If you’re looking up urn prices, you’re probably carrying more than a shopping decision. You might be arranging a cremation after a death, or planning ahead so your family won’t have to guess later. Either way, “how much do urns cost” usually means two things: what’s a realistic urn price range, and how do you avoid paying extra simply because you’re grieving.
The steady answer is that cremation urn prices change with material, size, craftsmanship, and personalization. They also change because families use urns in different ways: one main container, keepsake urns for sharing, small cremation urns for a portion at home, and cremation jewelry when someone wants a memorial that stays close.
Why urn shopping is more common than it used to be
Cremation is now the majority choice for many families. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the projected U.S. cremation rate for 2025 is 63.4%, and it’s projected to reach 82.3% by 2045. The Cremation Association of North America reports the U.S. cremation rate was 61.8% in 2024. As cremation rises, more people are deciding what to do with ashes afterward—whether that means keeping ashes at home, placing them in a cemetery, or planning scattering.
NFDA also reports that among people who prefer cremation, 37.1% would want their cremated remains kept in an urn at home, and 33.5% would prefer scattering in a sentimental place. Those preferences explain why urn questions show up right inside funeral planning, not after it’s “over.”
Typical price ranges families see
Most families do best with guardrails rather than a single “correct” number. In today’s online marketplaces, many families see basic urns around $30–$150, mid-range options around $150–$400, and premium or artisan urns from $400 and up, depending on material and customization. Treat those as ballpark shopping ranges, not rules.
If you want to compare real options with clear capacities, and see how different cremation urns are described in the marketplace, the broad collection of cremation urns for ashes is a practical baseline. If your plan involves sharing, start with small cremation urns and keepsake urns, because those categories are built for “a portion,” not “all.”
What changes the cost of urns
The biggest driver of the cost of urns is material and build quality. Heavier brass or stainless-steel urns tend to cost more than thin metal because they’re sturdier and often have tighter-fitting lids. Solid hardwood urns generally cost more than composite or veneer-style boxes. Ceramic and glass can be beautiful, but durability varies—especially if the urn will be shipped, moved, or stored long-term.
Personalization affects both cost and timing. People searching “urn engraving cost” are usually trying to avoid last-minute surprises. Engraving prices commonly depend on the material, the number of lines, and whether you add art. If engraving matters to you, it helps to start with engravable cremation urns for ashes and review Funeral.com’s engraving details before you commit.
Where to buy urns for ashes
Buying from a funeral home
Buying from a funeral home can be simplest logistically, and some families appreciate having staff coordinate delivery and placement. It’s still okay to ask for itemized pricing, especially if you’re comparing funeral home urn prices to online options. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, a provider can’t require you to buy an urn from them, and they can’t charge a “handling fee” just because you purchased it elsewhere.
Ask early whether you’ll receive a temporary container, or whether you need to provide an urn. Many families take comfort in choosing the permanent urn after the most urgent decisions are done.
Buying online
Online shopping is often the easiest way to compare capacity, closures, and shipping timelines without pressure. If your search includes “where to buy urns for ashes” or “affordable urns online,” focus on listings that clearly state capacity in cubic inches and explain the closure type. For a cost-focused walkthrough, Funeral.com’s guide How Much Do Cremation Urns Cost? connects pricing to real decisions like display vs. burial, engraving, and shipping.
Costco, Walmart, and Titan Casket options
Big-box options can be attractive because they’re familiar and sometimes competitively priced. For Costco urns, start with Costco Next’s Titan Casket page, which highlights member options for caskets and urns. For Walmart cremation urns, browse Walmart’s cremation urn category. If you’re comparing Titan casket urn cost to other sellers, Titan’s urn collection can help you benchmark styles and materials.
These routes can work well, but double-check details before you buy: capacity in cubic inches, whether it’s full-size or keepsake, and how it seals. If those specifics aren’t clear, it’s hard to judge whether the price is truly a savings.
How to size an urn correctly
Capacity matters more than height or “large/small” labels. A common rule of thumb is roughly one cubic inch per pound of body weight, and many families choose a little extra capacity for peace of mind. If you’re sharing ashes, remember that a keepsake is designed for “some,” not “all.”
For a simple calculator and chart, Funeral.com’s guide What Size Cremation Urn Do I Need? walks through adults, children, and pets, and the cremation urn size chart page is handy for quick comparisons.
Keepsakes and cremation jewelry when sharing is part of the plan
One urn isn’t the only loving answer. Keepsake urns hold a small portion so multiple relatives can have a personal memorial, and small cremation urns hold a larger portion when you’re dividing ashes between households. Seeing keepsake urns and small cremation urns side by side can make the “how much do we need?” question feel less intimidating.
For a wearable memorial, cremation necklaces and other cremation jewelry hold a tiny amount of ashes. You can browse cremation jewelry or narrow to cremation necklaces, then use Funeral.com’s practical guide to cremation jewelry buying for tips on materials, sealing, and filling.
Pet urns: a different kind of choosing
People shopping for pet urns often want something that fits the home and the relationship, not a generic memorial. Pet urns for ashes vary by size, material, and personalization, and some families prefer styles that resemble a beloved companion. Funeral.com’s pet cremation urns collection is a broad starting point, and pet figurine cremation urns can feel especially personal when a family wants the urn to look like the friend they lost.
If you want a sizing-and-options walkthrough, Funeral.com’s pet urns for ashes guide can help you choose capacity and style without guessing.
Keeping ashes at home, burial, or water burial
Your plan changes what “right” looks like. If you’re keeping ashes at home, focus on stability, a closure you trust, and a design that feels peaceful in your space. Funeral.com’s guide to keeping ashes at home covers practical questions families rarely think to ask until later.
If the urn will be buried or placed in a niche, check cemetery or columbarium rules before you purchase. Niche dimensions can be strict, and some cemeteries require an urn vault for in-ground burial. Funeral.com’s article on choosing a cremation urn explains how to match materials and size to those requirements.
If your plan involves water burial or scattering at sea, choose a biodegradable option designed for that setting. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, burial at sea of human remains is covered by a general permit and requires following specific distance and reporting rules. Funeral.com’s biodegradable and eco-friendly urns for ashes collection includes water-soluble urns, and the Journal explains how they work in Biodegradable Urns.
How an urn fits into overall cremation cost
Urn costs sit beside bigger budget questions. If you’re also searching how much does cremation cost, remember the urn is one part of the total. NFDA’s 2023 General Price List Study reports a median cost of $6,280 for a funeral with cremation (including services plus an alternative cremation container and urn), before cemetery charges.
For a current, plain-language breakdown of direct cremation vs. cremation with services and common add-ons, Funeral.com’s 2025 guide to how much does cremation cost can help you compare quotes with less overwhelm.
A calm “before you buy” pause
Before you check out, confirm capacity, closure type, and delivery timing—then match the urn to the plan you’re actually living: one home memorial, a shared set of keepsakes, a pet tribute, or a biodegradable option for a sea farewell. When you choose with those anchors, the price becomes a number you understand, not a number you fear.
