In the journey of saying goodbye to a loved one, the vessel that holds their legacy — the urn — often becomes a quiet symbol of memory, reverence and hope. At Dei Gratia Urns, we understand the profound importance of selecting the right urn: one that honours the life, celebrates the memories and supports the healing — for you, your family and future generations.

In the United States, more families are choosing cremation. According to the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), the cremation rate in 2024 reached approximately 61.8 %. That upward trend means urns have become more than just containers: they’re expressions of tribute, legacy and love.

Below, we dive into seven essential insights about urns, cremation and ashes — covering purpose, materials, design, availability, buying tips and the deeper human meaning behind each choice. This is more than a product guide. It is a human story — of choice, memory and honour.

1. Purpose defines the urn: standard, companion, keepsake, scattering, biodegradable, pet

When families approach us at Dei Gratia Urns, the first question we ask is: “What will this urn be used for?” Because the answer steers everything.

• Standard adult urns: These are designed to hold the ashes of a single adult. Typically they accommodate at least ~200 cubic inches of cremated remains.
• Companion urns: A thoughtful option for two individuals (often couples), featuring two compartments within a single container. It can be a symbolic “togetherness after life” piece.
• Keepsake urns: Smaller in size, intended to hold a portion of the ashes rather than the full amount. A parent might keep one, a sibling another — enabling multiple family members to hold the memory close.
• Scattering urns: Specifically designed for ceremonies where ashes will be scattered (in water, land or another meaningful environment). They are engineered for ease of use during a moment of farewell.
• Biodegradable urns: For those who prioritise environmental responsibility, these urns are made from natural materials (wood, paper, plant-based compounds) that will break down harmlessly in soil or water.
• Pet urns: Because our furry companions deserve honour too, pet-specific urns range from simple to luxurious, personalised to match the unique life of a pet.

When you choose an urn from Dei Gratia Urns, you’re not just selecting a container. You are choosing a vessel of meaning — matched to purpose, person and place.

2. Materials matter: metal, wood, ceramic, stone, glass

Not all urns are created equal. The material you choose impacts not just appearance but durability, setting (indoor vs outdoor), and the emotional resonance.

• Metal: Highly durable and corrosion-resistant, metal urns (bronze, brass, stainless steel) are a popular choice for both indoor display and outdoor placement.
• Wood: Urns crafted from hardwoods such as walnut, oak or cherry bring a warm, classic aesthetic. They are excellent for indoor use and can be custom-engraved with names, dates or a favourite quote.
• Ceramic: Elegant and artisanal, ceramic urns offer a wide array of unique artistic styles and glazes. When sealed properly, they are moisture-resistant.
• Cultured marble and stone: Combining stone, resin and colour pigments, cultured marble urns are strong and made in the USA. Natural stone (granite, marble) is extremely long-lasting — ideal for memorial placement.
• Glass: Artistic glass urns, often handcrafted by artisans, bring vibrant colours, bespoke designs and a strong visual statement. However, they are fragile and best suited for secure indoor display.

At Dei Gratia Urns, we carefully curate each piece, paying attention to craftsmanship, finish and legacy. Because when you hold ashes, you hold memories — and the vessel should honour that.

3. Trends reflect a shifting culture of death-care

The way Americans approach death, memorialisation and ashes is changing — and urns are deeply embedded in this shift.

• In 2020, more than half (56 %) of Americans who died were cremated — more than double the rate of two decades earlier.
• By 2045, the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) projects the cremation rate could reach 82 %.
• A survey found that one in five people admitted to retaining ashes in the home of a loved one.

What does this mean for families choosing with heart (and maybe with some uncertainty)? It means urns are no longer niche. They’re central. Whether kept on a home shelf, displayed in a memorial space, or prepared for a scattering ceremony — the urn is now a meaningful, chosen piece of the grief-journey.

At Dei Gratia Urns, we honour that evolution. We understand you’re not just buying “an urn”. You’re selecting how your story continues — how ashes become memory, how memorials become comfort.

4. Online and offline: Where to buy urns

The modern urn-market is wide. From the traditional funeral home showroom to online retailers specialising in memorial items, you have many choices. But choosing right matters.

• Funeral homes and crematories: Many funeral service providers offer a selection of urns, often right in the facility where services are held. Familiar, local, trusted.
• Online retailers: Platforms such as Etsy, Amazon and memorial-specialty outlets (e.g., Urns.com, LoveUrns) offer extensive collections across styles, materials, price-points.
• Specialty shops: Companies like Terrybear and UPD Urns, dedicated entirely to memorial products, work with funeral professionals and families to deliver quality, customisation and meaning.

At Dei Gratia Urns, we believe you deserve the best of both worlds: the personal touch of expert guidance, and the convenience and choice of the online world. We walk you through materials, sizing, purpose — and help you pick the vessel for your loved one’s legacy.

5. Matching urn size and purpose: practical yet respectful

One of the most common questions families ask is: “How big should the urn be?” Because carrying meaning doesn’t mean ignoring measurement.

• A standard adult urn is sized for one adult’s ashes (typically ~200 cubic inches).
• If you’re selecting a companion urn, count for two full adults (or plan carefully if one person’s remains will be split).
• For keepsake urns, remember they hold only a portion of ashes, not the full amount — they’re symbolic, not the primary container.
• For scattering or biodegradable urns, size may be adapted to the ceremony (e.g., water scattering, eco-burial) and the remains may not be stored long-term.

Choosing correctly means avoiding the emotional discomfort of “it doesn’t fit” or “we have too many remains for this vessel”. At Dei Gratia Urns, we consult closely on sizing, together with you, to ensure your decision honours both the memory and the remains.

6. Customisation and personalisation: creating a memory piece

An urn is not just a container; it is an expression. A tribute. A curated memory.

• Engraving names, dates, meaningful quotes.
• Personalised finishes or colours that reflect the personality of the departed.
• Materials that align with their spirit (wood for warmth, stone for endurance, glass for artistic expression).
• Companion urns that symbolise two lives in one vessel.
• Keepsake sets so each family member has a tangible piece of memory.

At Dei Gratia Urns, we take the time to listen: What did your loved one love? What symbol defines them? Do you picture this urn in your home, in a memorial garden, or with ashes scattered in meaningful places? Then we translate that into a design that’s personal, respectful and beautiful.

7. Choosing peace: beyond product to meaning

When a family selects an urn through Dei Gratia Urns, they are not simply choosing an item. They are choosing comfort, memory, legacy and a place of peace.

The fact that the U.S. cremation rate is on the rise — projected to reach over 80 % by 2045 — means the way we memorialise is changing. And with more people keeping ashes at home (1 in 5 according to a survey) — the vessel matters deeply.

An urn should carry meaning:

• A sense of presence in the living space.
• A tribute you and your family can gather around.
• A design that honours the past and supports the future.
• A vessel you will be proud to display, scatter from, bury — whichever journey you choose.

At Dei Gratia Urns, our promise is simple: we walk with you, listen to your story, guide you through purpose, material, design and meaning — and deliver an urn that becomes part of your family’s legacy.

In closing: Whether you select a standard adult urn, a companion piece, a keepsake set, or a biodegradable scattering vessel — your choice matters. The materials tell a story. The design echoes a life. And the very act of choosing becomes part of how you honour, remember and live on.

If you’re exploring urns, cremation and ashes for your loved one, know this: You’re not alone. At Dei Gratia Urns, with decades of experience and deep respect for memory, we’re here to help you find the vessel that reflects love, honour and peace.

Urns, Cremation & Ashes: Your Expert Guide by Dei Gratia Urns