After cremation, many families find themselves holding a temporary container and realizing they’re not sure what comes next. The question can feel oddly heavy: what to do with ashes, and what to keep them in—today, and later, when the shock softens.
There isn’t one “right” answer. Some people want classic cremation urns that become a steady presence at home. Others want several small containers so siblings can share. Many families want something specific for a beloved animal. And sometimes the most honest plan is simply: keep the remains safe while we decide. That’s why families search for options like cremation urns for ashes, small cremation urns, keepsake urns, pet urns, pet urns for ashes, cremation jewelry, and ways of keeping ashes at home that feel respectful and secure.
Cremation is increasingly common. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate is projected at 63.4% in 2025. The Cremation Association of North America reports a U.S. cremation rate of 61.8% in 2024. Families are also choosing many different ways to memorialize: NFDA notes that among people who prefer cremation, many envision either keeping the urn at home or scattering in a meaningful place, alongside cemetery burial/interment and other choices. NFDA
Start with the plan, not the product
When people search for urn alternatives, they’re usually trying to match meaning to logistics. Where do you expect the remains to end up: keeping ashes at home, burying an urn, placing it in a niche, scattering, traveling, or dividing the ashes among family?
If you’re exploring classic options, Funeral.com’s cremation urns for ashes collection is a calm starting point. If you expect to share, compare small cremation urns with keepsake urns, which are made for holding a portion rather than the full amount. Many families choose a main urn for the household, then add smaller pieces for siblings, children, or a close friend who wants a personal way to remember.
For pets, you’ll often feel clearer faster when you look in pet-specific collections: pet urns, pet urns for ashes in keepsake sizes, and pet cremation urns in figurine styles that feel like a gentle tribute rather than a container.
Capacity basics: what “small” actually means
Most sizing guidance uses a simple estimate: one pound of body weight before cremation generally equals about one cubic inch of cremated remains. It’s not exact, but it helps you avoid buying something too small. If you want a straightforward walkthrough of sizing, materials, and practical considerations (like burial, niche placement, or home display), see Funeral.com’s guide on choosing the right cremation urn.
In plain language: full-size urns are meant to hold the complete remains of an adult, while keepsake urns, small cremation urns, and most cremation jewelry hold a portion. Families often choose a “main urn plus sharing pieces” approach, because it respects different grief styles inside the same family.
Sealing and safety: the practical side of love
Whether you choose a traditional urn or something more creative, prioritize the closure. Threaded lids and screw-top compartments tend to be the most secure. If you’re choosing cremation necklaces or other keepsakes, look for pieces designed to be filled and sealed intentionally—not decorative items that only “sort of” hold a capsule.
If you’re unsure about home safety—children, pets, placement, and whether it’s okay to keep remains at home—Funeral.com’s guide on keeping ashes at home answers the most common questions in a practical, non-alarming way. Many families feel better once they choose a stable, low-traffic spot and a container that closes confidently.
57 things you can put ashes in
Some of these options are true urns built for cremated remains. Others are cremation keepsakes that hold a tiny portion in a sealed inner compartment. Use this list as a menu of possibilities, not a to-do list.
