Try this elaborately designed urn
THE LAST few decades have seen a dramatic increase in cremation as an alternative to earth burial as many persons have been requesting to be cremated rather than a traditional burial. This has increased the need for options when determining a final resting place for the remains.
Some families choose to scatter the remains in a meaningful way - at the beach, in the backyard or at a garden. However, a majority of persons have chosen to place them in a permanent container or cremation urn. Cremation urns can be placed in a columbarium niche at a cemetery, in a cremation urn garden or they can be taken home with the family. Placing the remains in a permanent cremation urn should be an important consideration for a family to make as opposed to scattering them. Scattering is irreversible.
Urns come in a wide variety of materials and styles. Among the more popular choices of materials for cremation urns are metal, wood, natural stone, ceramic, glass, and composite materials. They are also made for use by adults, infants or youth, or as keepsake urns.
Several funeral directors and crematorium operators provide a variety of urns for selection. At Sam Isaacs and Sons Limited, 44 Hanover Street in Kingston, urns are available in various shapes, material and styles.
COST
The cost of urns also varies. At Sam Isaacs for $4,500, one can get a wooden or ceramic urn that comes in a variety of colours and or decorative patterns. For classier urns, a decorative stainless steel type can cost about $22,000.
CHOOSING URNS
Just like choosing a casket, an urn should be properly selected. Here are a few tips on choosing a cremation urn.
1. Decide what you will be doing with the ashes. This will guide your selection of what is best for storing the ashes. If the urn will be buried then it might be best not to choose one that is expensive.
2. If you will be travelling, keeping or storing your ashes then it is best to select an urn that can be properly sealed or secured. Choose an urn that is not easily opened by children or animals or an urn that cannot be broken easily, preferably those made of wood or metal.
3. The shape and size of a columbarium where the urn will be stored should also be considered. The most popular shape for urns stored at columbiums are those which are rectangular as they fit easily into most columbariums, especially the St. Andrew Parish Church's columbium.
- Some information taken from ttp://wow.everlifememorials.comma/urns.ham
