Most families aren’t trying to become experts in cremation urn terminology. You’re trying to make a few loving, practical decisions—often while grief is still fresh. A funeral director may mention a “temporary urn,” a cemetery might require an “urn vault,” and a relative may ask for a “keepsake.” These words aren’t meant to complicate things; they’re clues about where the ashes will go and how your family wants to remember.
This guide translates the most common terms you’ll see when browsing cremation urns—including cremation urns for ashes, small cremation urns, keepsake urns, pet urns and pet urns for ashes, plus wearable keepsakes like cremation jewelry and cremation necklaces. Along the way, we’ll connect the vocabulary to funeral planning, keeping ashes at home, water burial, and the cost question families often ask first: how much does cremation cost.
Why these terms matter in modern memorial planning
Cremation is now a common choice in North America, which means more families are deciding how ashes will be kept, shared, buried, or scattered. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate was projected to reach 61.9% in 2024. The Cremation Association of North America also publishes annual industry statistics and projections. With more cremation choices comes more vocabulary—because “an urn” can mean a permanent memorial, a temporary travel container, a shareable keepsake, or something designed to dissolve in water.
If you want a broad starting point while you learn the vocabulary, Funeral.com’s cremation urns for ashes collection gives you a clear view of styles and materials, while Cremation Urns 101 explains common types in simple terms.
From the crematory to your home
Temporary urn
A “temporary urn” is the basic container cremated remains are placed into after cremation. It’s usually plastic or cardboard and designed for secure transport, not long-term display. Many families keep it for a while—waiting for an engraving, traveling to a memorial, or taking time to decide what feels right. “Temporary” is not a judgment about love; it’s a description of purpose.
If you’re flying with ashes, screening rules matter. The TSA explains that cremated remains must be screened and that officers will not open the container; if it can’t be cleared, it may not be permitted. See the TSA’s PDF on Traveling With Crematory Remains, and Funeral.com’s Flying With Ashes Checklist for a calm, step-by-step way to prepare.
Alternative cremation container
This phrase appears on price lists. An “alternative cremation container” is the container used during the cremation process when a casket isn’t required. It’s typically reinforced cardboard or simple wood, and you don’t keep it afterward. It’s one reason direct cremation can be simpler and more affordable.
Size language: full-size, small, keepsake, and companion urns
Full-size urn
A full-size urn is intended to hold most or all of an adult’s ashes (often around 200 cubic inches, depending on the person and the cremation process). If your plan is one primary memorial, start with Funeral.com’s cremation urns for ashes collection and filter by capacity or material.
Small cremation urn
Small cremation urns hold a portion rather than the full remains. Families use them to share ashes, keep a smaller memorial at home, or hold a portion while planning a later ceremony. If that’s your situation, browsing small cremation urns can feel less overwhelming than starting with full-size options.
Keepsake urn
Keepsake urns are made for a symbolic amount—often a few cubic inches—so multiple people can have a personal memorial. Some families choose keepsakes because everyone wants something close; others choose them because the main ashes will be buried or scattered later. For filling, capacity, and “how families split ashes” in plain English, read Keepsake Urns Explained, and browse keepsake urns when you’re ready.
Companion urn
A “companion urn” (or double urn) honors two people together—either one vessel with two chambers, or a coordinated set displayed side by side. If you’re exploring this option, Companion Cremation Urns for Ashes shows both formats so you can see what the term means in practice.
Pet urn terminology
The phrases pet urns, pet urns for ashes, and pet cremation urns all refer to urns designed for animal remains. Pet memorials often involve the same decisions—home display, sharing, or a future ceremony—just scaled to a different size range. Start with Funeral.com’s pet urns for ashes collection and the companion guide Pet Urns for Ashes: A Complete Guide.
Two phrases you’ll see often are “pet figurine urn” and “pet keepsake urn.” A pet figurine cremation urn is both an urn and a sculpture, chosen when you want the memorial to feel like a presence in the room. A pet keepsake cremation urn holds a small, shareable amount for households where more than one person wants something close.
Materials, closures, and cremation jewelry
Materials are partly about style, but also about how the memorial will live in your home. Metal is durable. Wood feels warm and often suits home display. Ceramic and glass can be beautiful but are more fragile if the urn will be moved. Some stone and resin designs balance display beauty with everyday sturdiness. And biodegradable urns are designed for earth or water placement rather than long-term display. For a calm overview that connects materials to real-life plans, see Cremation Urns 101.
Closures are the quiet detail that affects peace of mind. Threaded lids, bottom plates with screws, and gaskets tend to be more secure than a simple lift-off lid—especially if you’ll transfer ashes, share them, or travel. If you’re choosing based on a specific scenario (home, burial, travel, scattering), How to Choose a Cremation Urn That Fits Your Plans starts with what your family is actually going to do, not what you’re “supposed” to buy.
With cremation jewelry, the key terms are “chamber” and “seal.” Most pieces hold a tiny amount, and many families prefer a closure that can be tightened securely and sealed. You can browse cremation jewelry and cremation necklaces, then read Cremation Jewelry 101 for filling tips and what to expect, or the deeper Cremation Necklace Guide for seals, materials, and daily-wear considerations.
Where the urn goes: home, cemetery, or water
Some of the most confusing terms show up when the urn is moving into a final place. “Inurnment” is cemetery language for placing an urn into its final resting place—often a cemetery plot, an urn garden, or a columbarium niche. A “columbarium” is the structure; a “niche” is the compartment. Because niche sizes vary, cemeteries often have maximum dimensions and material rules, which is worth confirming before you buy cremation urn options intended for a niche.
An “urn vault” is a protective outer container (often concrete or polymer) sometimes required when an urn is buried in the ground. Not every cemetery requires one, but if yours does, you’ll want to know before choosing an urn with unusual dimensions. If your plan is a home memorial instead, keeping ashes at home is a practical, common choice; Funeral.com’s guide Keeping Ashes at Home explains safe placement, family conversations, and long-term planning.
Sometimes the question underneath all of this is simply what to do with ashes. A family might keep a primary urn at home, share small portions with siblings, and still plan a future ceremony. If scattering or a green placement is part of that plan, “biodegradable” becomes an important term: it means the urn is designed to break down in soil or water rather than stay intact for decades. Funeral.com’s Biodegradable & Eco-Friendly Urns for Ashes collection is a gentle place to start browsing, and Biodegradable Ocean & Water Burial Urns explains how different designs work for sea ceremonies and scattering.
If your family is considering water burial or burial at sea, the rules are specific. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency explains that burial at sea of cremated human remains must take place at least three nautical miles from shore and that the general permit does not apply to pets. For a plain-language explanation of “three nautical miles,” read Water Burial and Burial at Sea: What “3 Nautical Miles” Means.
Funeral planning and costs
Cost questions are part of funeral planning, and they’re often why families compare cremation with burial. According to NFDA statistics, the national median cost of a funeral with viewing and burial in 2023 was $8,300, while the median cost of a funeral with viewing and cremation was $6,280. Real prices vary, but benchmarks can make conversations with providers feel less intimidating.
If you’re trying to compare quotes or understand what’s included, Funeral.com’s how much does cremation cost guide breaks down common fees and shows how urns, keepsakes, and jewelry fit into the overall plan.
The gentle takeaway
Once the jargon is translated, the choices usually become gentler. “Temporary urn” means “safe for now.” “Keepsake” means “shareable closeness.” “Companion” means “together.” “Inurnment” means “placed with care.” When you understand what the words point to, you can choose a memorial that fits your family’s life today—and leave room for change later, which is often what grief requires.
