An urn is a place to store someone’s cremated ashes, but these have come a long way in recent years. There are now so many options to choose from to honor your loved one’s memory. This is especially important when you’re looking for creative urns for your mother, one of the most important people in your life.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- What to Consider When Picking an Urn for Mom
- Traditional Urn Types for Mom
- Types of Keepsake Urns for Mom
- Other Unique Types Urns for Mom
- Where Can You Buy an Urn for Mom Online?
- Frequently Asked Questions: Buying an Urn for Mom
Today’s urns are about more than just function. They’re also stylish and include a number of different cremation art options. There are even non-traditional alternatives to really reflect your mom’s personality and passions.
Like with all things related to end-of-life planning, there is no one-size-fits-all. It’s just about choosing the best option for your loved one. In this guide, we’ll share the best urn types to honor mom and her legacy.
Tip: For a truly unique urn for your mom, you can send your own design to Foreverence and have it 3D printed. Foreverence can create urns in any shape, color, and style, so the urn you order can be as one-of-a-kind as your mom was in life.
What to Consider When Picking an Urn for Mom
There are a lot of things to consider before you pick an urn for mom. There is always a balance between style and function. This means you should have a plan for keeping the urn, burying it, or disposing of it in some way. You’ll also have to handle some practical elements, like the size.
While your funeral home can help with specific questions, here are the top things to consider when picking an urn for mom:
- Cost: Like with all things, the cost is one of the first concerns most people have. If you’re wondering how much does an urn costs, you’re in luck. There is a lot of flexibility, and you can even create one on your own with a bit of DIY know-how.
- Size: You’ll need to have enough space to fit your mom’s ashes in your urn. This is something the crematorium can provide direction in, but if your mom was taller or larger, she might need additional space considerations. In addition, if you’re dividing ashes between family members, you also might choose a smaller urn.
- Style: Do you want a biodegradable urn for a water or land burial, or would you prefer something you can keep in your home for years to come?
- Personality: Last but not least, did your mom have any passions or personality quirks that you’d like to honor with an urn? These are fully customizable, so consider how she’d like to be remembered.
Now that you know what to keep in mind, it’s time to share some of the best options for urns. You might be surprised by just how diverse this list is!
Read our full guide on picking urns for ashes if for more.
Traditional Urn Types for Mom
First, let’s start with more traditional urn types for mom. These are things you can easily store within your home or display on a shelf. They become a precious heirloom for years to come, and they keep your mother close.
1. Micro urn
A micro urn is exactly as the name implies. It’s an urn that’s built much smaller than the norm, usually intended if you’re dividing up the ashes amongst family members.
Because it’s so small, this is easy to take with you throughout your life and fits in with existing decorations.
2. Traditional vase
The most traditional urn style is the vase. These come in all types of styles, materials, and sizes. Most choose a stone or natural finish to symbolize the return to nature, but feel free to get something out-of-the-box if the design speaks to you.
3. Flower vase urn
Urns are typically shaped like vases, but some actually are designed to hold flowers or other plants. These vases blend into your home’s design, and they allow you to honor your loved one’s favorite flowers.
4. Wall mount urn
Recently, wall mount urns have gained popularity as a traditional choice. These urns are built similarly to vases, only they’re intended to adhere to the wall. These are often made of wood, and that allows them to be customized with personal information, designs, and more.
5. Outdoor urn
Lastly, outdoor urns are heavier, and they’re usually made of granite or stone. These rest outside, similar to a headstone. This is cheaper than a traditional burial, and the urn can rest in your home, within a garden, or in a traditional graveyard.
Types of Keepsake Urns for Mom
For many, an urn is a way to feel closer to a loved one after they’ve passed. These keepsake urns for mom below are intended to stay in your home, a reminder of your mother’s legacy for years to come.
6. Candle urn
Lighting a candle is a wonderful symbol of life and memory. Many choose to light a candle yearly upon a loved one’s death, so it’s easy to see why this type of urn makes a great keepsake. A candle urn has a built-in candle holder for displaying a memorial candle.
