A Comprehensive Guide to Burial Urns

When you lose a loved one, one of the biggest choices that will need to be made is whether to have a burial or a cremation. Cremation has been increasing in popularity over the years, with many people favouring it due to its lower costs, less environmental impact, and the higher level of flexibility it provides. Once you have decided on cremation, you will then need to consider the type of burial urn that ashes will be placed into. There are several types of burial urns out there depending on what you’re after. Here we take a look at them and what you need to consider.

What is a burial urn?

An urn is essentially a vessel where the ashes of a deceased person are placed. This can then either be displayed or it can be buried. There are many types of burial urns for ashes each with different properties and benefits to them.

What are the types of burial urn? 

There are a host of different types of burial urns for ashes you can choose from. They can differ in price, size and material depending on the type you opt for. Some are more environmentally friendly than others, while some might suit the type of ceremony you are after better than others. It’s important to consider your loved one’s wishes and what would have suited them best. 

Bamboo Burial Urn

A bamboo burial urn is one of the most environmentally friendly options as it is a fast-growing, sustainable and renewable material. It is often favoured due to its reduced environmental impact, which when coupled with its sturdy and lightweight properties makes it an excellent choice for a burial urn. The Eco Burial Urn by The Living Urn is a patent-pending bamboo urn that is made from bamboo with a locking pin made from birch wood. Once in the ground, it biodegrades relatively fast, however, if you decide to keep it in your home it will remain intact.  

A Living Urn To Grow a Tree

Another type of burial urn is also a patented design from The Living Urn and is made from recycled plant materials. It offers over fifty tree options to plant with the urn and can hold either all of a person's ashes or a small portion. When the urn is placed into the ground it softens and biodegrades, releasing the ashes into the ground and allowing the roots of the plant to grow in combination with the urn. You can also opt to purchase the bio urn and planting system separately, then buy your own tree or flower to plant with this. This can be a good option if you want to wait until a certain time of year such as the spring when the weather is better. This is a sustainable and beautiful option that also offers a living thing for you to visit and remember your loved one in a peaceful and relaxing setting. 

A Biodegradable Urn

As well as the above, there are many types of burial urns for ashes to choose from that aren't damaging to the environment. If you are on the lookout for an urn that is biodegradable, look for those that are made from materials like ceramic, cardboard, wood and paper. You also need to check that material is used to finish it - if it has chemicals and other strong glues it can be harmful or take longer to break down. 

A Traditional Burial Urn

Some people might not want their loved ones' urn to biodegrade and prefer the thought of them being preserved once they are buried. For this, there are a host of traditional burial urns to use instead. Traditional urns tend to be made from metal and can come in a host of colours and sizes. Many people also choose to have it engraved with their loved ones name and perhaps a poem or other information. This type of urn can either be buried or kept on display depending on your preference. 

The type of urn you opt for is a very personal decision that only you and your loved ones can make. You need to take into account what the person who has passed would have wanted, as well as things such as the type of cremation ceremony you want to have and where you want them to be cremated. Think about whatever feels right and don’t worry as there isn’t a right or wrong answer, it’s completely down to you to decide. You can take a look at our range of burial urns here.