Pet Urns

After a pet is cremated, an urn gives the ashes a home instead of a temporary box. There are two kinds to choose between. A full-size urn holds all of the ashes and is sized to the pet’s weight. A keepsake urn holds a small share, which you might split among family or keep as a token. Some of the small ones are actually sold as human urns; they hold a pet’s ashes just as well.

Full-size urns vs keepsake urns

Full-size urns are sized to the pet’s weight, roughly one cubic inch of capacity per pound of body weight, so the whole of the ashes fit inside. Keepsake and mini urns hold far less, a few cubic inches, which is enough for a token or to divide among several people. If you want to keep all the ashes in one place, you want a full-size urn. If you want to split or share them, a keepsake urn makes more sense.

How to choose a pet urn

The right urn comes down to how much of the ashes it needs to hold, and where it will sit.

Size and capacity

The most common mistake is buying an urn that’s too small. Allow about one cubic inch of capacity per pound of body weight, and check the urn’s stated volume against the amount of ash you actually received. When in doubt, choose the next size up. Cremation services usually have a figure for the ash, and it’s worth asking for it if they don’t offer one.

Material

Wood is warm and natural and suits a living space. Brass is durable and easy to keep dust-free, and it develops a soft patina over time. The smaller keepsakes are stainless steel, metal with a marble-look finish, or wood, all small and easy to tuck on a shelf or in a drawer. Weight matters more than people expect, too: a heavy urn feels permanent, but it’s harder to move and easier to knock over on a narrow shelf.

Sealing

Not every urn seals tightly by default. If the ashes will stay inside for years, look for a threaded or snug-fitting lid, or seal it yourself once the ashes are in. If you may scatter or divide them later, a removable lid is easier to work with. A sealed urn is a commitment; a lidded one keeps your options open.

Where to keep an urn

Most urns stay at home: a shelf, a mantel, a bedside table. Put it somewhere stable and out of direct sun, and away from the edge where a careless elbow could reach it. Some people want the urn in the open, part of the room; others keep it in a quiet, private spot. Both are common, and neither says anything about how much you cared.

Dividing ashes between keepsakes

If more than one person wants to keep some of the ashes, you have two paths. You can split them into a few keepsake urns, which lets everyone hold their own. Or you can keep the main urn whole and add one small keepsake for each person, filled from the same source. Decide before you buy how many pieces you need, so the sizes and counts line up.

Price

Urns range from modest to expensive depending on material and size. A simple wooden urn is often the most affordable warm option, while brass and larger pieces cost more. Choose on size and material first, and let price follow. A keepsake urn is usually the cheapest way to start, and you can add a full-size urn later if you want one.

If you’d rather keep a small amount of ash close to you, see our guide to pet memorial pendants.