When loved ones die, families often choose cremation these days, which has led to an increased need for different types of urns.
Not everyone wants to keep grandma’s ashes on the mantel or have a scattering ceremony, which has led to an increased need for suitable cremation urns for burial. Knowing where you plan to bury your loved one’s ashes can dictate your choice of urn, so it’s important to understand your choices.
Let’s take a look at the special kinds of urns and other options available.
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Biodegradable Cremation Urns for Burial
Following current trends for greener options, biodegradable urns are among the more popular choices for burial urns. These urns are built to break down over time and then integrate into the surroundings. You can find them as boxes, tubes, traditional urns, and even animal shapes.
These are not usually allowed at cemeteries, but you might call around as some locations have begun offering green burial options. Otherwise, you should plan to bury these urns on your land or other private property.
If you plan to bury the urn in the ground, you can find urns made of paper, bark, sand, or wood designed to be eco-friendly. One popular option is the container style that allows you to add seeds for a plant or tree that will grow in the burial location. This can be the best urn for ashes you bury on family land where everyone can visit.
Burial at sea or in another body of water is also an option with these urns. You can find special ones made for this purpose that float for a bit before sinking. These are often made out of sand, salt, paper, or clay and designed to dissolve away.
Protective Cremation Urns
If you’re looking for a more traditional and permanent option, there are urns designed for burial directly in the ground to keep your loved one’s ashes protected and preserved. They’re the exact opposite in purpose to the sustainable choices and are usually made of granite, marble, or polystyrene.
These cremation urns for ashes support the surrounding soil and prevent ground collapse as the years pass. They function similarly to a casket in that regard.
You can bury them in your yard, and some include a lid that can be left visible to serve as a memorial plaque. If you plan to bury the urn at a cemetery, you need to ensure you use a stone urn that can be buried without a separate vault.
Burial Vaults
A larger and more solid option, vaults are required by most cemeteries for burial in their sites. You can place a traditional urn of glass or ceramic inside the vault or put the ashes in by themselves. Cemeteries have moved beyond offering niches to include this option in response to changes in preferences and other cremation facts and figures.
These are large containers made of sturdy plastic or reinforced metal that come in many sizes and shapes to accommodate different urns. The lids often serve as a plaque or marker with your loved one’s name, information, and sometimes a photo.
Choosing a Cremation Urn
Burying your loved one’s ashes can give you the feel of a more traditional funeral and a location for the entire family to come to visit. Keep in mind the various options you have for cremation urns for burial as the burial location can impact your choice.
If you found this article helpful, you might also want to read our other articles related to funerals, grief, or sympathy gifts.