7. Book urn
If your mom was an avid reader, a book urn is a powerful way to honor her memory. These can be custom made, or you can DIY one yourself. Within the book, there’s a container for securing your loved one’s ashes. From there, you can display the book on its own or keep it safe on a beloved bookshelf.
8. Portrait urns
Many artists create what’s known as a portrait urn. This is when your loved one’s ashes are mixed with paint to create a portrait, whether it’s an image of them or something they loved. Knowing that your loved one is embodied in this image is a cherished keepsake.
9. Rock urn
If your mother loved being outside, honor her legacy with a rock urn. This is a real or artificial rock that containers a secure space for your loved one’s ashes. Then, it’s easy to store the rock outside in a favorite garden, sunny spot, or under a beloved tree.
10. Diamond urn
Diamonds really are forever, and one way to keep your mom’s memory alive is to have her remains turned into a diamond. Eterneva creates real diamonds using cremated remains over a period of a few months. Though more expensive than most urns, this is a touching way to hold her beautiful memory close.
Other Unique Types Urns for Mom
Finally, there are many unique types of urns for moms that put a spin on the traditional cremation method. These ideas are more affordable than you think, and they’re also quickly growing in popularity.
11. Water urn
For the mother who loved the ocean, a water urn is a touching tribute to a life of freedom and peace. Water urns are made to slowly scatter her ashes throughout a body of water, whether you choose the ocean, a local lake, or even a backyard pond.
12. Tree or flower urn
This is a non-traditional take on a burial urn. By mixing the ashes with the seeds for a tree or flower bed, you can grow your mother’s legacy into a gorgeous array of new life. This is a beautiful reminder that rebirth can come from anywhere.
13. Jewelry urn
Aside from diamonds, there are many types of jewelry designed to act as literal urns. Things like urn necklaces and bracelets have secure compartments for storing your loved one’s ashes close to your heart. You’ll always feel them with you, and this makes a powerful family heirloom to pass down for generations.
14. Memorial tattoo
Many people choose to get a tattoo in honor of a loved one, but you can even take this a step further. It’s now possible to use special ink and process to use the cremated remains within the ink itself. Talk about feeling closer than ever before!
15. Vinyl record
Last but not least, say it with a song. Ashes can now be used to create a vinyl record. No matter what music your mom loved, you can honor her life and legacy in this way.
Where Can You Buy an Urn for Mom Online?
With so many places to buy urns for mom, you might be wondering if it’s a good idea to shop online. The great news is that there are more online urn retailers than ever before. If you’re looking to buy an urn for mom online, check out the top providers below.
Etsy
First, many people are surprised to learn just how many urns can be found on Etsy. These are usually customizable and personalizable, making sure you get exactly what you’re looking for. With unique and out-of-the-box creations, as well, Etsy is a surprisingly great source of urns for mom.
Amazon
Another great place to find urns is Amazon. Known for trustworthy service and fast shipping times, it’s easy to find just about anything on Amazon—including urns. Regardless of your budget, you can find many different styles and options. Better yet, some are even available through Amazon Prime, which means you could receive your urn in as little as two days.
Oaktree Memorials
This up-and-coming urn and keepsake provider specializes in unique, stunning urns that are created by special artisans. While most urns have a very distinct style and shape, Oaktree Memorials believes urns should naturally fit with your existing design aesthetic. These are discreet, tasteful, and entirely unique.
Perfect Memorials
Perfect Memorials has helped people of all backgrounds find the right urn for years, and this is one of the most trusted urn providers online. Perfect Memorials has a large selection of both traditional and unique urns for mom, and they stand out in a few different ways.
First, they have a 101-Day price match guarantee. This means they’ll deliver the absolute best price every time, and they always make it easy to return your urn if you’re not satisfied. With this commitment to service, Perfect Memorials continues to be a top provider.
