Cremation Urns | Urns Northwest

Information on Cremation Urns

Memorial Service Ideas: My Special Memory of You Cards

Keepsake memory cards for funeral servicesMemorial services are busy, stressful, and often a blur for the family of the deceased. Often, during a funeral service, attendees will be invited to share memories of the loved one, and these will be humorous, touching, and interesting. But how to remember so many stories and insights?

That is why at Urns Northwest we are proud to offer a ready-to-use package of memory cards, to be filled out by those who share (or don’t have time during the service to share) wonderful memories of their friend.

These packs include 50 cards and 20 pens, in a beautiful ivory pouch to store these hand-written memorials as an heirloom. Each card reads, “My Special Memory of You”, and is lined on the front and back for maximum space.

Memory Cards – “My Special Memory of You”

 

Temporary Urns: Transferring Cremated Remains into a Permanent Urn

Most likely you’ve never had the responsibility before of disposing a loved one’s cremated remains. What to do? There are many options, from a simple burial, scattering, permanent storage in a columbarium niche, and, of course, selecting a fitting and attractive cremation urn for display in your home.

If you are planning on keeping a loved one’s “cremains” (cremated remains) in a funeral urn in your home, here are several options for transferring the remains from the temporary plastic or cardboard urn you received from the crematorium into a beautiful permanent display urn purchased from an online retailer such as Urns Northwest:

1. Transfer the Ashes Yourself

To place the remains in the cremation urn you ordered online, simply open the cardboard or plastic temporary urn and remove the plastic bag containing the cremains. Then place the sealed plastic bag into the permanent urn and reattach the urn’s lid (for most ceramic urns) or bottom opening panel (for most metal or wood urns). You may use wood glue or caulking as a sealant, but this is not required as long as the ashes remain in the plastic bag.

2. Have the Funeral Home Transfer the Ashes

If you are uncomfortable with handling the remains, the funeral home or crematorium will transfer the remains into your cremation urn for you. Funeral homes are required by law to use the container of your choice, even if it is purchased from an outside source. Most funeral homes are very nice about doing this for you.

3. Place the Temporary Urn Inside a Permanent Urn

Additionally, at Urns Northwest we offer several urns which will hold some of the standard sizes of temporary urns, so that you can simply insert the entire cardboard or plastic urn into the permanent urn.

Fits many standard sizes of temporary urns

Madison Budget Urn
$109.00
Can hold a 5″ x 5″ x 6″ temporary urn

Simplicity Budget Urn
$109.00
Can hold a 4-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ temporary urn

Fits many standard sizes of temporary urns

Simplicity Vertical Budget Urn
$109.00
Can hold a 4-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ x 9″ temporary urn

Fits many standard sizes of temporary urns

Marquis Budget Urn
$129.00
Can hold a 4-5/8″ x 6-5/8″ x 8-1/2″ temporary urn

Fits many standard sizes of temporary urns

Keepsake Memory Chest
$289.00
Can hold a 9″L x 7″W x 4-7/8″H temporary urn

Fits many standard sizes of temporary urns

Keepsake Memory Chest w/ Medallion
$289.00
Can hold a 9″L x 7″W x 4-7/8″H temporary urn

Fits many standard sizes of temporary urns

Military Memory Chest
$289.00
Can hold a 9″L x 7″W x 4-7/8″H temporary urn

Fits many standard sizes of temporary urns

Cedar Memory Chest
$239.00
Can hold a 9″L x 7″W x 4-7/8″H temporary urn
**We can also build the Cedar Memory Chest to custom specifications, to fit your temporary urn**


Prices listed here are subject to change. See each product page for price.

Ocean Theme Cremation Urns

Can ye fathom the ocean, dark and deep,
where the mighty waves and the grandeur sweep?
- Fanny Crosby

Below we offer a selection of our ocean-themed funeral urns. These urns are crafted in unique shapes, such as a seashell, or feature sailing ships, sailboats, surfers, dolphins, lighthouses, and more. Each wood urn can be laser-engraved with a personalized inscription, and most varieties are also available as a smaller-sized sharing keepsake urn. Please feel free to contact us with any questions about our ocean-themed cremation urns.

