What you need to know about keepsake urns
When a loved one chooses cremation, families are left with decisions about what to do with the ashes — and for many, a keepsake urn becomes one of the most personal and enduring objects they hold onto. Unlike the standard urn provided by the crematorium, a keepsake urn is smaller, designed to be kept close, displayed in the home, or shared among family members who each want to hold a part of their loved one's memory.
What are keepsake urns?
So, what are keepsake urns and how are they different from traditional urns? The only difference between a standard urn and a keepsake urn is their size. A traditional or standard urn is considered full-sized. The keepsake urn, meanwhile, typically holds only a few cubic inches of cremains — the term for cremated remains.
A keepsake urn is mostly used in addition to a full-sized urn. For instance, a traditional full-sized urn might be buried, interred in a family mausoleum, or settled into a special place in your home where it can be stored safely. The keepsake urn, which contains only a small portion of the cremains, can then be displayed in a more accessible area of your home, like a living room or shelving unit — and some are even small enough to be worn.
Why use one?
You may want to keep a reminder of your loved one's presence in your home, but at the same time not want to risk damage to the full-sized urn. You can keep the full-sized urn in a safe and secure place, and have the keepsake urn closer to you.
Typically, the traditional urn is interred in a mausoleum, buried in a small grave plot, or the ashes are scattered in a meaningful place. The funeral home or cremation service will usually provide a standard urn for your loved one's cremains, or you can purchase one from them. These are typically stainless steel, aluminium, bronze or copper urns in a standard shape and size. Since these urns aren't designed to be kept on display, a keepsake urn gives families a more personal alternative — particularly if you plan to scatter the ashes but want to retain a small portion as a lasting memento.
Types of keepsake urns
There are many different materials and designs for keepsake urns. Here are the main types to consider.
Ceramics
Ceramics are one of the most common types of keepsake urns, although they are more fragile than metallic options. The great thing about ceramics is that they can be painted and customised easily, which allows for a great deal of personalisation.
Porcelain
Porcelain is another popular option that can be personalised beautifully. Unlike ceramic keepsake urns, porcelain has a smooth, glossy surface. Like ceramics, porcelain urns can be fragile, so it's best to keep them somewhere they cannot easily be knocked over.
Stainless steel
Stainless steel keepsake urns are very popular, and many funeral homes include them in their packages. They are durable, easy to clean, and can be laser-engraved with a name, a loving message, a quote or a poem.
Wood
Wood keepsake urns are a natural and warm option. They are solid and sturdy, and can be easily personalised — either by the supplier or by a local engraver.
Bronze
Like stainless steel, a bronze keepsake urn is very durable and easily customisable. Laser-engraving works particularly well on bronze, giving a clean and lasting result.
Marble
The marble keepsake urn is one of the most striking options available. Marble has long been associated with permanence and memorial, and like ceramic urns, it can be personalised through laser-engraving.
Glass or crystal
Glass or crystal keepsake urns are among the most visually beautiful options. They are creative and eye-catching, though they require careful placement — away from children and pets, and anywhere they might easily be knocked over.
Biodegradable
Biodegradable keepsake urns are the perfect choice if your loved one was environmentally conscious. A biodegradable urn can also be buried outdoors, allowing the cremains to return naturally to the earth.
Personalising a keepsake urn
Personalising a keepsake urn is one of the most meaningful ways to honour your loved one. Many materials — ceramic, wood, stainless steel, bronze, marble — can be engraved with a name, a date, a line from a poem, or words that simply felt true about them.
One advantage of personalising is that you can create individual keepsake urns for different family members — each holding a small portion of the cremains, each personalised to reflect a particular relationship. Many urn providers and funeral homes offer personalisation as part of their service. It's worth asking about this when you're choosing, rather than arranging it separately afterward.
A keepsake urn is one way of keeping someone close. An online memory book is another — a private, permanent space where the photos, stories, and memories of everyone who loved them are gathered together and can be returned to whenever you need them. The two sit alongside each other naturally: one physical, one digital, both lasting.
For families navigating cremation and everything that follows, Memories brings the tribute together — the tribute video, the eulogy, the order of service, and the online memory book — in one place, at your own pace. Start for free — no credit card required.
