Burying Ashes after Cremation. What You Need to Know About Cremated Remains.

Burying ashes is a popular way of demonstrating symbolic closure following cremation. For those who aren’t interested in keeping urns at home, the interment of ashes can be a practical option. Did you know that there are multiple options involved when arranging for the interment of ashes? Choosing a burial location, browsing between different cremation urns for ashes, and organizing a ceremony are all things to consider.

When it comes to the cremated ashes of a family member, there are many ways to honor and memorialize your loved one. One of the most traditional ways is to bury the ashes in a cremation urn or in a columbarium. However, there are also unique ideas to consider if you wish to do something different. Handcrafted memorials and jewelry made using a small amount of cremation ashes are a beautiful way to remember and tribute your loved one.

For those who are faced with the dilemma of what to do with the ashes of a departed loved one, there are plenty of options available. Scattering cremated remains in a meaningful location, such as a favorite garden or body of water, can be a touching way to honor the life of a loved one. Alternatively, you may choose to bury the urn in a mausoleum or niche, or even divide the ashes among family members to keep a piece of your loved one close to each of you.

Burying Ashes in a Cemetery or Scattter the Ashes ?

Many people don’t realize that cremated ashes can be buried in a cemetery, and in most cases, the interment of ashes in a burial plot is much more affordable than traditional burial, since the plot doesn’t require as much space. Shared family plots offer the ability to bury ashes alongside deceased loved ones, which can be an extra source of confidence for families.

Calla Flower Urn. Calla Lily Urn for AShes by Pulvis ARt Urns. Cremation Urn for Ashes.

Calla Lily Urn for ashes - Medium size urn

 

 

In addition to burial in a plot, some cemeteries offer the option of storing cremated ashes in a columbarium. Many columbarium spaces are leased for a set amount of time. A great benefit of this is that the ashes can remain in beautiful ceramic urns. Protected from the elements, these cremation urns for ashes can then be collected if the family decides later that they would like to keep the urn at home or commission the creation of specific keepsakes for ashes.

 

Familiarize yourself with the regulations and guidelines set by the cemetery regarding the burial of ashes. They may have specific requirements for urns, markers, headstones, or any memorialization options. It's crucial to adhere to these guidelines to ensure a respectful and proper burial.

Set of artisan ceramic urns for ashes. Model "Light"
Set of artisan ceramic urns for ashes. Model "Light"

 

 

Community Memorial Gardens

There are also a number of communal memorial gardens that allow the interment or scattering of ashes. These typically offer a very natural setting with flowers, shrubs, trees, and reflection ponds. Community memorial gardens are unique in that the space is shared by many, and permission to access the space must be approved by the managing authorities.

Churchyard Interment

Traditionally, church parishes reserved space for the interment of ashes and traditional burials, either in a plot or columbarium. However, because of space limitations, this is not as common nowadays. It’s typical for religious leaders to require an official ceremony when using a churchyard facility. In addition, there may be additional rules on what types of cremation urns for ashes are allowed for interment in a churchyard. For example, handcrafted urns, some type of religious urns, artisan urns, or urns made from certain materials may be prohibited.

 

Interment of ashes refers to burying cremated remains into the ground or placing an urn into a columbarium. In the United States, you can legally bury or inter ashes in a wide variety of locations, including cemeteries, wilderness areas, private land, or in the sea. There are rules, benefits, and costs associated with each option, so there's no single "right" decision for every family.

Cremation urn for ashes - The Passage

Artisan urns for ashes. "The Passage" set of urns - buy here directly 

 

 

Burying Ashes on Private Property

This is the interment option with the least amount of red tape, and it offers an endless amount of options, as you can use ceramic, wooden, biodegradable urns, or no urns at all. As long as you have the permission of the land owner, burying ashes on private property is allowed.

Selecting Cremation Urns for Ashes

Once you’ve decided where to bury the ashes, you can then think about what type of cremation urns for ashes you’re interested in. With a wide variety of urns for ashes on the market, it can be an enjoyable and meaningful process to find the perfect memorial for your loved one. Just keep in mind that different burial sites will have standards on what type of cremation urns for ashes are approved for interment.

Handmade Urns for Ashes. Cremation Urns for Ashes by Pulvis

Handcrafted urns for ashes by Pulvis Art Urns 

Organizing a Ceremony for the Interment of Ashes

Finally, organizing a ceremony for the burial can be an opportunity to personalize the experience and pay homage to your loved one. Whether reading a poem, playing a certain song, or gathering in a group prayer, ceremonies can be designed with as little or as much time needed to commemorate the moment.

Determine the Date and Location: Choose a date and location for the interment ceremony.

Officiant or Ceremony Leader: Determine who will lead the ceremony. This could be a religious or spiritual leader, a family member, or a close friend.

Guest List and Invitations: Decide who you would like to invite to the ceremony. Consider close family members, friends, and other individuals who were significant in the life of the departed.

Ceremony Program: Prepare a ceremony program that outlines the order of events and includes any readings, music, or tributes that will take place during the ceremony.

Readings and Eulogies: Select meaningful readings, poems, or passages that reflect the personality, values, and beliefs of the departed.

Commemorative Items: Consider providing small keepsakes or mementos for attendees to take home as a remembrance of the ceremony.

Transporting the Cremation Ashes

Wherever you're planning burying ashes, you'll need to have a safe way of transporting them there. If you've purchased a cremation urn, make sure that it seals securely, and/or the ashes are in a sealed bag inside the urn.

Most airlines will allow you to transport cremation remains, either as air cargo, or as carry-on or checked luggage, but each airline’s policy differs, so you’ll need to check with your airline prior boarding.

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Read our article about transporting cremation ashes: 

https://www.pulvisurns.com/blogs/news/transporting-cremation-ashes-what-you-should-know

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Choosing the Right Burial Urn for Ashes

Burial in a public cemetery typically requires either an urn vault or an urn burial container. It's important for the appearance of the cemetery for there to be a solid container to hold the interred ashes. 

If you plan on burying cremation urn on your own property or in another location where it is permitted, you can consider some of our urns, suitable for burial, such as the "Eternity".

Eternity Urn for AShes - Burial Urn for Ashes

Cremation urns that will be interred in a columbarium must have the right size and shape to fit in the space of the columbarium niche. Columbaria have individual niches where urns can be placed, so you'll need to know the correct dimension, prior to ordering the right memorial urn for your loved one. 

Regardless of what you choose to do with the cremation ashes, remember that there is no right or wrong way to memorialize your loved one. Whether you opt for a handmade cremation urns for ashes or a piece of jewelry that incorporates the ashes of your loved one, the most important thing is that you find a way to remember and honor the person who meant so much to you.

 

 

 

 

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4 comments

  • George E Carr
    • George E Carr
    • January 16, 2025 at 1:17 pm

    A mother owns a grave plot in Breckenridge County Kentucky she is buried there. Could a son be buried next to her in a cremation ⚱️ urn. The parishes the church parish is St Anthony’s Axtell Kentucky 40152. Sincerely George Carr email llcarr@windstream.net

  • Gloria
    • Gloria
    • August 30, 2024 at 11:41 am

    Is there a tax incentive to bury ashes on private property?

  • Joyce Becker
    • Joyce Becker
    • June 23, 2023 at 9:41 am

    I have this same question. I would like my son to be buried in the same plot as his brother.

  • Ed Connelly
    • Ed Connelly
    • March 1, 2023 at 1:54 pm

    Can a 3rd person family member be put in a grave site

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