How to Transfer Ashes to a Cremation Urn

The loss of a loved one is a challenging period for the whole family. There comes a time, when one has to deal with preparation and all the details of the post cremation process. 

In order to help you, this article provides important information about how to fill an urn with ashes while being respectful of both the person you’ve lost and your own emotional state. 

Although there are many different materials, shapes and designs, you should be careful when selecting an urn for your loved one and should take in consideration the capacity of the urn you would like you purchase. Remember, each pound prior to cremation is equal to a cubic inch of ashes- so when selecting an urn for someone who weighed 200 pounds, you will need an urn with a capacity of 200 cubic inches or larger. Back to the transfer process.

Basically there are two options for transferring cremation ashes - leave it to the professionals or do it yourself.

Option one: Ask the Crematorium or the Funeral Home to transfer the ashes

Usually, most funeral homes or crematoriums will perform this service for you.The funeral home you have been using should automatically place the cremains in the urn of your choice if you have purchased the urn through them.

If you didn’t order a memorial , your loved one's ashes would be placed in a temporary container. This container varies, it might be a sturdy cardboard box or a PVC snap lid canister.

Handmade urn for ashes by Pulvis

Usually the crematory attendant will place your loved one’s ashes in a plastic bag before being put in a temporary container or urn.

If you purchased an urn from another place, you could ask the funeral home owner to place your loved one's ashes in it. They may charge a fee for accepting a third party urn and will have you sign a waiver. It usually  states that you didn’t purchase the cremation urn through them, and they will not take responsibility for the product.

Find the perfect urn: KEEPSAKE URNS: A CONVENIENT SOLUTION AFTER CREMATION

If that is not the case we have included some tips to make filling an urn a little easier for you.

Option two: Transfer the cremation ashes yourself

If you feel capable of transferring cremains into a funeral urn yourself, the process does not have to be intimidating.

As we mentioned, ashes usually come from the funeral home or crematorium contained in a container or a plastic bag. 

Before beginning the transfer of the ashes, make sure you have a stable workspace. Then follow those simple steps:

Step one: Prepare your workplace

Place a list or a newspapaer to catch any cremation ashes that may fall. This is necessary only if you are going to open the bag. Actually there are several reasons why would you open the plastic bag: 

• The urn has a small opening and you will be pouring the remains 
• You are going to commingle the ashes of two people
• Filling small keepsakes
• Dividing the ashes among family members

Step two: Open the Urn and Insert the Bag into the Urn

You can pick up the bag and transfer the cremated remains into the other urn, especially if the urn has a large opening. Most of the urns are usually accessible from the bottom. Simply move the cremains from the temporary urn to the new urn.

If the urn’s opening is smaller, or if you are dividing the cremains, you will need to open the bag. 

Most urns require a bag, but if you purchased from Pulvis Art Urns and used the INNER COATING option, there is no need for a bag. Ashes can be poured directly. Check the video below.

If you accidentally spill some ashes on the workspace, don't worry, simply fold up the newspaper that you placed down and pour the cremated remains into the urn.

Step Three: Sealing the Urn

If you chose to pour the remains directly into the urn, perhaps in a ceramic or glass urn, then you may want to seal the lid. If the urn has a thread, sealing is not necessery, but still recommended.

We recommend sealing our large urns with adhesive(glue) suitable for ceramic surfaces. This is done in order to prevent spilling of the ashes. Ceramic lids are without threads and DO NOT close tightly, which may lead to ashes spill if not sealed.

Watch a detailed video of how to seal this large urn for ashes HERE

Option three: Ask a Family Member or a Close Friend to Transfer the Cremation Ashes

Placing the cremation ashes of anyone into an urn is an honor. You can ask a trusted friend to handle the cremated remains, but remember they have to follow the steps above.

Where To Place The Cremation Urn 

Creating a personal ritual around the transfer could be meaningful for your grieving process.  Perhaps you have a small memorial you will include with the cremation ashes. Or maybe you have some words to share with your loved one in private. Give yourself permission to go with what feels right to get what you need out of this experience.

Your loved one’s urn is now ready to be placed somewhere. What’s next?

Find some interesting proposals by Pulvis art Urns below: 

• 10 CREATIVE CREMATION ASHES IDEAS
• BEST IDEAS FOR KEEPING ASHES AT HOME
• KEEPING URNS AND ASHES IN A CEMETERY. WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW.

The Passage Handmade Urn for Ashes

When you are ready, Pulvis Art urns can help you honor your loved one with high-quality urns and keepsakes.

As a compliment for reading our blog article, you can use the coupon READER10 at checkout for 10% discount for your order.

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