Urn
The container that holds cremated remains. Required only if the family wants something more permanent than the temporary plastic container the crematory provides.
Urns range from free (the basic plastic container) to $5,000+ (custom-crafted ceramics, hand-carved wood). The crematory always returns the ashes in a temporary container regardless of what else the family buys.
Urns are not required for scattering. They are required for placement in a columbarium niche or cemetery urn garden, where the specific size is dictated by the niche dimensions.
- Cremation— Reducing the body to bone fragments and ash using high heat (about 1,400–1,800 °F) over two to three hours. The resulting 'cremated remains' weigh 4–8 pounds for an adult.
- Casket— The container the body is placed in for viewing and burial. Required for traditional funerals; optional for direct cremation (a cardboard 'alternative container' suffices).
This definition is general consumer information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Industry practices and regulations change occasionally; verify before relying on anything here for a specific decision.
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