how to open a cremation urn, please leave a comment below.
Comment by Amy
I would like to know how to open a ceramic/ginger jar type of urn. How do you unseal the top? Are the ashes in solid form in it? Thank you.
Posted on March 19, 2009 at 10:03 pm
Comment by admin
Amy,
A ceramic urn would have a sealant used to glue the lid on and can probably be removed with a little acetone, but we don’t deal in ceramic urns enough to know what would be best.
I would suggest visiting a crematorium or local funeral home for advise on removing the lid.
As far as the ashes go, they may be settled and packed but not in solid form. They will be able to be removed if that is what your goal is.
Posted on March 20, 2009 at 10:11 am
Comment by Laura
how do you open the sorta golden looking metal box type box of ashes?
Posted on March 26, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Comment by admin
Laura,
Some of the brass box urns are a type of snap together. One of the ends can be removed by prying with a screw driver or butter knife. Be careful though, if you want to keep the urn. You won’t need to give it to much of a pry, too much will bend the outer part.
Look for the end that has the most gap around all four sides, that should be the one to open. There may be a small hole marking the end as well.
Posted on March 26, 2009 at 7:18 pm