Knowledge You Can Build On — Est. 1998
urn size
joaz hill
>Could someone tell me what size the typical urn is for the average human remain's would be.
A friend just passed and I need to know soon to get started on this project. I would guess the inside is the most important diminsion. Thanks Joaz
Re: urn size
MikeinCapeMay
>You should check with a local funeral home to determine if there is a state or local law regarding size where you live. Having said that, I believe that the recommended minimum is 200 cu. inches.
Re: urn size
Ruth in So. CAl
>I read recently that it was 121 cubic inches.......so asking a funeral parlour would be your best bet.
Re: urn size
MikeinCapeMay
>Ruth,
That's much too small for an adult. Adult remains are generally 5 to 7 lbs and about 160 to 180 cu. in.
This is from the Cremation Association of North America:
URN SIZE & PURPOSES
Cremation Urns can be used to hold ashes for interring, either in a cemetery niche or at home, scattering or both. The minimum urn size should be no less than 200 cubic inches. The Cremation Association of North America (CANA) has determined that 200 cubic inches is the standard size. All of our standard urns exceed that requirement. Our Companion Urns (double), hold up to 600 cubic inches, well above CANA's standards. To measure for sizing: One cubic inch equals one pound of body weight.
Mementos, such as a lock of hair, a letter, a small piece of clothing, a baseball, jewelry, or wedding rings, can be placed in the urn as a memoriam of remembrance for your loved one. If ashes are scattered, a permanent place of remembrance can still be made either at home at a cemetery.
Keepsakes and keepsake jewelry urns are to keep a very small amount of cremains "as a keepsake". Some keepsakes can accommodate a lock of hair or letter, rings. etc. Often, children of a parent who has passed may want a keepsake, also spouses, friends and parent's of a deceased child.
Re: urn size
Ron Smith
>You might try contacting Bill Grumbine, who posts on here sometimes. He had a very informative article on a similar project he did some time back. It was amazing to read all of the statistics he had to learn to do his. Good luck and be sure and post pictures!
Re: urn size
Ruth in So. CAl
>Mike...now I think of it, one of the articles I read was on pet urns.....I'm glad of the one pound one cubic inch forumla. Thanks,
r
Re: urn size *LINK*
Bill Grumbine, Kutztown PA
>Hi Joaz
I turned an urn for a fellow woodworker a few years ago, and came across this same thing. Here is a line taken from the article I wrote on my website:
"The volume specified by the funeral home was 225 cubic inches, or just under one gallon (231 cu. in.). Using the formula for a sphere, I came to the conclusion that I was going to need a spherical shape about 8" in diameter.
The formula for a sphere is (4/3)(3.14) multiplied by the radius cubed. I found that a sphere was more suited to a cylinder for the design I was given by the family. There was an article in the last Journal of the AAW on urns, and mine was pictured in with the rest.
I hope this helps you out some, and if I can answer any other questions, I would be glad to try. I have seen your work in the past, and I suspect that whatever you turn is going to be a very nice tribute to the person for whom it is intended.
Here is the urn I made. This is not the only one I have turned, but it is the most widely known of my efforts. If you or anyone else is interested in reading about the process, it can be found at the link below.
Re: urn size *LINK*
joaz hill
>Thanks all for your great advice.
Bill G. was very informative.
The friend that passed was quite small when he died(stomach cancer) and he was not very large fellow in life. I was hoping to build something small than Bill's. Perhaps I should look at the ash and see if I can adjust the size to the quanity. Thanks again. Joaz
http://www.maine-web.com/woodturning
Re: urn size
Russ Fairfield
>First Rule of making an Urn:
Too big is far better than too small.
There is nothing more embarrassing than having a little bit left over when the Urn is filled.
Geez Russ
MikeinCapeMay
>This is not a subject that should cause laughter, but after reading your post.............I'm having difficulty stopping.
Re: urn size
Don Henthorn
>Guess you could always put what was left over in a plastic baggy and tape it to the urn with instructions to use to refil if the urn gets low.
Re: urn size
Bob Hackett
>Just bounce the urn repeatedly off any flat surface to get the rest in.
My wife does this all the time when what`s in the box doesn`t fit in the canister.
MB
Re: urn size
Russ Fairfield
>There is a limit to how much you can bounce into the urn. They didn't tell me that the guy was 6'5" and 340 pounds, and I didn't think to ask.
I solved two problems and saved the sale by suggesting a 2nd Urn so the two sisters could share their Dad.
Now that`s quick thinking
Bob Hackett
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