 

Memorial Service Keepsakes | Pewter Pocket Charms

A memorial service is a time to remember, to share stories of fun and laughter and of tough times endured and gracious acts of love, all of which will be treasured in the hearts and minds of those who gather together to honor the life of a loved one.

Our minds store our memories in long- and short-term; and many people find that a particular location or object aids the retention of a memory into our long-term memory. That is why we offer keepsakes for memorial service, such as our Angel Pocket Charm. These sorts of items can be passed out to all who attend a service, not only as a token of appreciation for attending the service, but also as a mnemonic device for remembering the departed loved one.

The charm features an image of an angel with flowing hair and robes, which can be kept in a pocket or special place, and when a friend or family member comes across it they will reflect on how special their loved one was. Each pewter heart-shaped charm comes in a beautiful 3″x 4″ ivory organza pouch with a card, which reads,

“May you find comfort in the arms of an angel”

Pewter Angel Memorial Service Keepsake

These memorial service keepsakes are only $3 apiece, and sold in lots of 25, 30, 50, 75, 100, and more, with discounts for orders of over 100 pieces. Share a treasure with your friends and family in honor of your loved one.

Also available as a Pewter Heart Charm and Pewter Shamrock Charm.

A Simple and Affordable Photo Memorial

We offer a beautiful ceramic Photo Memorial Tile that will be sure to warm the hearts of your entire family.  Made by hand in the USA, and measuring 4″ x 4″ or 6″ x 6″, we will permanently affix a photograph of your loved one along with an inscription of up to four lines through our ceramic firing process, which results in a gorgeous old-fashioned sepia effect, perfect for honoring and remembering your loved one.

Customized Photo Memorial TileAt $39.95 ($49.95 for 6″x6″), this memorial tile is a wonderful and affordable tribute. Plus, if you purchase two or more, the price is only $24.95 each ($34.95 for 6″x6″). This way you can get one for each family member or close friend without exceeding your budget. Orders over $100 receive free ground shipping.

Flying With An Urn

Flying with an urn need not be a major hassle. There are a few basic considerations and one restriction with which you must comply, and with the information provided here you should be able take the necessary steps for quick and easy airline travel.

1. Your urn must be able to pass through x-ray screening. Out of respect for the decedent, under no circumstances, even at your request, will the cremation container be opened. Thus, the container must be x-rayed. The plastic or cardboard temporary urns provided by most funeral homes will pass through screening, as will wood urns and our lovely, lightweight yet durable fabric urns.

2. Checked baggage or carry-on: check with your airline. You may transport an urn with you as a carry-on once it has passed through the screening process. Some airlines will not allow cremation urns as checked baggage, so it is best to check with the air carrier to determine the best method beforehand.

3. Other restrictions: check with your airline. While asking about checked vs. carry-on, be sure to inquire about any other restrictions your air carrier may have concerning the transportation of cremated remains.

That’s it! Here is the link to the standards for Transporting the Deceased straight from the TSA’s website.

Here are some of our most popular urns that are compatible with airline travel:

 

Unique Asian Theme Urns

Here are a few ceramic urns hand-crafted in the USA by a Washington artist featuring Asian themes.

Cremation Urn with Inscription

The Asian Calligraphy Cremation Urn is crafted in a classically round shape with custom characters fired onto the surface of the urn. We can inscribe Chinese, Japanese, Korean, or other characters. View product details for links full of ideas to honor the memory of a loved one even if you do not know the language. Available in 3 different finishes: White Crackle, as shown; Aqua Luster; or Lemon Luster.

Ceramic Funeral UrnsThe Korean Style Burial Jar Cremation Urn is a work of art, with handmade accents consisting of clay figurines and pots. This gorgeous funeral urn is custom made to order with a design after actual museum pieces. A beautiful way to honor a loved one.

