How to choose an urn

Before making a decision buyers should consider the following:

Choose for yourself:

It is a gift to your loved ones if you are able to pick out the exact urn you’d like. There should not be any stigma around doing this. It is practical and can guarantee you get to be remembered in the way you choose. Choosing an urn that featured your favorite flowers, a meaningful site, or even a tribute to the farm you grew up are all ways that you can choose now. You can choose a single urn, or choose to get multiple smaller urns. These can be customized and made as a set, or each fully unique. We are happy to help you work through any ideas you may have.

Size: Ensure the urn is the appropriate size to hold the ashes of your loved one. A good rule of thumb is 1 square inch per pound of their weight. We have the square inches shown on all urns in our shop. When in doubt, order a size larger. When placing bagged ashes into urn, make sure to allow extra room.

Choosing the Right Material for Your Cremation Urn:

First, select a material that is durable and appropriate for how and where you plan to use the urn. At Aspen Sky Designs, we handcraft all of our cremation urns from high-quality wood, making them ideal for display in your home. They are also suitable for funeral services.

If you plan to bury the urn, be sure to check with the cemetery about their specific requirements. Most cemeteries require the urn to be placed inside an urn vault for burial. The cemetery staff can guide you through this process.

If you need the exact outer dimensions of an urn you’ve selected from Aspen Sky Designs, simply contact us—we’re happy to provide the measurements to you, your cemetery, or your funeral home directly.

In many states, you can also legally bury a cremation urn on your private property; however, we recommend verifying local regulations to ensure compliance.

While our handcrafted wood urns are primarily designed for indoor display, they can also be used for funeral services and burial if desired. (We encourage you to take meaningful photos of your urn before burial to preserve its memory.)

Design:

Consider the design and style of the urn to ensure it is a fitting tribute to the deceased. This is where Aspen Sky designs in partnership with Noelle Rollins Art shines. We want to make sure you have an urn that you feel captures the personality and humanity of the person you loved.  Also note, are you keeping all of the ashes or will you be dividing them between family members? We can offer sets of coordinating urns. Just ask.

Cost:

Determine a budget and compare prices to ensure the urn fits your needs. Urns can range in cost from lower amounts, up into the thousands. Choose a style and price point that makes you feel good both now and proud to display it for years to come.

Personalization:

Consider personalizing the urn with engravings or other customization options to make it unique and meaningful. Aspen Sky Designs can engrave or hand paint your loved one’s information on your urn. We can also customize colors, flower choices, and even create a fully customized design.

Timing: Honor Your Own Pace:

At Aspen Sky Designs, we encourage you to move through this process at a pace that feels right for you. Rather than feeling pressured to hold a service within a set timeframe, we invite you to take the time you need to honor your loved one and your own healing journey.

In fact, many families we have worked with have chosen to wait several weeks—or even months—before planning a full memorial or celebration of life. Without exception, those who allowed themselves this extra time expressed deep gratitude for the decision. By slowing down, they created space to process their grief more fully before gathering publicly, resulting in ceremonies that felt more meaningful and intentional.

For those needing immediate arrangements, some families choose to use a temporary, standard urn for the funeral service and later commission a permanent keepsake urn for long-term remembrance. In other situations, multiple keepsake urns are selected when ashes will be shared among family members.

Additionally, we often work with individuals who, even years after their loss, feel called to update or replace an urn they originally chose. Whether your needs are immediate or arise later, our team is here to offer guidance and support.

Above all, we want you to know there is no “right” timeline for honoring a life. When you are ready, we are honored to help you create a meaningful, lasting tribute that truly reflects the love you carry forward.