Keepsake urn ideas and small containers
- Mini keepsake urns designed for sharing
- Heart-shaped keepsake urn
- Teardrop keepsake urn
- Small token urn (a few teaspoons)
- Photo frame urn with a hidden compartment
- Memory box urn (keepsakes plus a sealed remains space)
- Book-style urn that rests on a shelf
- Candle urn with a protected compartment
- Small cube urn that blends into décor
- Glass keepsake orb or globe urn
- Petite ceramic keepsake urn with a threaded lid
- Sharing vial set (multiple matching mini vials)
Jewelry and wearable memorials
- cremation jewelry pendant necklace
- cremation necklaces in bar or cylinder styles
- Locket-style ashes necklace with a tiny compartment
- Teardrop pendant designed for ashes
- Cross or faith-symbol pendant with an inner chamber
- Bracelet charm that holds a small amount
- Memorial ring with a sealed inner space
- Keychain keepsake capsule (wearable, but practical)
- Rosary or bead keepsake with an integrated compartment
- Pet memorial jewelry (for animal ashes)
Home display pieces
- Decorative vase-style urn (designed for ashes)
- Sculptural urn that reads as art
- Nature-themed urn that fits a mantle
- Box urn that resembles a keepsake chest
- Shadow box display with a secure inner container
- Picture frame with a sealed compartment behind the photo
- Memorial clock urn (compartment inside the clock body)
- Memorial lamp urn (compartment inside the base)
- Holiday ornament keepsake (for a tiny portion)
- Display cube with an inner capsule
Artful and custom urn options
- Handmade resin keepsake (with a sealed inner capsule)
- Glass art paperweight designed to hold a small portion
- Blown-glass memorial piece made with a portion of ashes
- Memorial “stones” created from cremated remains
- Custom ceramic vessel commissioned from an artist
- Wooden keepsake box with a built-in urn compartment
- Handcrafted urn with inlaid artwork or mosaic detail
- Engraved urn with names, dates, or a message
Scattering, earth, and water burial containers
- Scattering tube made for a clean, wind-aware release
- Scattering envelope (paper-based and simple)
- Biodegradable urn for earth burial
- Plantable tree urn designed to return to the soil
- Water-soluble urn designed to float briefly and dissolve
- Biodegradable ocean urn intended for water burial
- Sea-scattering container made for a boat ceremony
Temporary urn container choices
- The temporary urn from the crematory (common and acceptable)
- A temporary urn container with a screw-top lid
- Travel urn designed for flights and screening
- Small metal canister with a gasket-style seal
- Archival-grade plastic container with a tight lid
- Sealed polymer tube designed for keepsake portions
- Stainless steel storage container with a threaded lid
- Protective outer box with an inner sealed bag
- Locking keepsake capsule stored inside a memory box
- Simple paperboard container used short-term before an urn arrives
Connecting the memorial back to real-life decisions
If you’re leaning toward jewelry, it helps to understand how it’s filled and how closures work. Funeral.com’s Cremation Jewelry Guide pairs well with the collections for cremation jewelry and cremation necklaces, so you can compare materials, styles, and everyday wear with fewer surprises.
If you want personalization, engraving is often the simplest way to make a memorial feel specific. Funeral.com’s engravable cremation urns and engravable pet urns collections are a practical bridge between standard and custom. When you are ready to buy keepsake urn pieces for sharing, having sizing and sealing clarity first can prevent regrets.
If you’re honoring a pet, you may appreciate a guide that treats the choice as meaningful, not minor. Pet Urns for Ashes: A Complete Guide for Dog and Cat Owners can help you choose a size by weight and compare styles, including shareable options like pet keepsake cremation urns.
If you’re planning a water ceremony, the rules can protect the moment from turning chaotic. In the U.S., the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explains burial-at-sea guidance, including the three-nautical-mile rule, and notes that the general permit does not cover non-human remains (pets). For planning details and container choices, Funeral.com’s water burial guide, the article on biodegradable ocean and water burial urns, and the biodegradable & eco-friendly urns for ashes collection can help you plan respectfully.
Where cost fits in: “how much does cremation cost” and what comes after
Cost questions are often urgent and practical. NFDA reports the national median cost of a funeral with viewing and cremation in 2023 was $6,280, not including cemetery costs. (NFDA) Your local price will vary, and the urn is only one part of the total.
If you need a calmer breakdown of what’s typically included—and how urns, keepsakes, and services affect the total—see Funeral.com’s guide on how much does cremation cost. Many families choose a modest, secure container now and a more permanent memorial later, once decisions feel steadier.
Funeral planning that doesn’t rush grief
If you can, write down your “ashes plan,” even if it’s temporary: keep them at home for now, split into keepsakes, plan a scattering, or hold a water burial in spring. That clarity prevents misunderstandings later and makes funeral planning feel less overwhelming.
For planning ahead, Funeral.com’s guide on funeral planning and preplanning can help you document decisions in plain language. And if a death has just occurred, What to Do When Someone Dies can guide the first 48 hours so you can focus on people, not paperwork.
However you choose to hold or share the ashes—an urn, a keepsake, a piece of jewelry, or an alternative container—the “right” choice is the one that feels safe, respectful, and true to the person you’re honoring.