Asian Urns for AshesOne of our most breathtaking funeral urns, the Han Tomb Ceramic Cremation Urn is a magnificent design based on Chinese tombs from the Eastern Han Dynasty. Constructed of glazed earthenware clay, with an embellished surface boasting a vibrant array of carved decorative elements, a work this elaborate will always symbolize the high status of the individual buried within.

What is a Sharing Keepsake Urn?

Keepsake Cremation Urns

Keepsake Urns

A keepsake urn is a small urn which holds a tiny amount of cremains, usually between 1-35 cubic inches depending on the design of the keepsake. This is just a small portion of the cremated remains, as the average is just under 200 cubic inches.


Keepsake urns are used for a variety of purposes, usually to keep a small portion of remains as a memento when your loved one’s ashes are buried or kept in a funeral niche. Many of our keepsake urns are smaller versions of a standard sized urn for this very reason, allowing you to have a nearly identical keepsake close to you while the urn is stored in a columbarium or buried in a cemetery.

Keepsake urns are also sometimes known as “sharing keepsakes” because several relatives may wish to each keep a small portion of remains, or because an individual’s remains may be entirely divided up between several loved ones.

Here is a video demonstration of our Hummingbird Keepsake Urn, which is the miniature version of the standard-sized Hummingbird Cremation Urn.


 

Do I Have to Purchase an Urn from a Funeral Home?

Wood Urn in Mahogany with Cross

Mahogany Cross Urn

No. You can purchase an urn from anywhere (online, a competing funeral home, a local artist) and bring it to the funeral home or crematorium. Legally, you may purchase a cremation urn anywhere and the funeral home cannot refuse or charge a fee to handle the urn of your choice.

According to the Federal Trade Commission’s Funeral Rule, “the funeral provider may not refuse, or charge a fee, to handle a casket [or urn] you bought elsewhere.”

More from the FTC’s Funerals: A Consumer Guide:

Most funeral providers are professionals who strive to serve their clients’ needs and best interests. But some aren’t. They may take advantage of their clients through inflated prices, overcharges, double charges or unnecessary services. Fortunately, there’s a federal law that makes it easier for you to choose only those goods and services you want or need and to pay only for those you select, whether you are making arrangements pre-need or at need.

The Funeral Rule, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, requires funeral directors to give you itemized prices in person and, if you ask, over the phone. The Rule also requires funeral directors to give you other information about their goods and services. For example, if you ask about funeral arrangements in person, the funeral home must give you a written price list to keep that shows the goods and services the home offers. If you want to buy a casket or outer burial container, the funeral provider must show you descriptions of the available selections and the prices before actually showing you the caskets.
Many funeral providers offer various “packages” of commonly selected goods and services that make up a funeral. But when you arrange for a funeral, you have the right to buy individual goods and services. That is, you do not have to accept a package that may include items you do not want.

According to the Funeral Rule:

  • You have the right to choose the funeral goods and services you want (with some exceptions).
  • The funeral provider must state this right in writing on the general price list.
  • If state or local law requires you to buy any particular item, the funeral provider must disclose it on the price list, with a reference to the specific law.
  • The funeral provider may not refuse, or charge a fee, to handle a casket you bought elsewhere.
  • A funeral provider that offers cremations must make alternative containers available.

Lighthouse Urn in Ceramic

The newest addition to our collection of ceramic urns is this beautiful, hand-crafted Lighthouse Urn:

Lighthouse Cremation Urn | Ceramic Art Urns

These ceramic urns are a unique design based on an actual lighthouse off the Washington coast near Cape Dissapointment. Each urn is made and fired by hand, resulting in a lighthouse memorial urn that is unique and fitting for your loved one.

19″ tall, with a 6″ base, this funeral urn holds just over 220 cubic inches of remains, and can be customized with an inscription of up to four lines fired onto the front of the urn. As with all of our cremation urns over $100, this qualifies for free ground shipping.

View our entire selection of lighthouse urns.