Walmart
Yes, you read that right. You can get urns for mom at Walmart, as well. Walmart is a trusted online retailer, and they specialize in affordable urns for any budget. With some urns starting at just $24.99, it’s possible to find something for everyone. Read reviews, explore seller history, and get free delivery through W+.
Stardust Memorials
Stardust Memorials is one of the oldest online providers of urns. They only sell urns and cremation jewelry, so you know they’re dedicated to their craft. The best part about Stardust Memorials, aside from their large selection, is that almost every urn can be customized or engraved. This means you can find exactly what you’re looking for when honoring your mom.
Urn Garden
Lastly, Urn Garden is a small, family-owned online urn retailer. Started after the family experienced their own loss, they’re dedicated to helping everyone find the right tribute products for those they love. Their cremation urns are organized by style, and there are a lot of unique opinions to choose from that may suit your mother’s memory.
Frequently Asked Questions: Buying an Urn for Mom
When shopping for an urn, it’s common to have a few questions. This is a process most people don’t do frequently, if at all, so it can feel new and intimidating. The frequently asked questions below clear up the most common concerns.
How do you know what size urn to buy for your mother’s ashes?
First, urns come in different sizes, and this can be tricky if you’re unfamiliar with how the sizing works. The good news is there are only 4 types of urn sizes you really need to know:
- Individual: This is also known as ‘regular’ or ‘full-size.’ These urns are designed to hold the ashes of an adult-sized human. These are the urns you’re likely most familiar with.
- Companion: Another option is a companion urn. These are extra-large urns or even multiple urns put together. They’re designed to hold ashes for multiple people, like a couple.
- Infant: Infant urns are also sometimes used as pet urns. These are similar to individual urns, but they hold a smaller amount of ashes.
- Keepsake: Finally, a keepsake urn holds the least amount of ashes. These are mini urns, ideal if you’re scattering most of your mother’s ashes or splitting the ashes amongst other family members.
With this in mind, most families choose the individual-sized urn. These hold up to 250 cubic inches of cremated ashes, but you should review the specifications for your design of choice.
What do people typically engrave on their urns for their moms’ ashes?
Next, when choosing your mom’s cremation urn, you might have the option to personalize it. The most common personalization is engraving, though this is entirely optional. It’s a personal decision what you choose to engrave.
Most families engrave a combination of the following:
- The loved one’s name
- The loved one’s birth date and death date (or year)
- A religious passage
- A special quote
- An epitaph (‘Gone but never forgotten,’ etc.)
Choosing a heartfelt engraving is a way to honor your mother’s memory, so don’t overlook this process. Many urn providers include this service for free or for a small fee. However, pay close attention to character and sizing limits.
How can you transfer your mom’s ashes to the urn?
Finally, how do you transfer ashes to the urn? This is an easy process, but it’s still something you’ll want to take care in doing. Before you begin, make sure you review any specific instructions from the urn provider. Some urns need to be prepared to receive ashes. Others are ready to go right away.
When you transfer your mom’s ashes, you’ll want to do so in a safe space. Because some ashes might spill in the process, have a solid surface underneath the urn to collect any fallen ashes. From there, use a small funnel to slowly pour the correct amount of ashes into the urn.
Once complete, secure the urn. Most urns are secured using a cork system, lid, or screwdriver. Make sure the lid is attached correctly. Any mistakes could lead to the ashes being lost or spilled later on. In addition, make sure you don’t overfill the urn past the limit. Always follow the manufacturer guidelines.
Honoring Your Mother’s Legacy
An urn is more than just a place to store your loved one’s ashes. It’s a reminder of the impact they had on you, other family members, and the world. While there used to only be limited options, the choices are growing by the day. You can find the perfect urn to suit your mom’s life and legacy with ease.
How do you think your loved one wants to be remembered? How can you honor their legacy with an urn that fits your needs and their wishes? There is no right answer, so choose what feels best to you.