Sharing Ashes Among Family Members: A Guide to Keepsake Urns
When we lose a loved one, finding meaningful ways to honor their memory and keep them close becomes deeply important. For families who choose cremation, sharing ashes among family members through keepsake urns offers a beautiful way to maintain that connection. Some families choose to keep all the ashes in urns, while others may combine keepsake urns with scattering in special locations. This guide will help you understand your options and make this emotional decision with confidence.
What Are Keepsake Urns?
Keepsake urns are smaller cremation urns designed to hold a portion of a loved one's ashes. These specially crafted vessels allow multiple family members to each keep a portion of the cremated remains. Unlike full-size cremation urns, keepsake urns typically hold between 3 to 25 cubic inches of ashes, making them perfect for sharing among family members.
Why Choose Keepsake Urns?
Families choose keepsake urns for many meaningful reasons:
- Creating individual memorial spaces for each family member to maintain their personal connection
- Allowing family members who live in different locations to each have a physical reminder of their loved one
- Providing options for different memorial preferences within the same family
- Having a portable memorial that can be kept close, whether at home or when moving to a new location
Types of Keepsake Urns
Modern keepsake urns come in diverse styles to honor different personalities and preferences. Options include beautifully crafted vessels in materials like stone, ceramic, or wood, as well as jewelry pieces such as pendant necklaces or rings that allow you to keep your loved one close throughout your daily life.
For those honoring a beloved pet, specially designed smaller urns offer perfect options for sharing ashes among family members.
Memorial Options with Keepsake Urns
Keepsake urns provide flexibility in how families choose to memorialize their loved ones. Some families keep all the ashes, distributing them among multiple keepsake urns. Others may choose to combine keepsake urns with scattering. There's no single right way - each family can choose what feels most meaningful for their situation.
Practical Considerations When Choosing Keepsake Urns
Size and Capacity
- Calculate how many keepsake urns you'll need based on family members who wish to have one
- Consider how you'd like to distribute the ashes
- Remember that most adult cremations yield about 200-250 cubic inches of ashes
- Plan according to your family's memorial preferences
Material and Durability
- Indoor urns can be made from a wider range of materials
- Choose weather-resistant materials for urns that may be displayed outdoors
- Consider durability if the urn will be frequently handled or transported
Planning for Sharing Ashes
The process of sharing ashes requires thoughtful planning:
- Family Discussion: Have an open, loving conversation about everyone's wishes and preferences
- Memorial Decisions: Discuss how the family would like to distribute and preserve the ashes
- Careful Division: Measure out the ashes into our secure storage bags, or work with a funeral home or crematorium for proper division of ashes if needed.
- Ceremony Consideration: Some families choose to have a small ceremony when sharing keepsake urns
Caring for Your Keepsake Urn
To preserve your keepsake urn for years to come:
- Keep indoor urns away from direct sunlight to prevent fading
- Clean gently with appropriate materials based on the urn's composition
- Store in a stable environment away from extreme temperatures
- While all of our urns come with an included secure ash storage bag, you can also consider sealing for long-term security
Making Your Decision
Choosing how to memorialize a loved one is deeply personal. Take time to:
- Discuss options with family members
- Consider your loved one's wishes and personality
- Think about what type of memorial feels right for your family
- Reflect on what will bring the most comfort to those mourning
Remember, there's no rush to make this decision. Many families temporarily store ashes in a simple container while taking time to choose the perfect keepsake urns for their situation.
Conclusion
Sharing ashes through keepsake urns offers a beautiful way to keep the memory of your loved one close while allowing multiple family members to maintain their own special connection. Whether you choose displayed urns or wearable memorials, whether you keep all the ashes or combine keepsake urns with other memorial options such as scattering, the most important thing is finding choices that bring comfort and honor your loved one's memory in a way that feels right for your family.
Remember, this decision is about creating meaningful connections and preserving memories. Take the time you need to explore options and find the perfect keepsake urns for your family's needs.