Pet Urn Materials For Your Dog Or Cat

pet urn materialsYour pet was a member of your family, so it makes sense that you would want to memorialize him or her in your home.  Researching and choosing a pet urn during a period of grieving can be difficult and it can also be cathartic.  Laying your pet to rest is never an easy process, but choosing the perfect urn to store his or her ashes can help ease the pain.  When you know that your family friend will be honored with a fitting memorial, it can begin to help you heal.

Cremation urns have often been seen as ugly or uninteresting, but it all depends on the style you choose in the end.  The traditional wide-mouthed vase is not your only option.  Urns come in all shapes, styles, sizes and materials.  In this article we’ll cover the different types of materials urns are made from and which one is right for you and your pet.

Metal urns are the most common.  These pet urns are usually crafted from inexpensive but durable metals.  Pewter, brass and bronze are used most often.  Metals are obviously the more traditional of your options and are available in a variety of colors that can suit the decor of your home.

Glass urns have recently become popular.  Stained or tinted glass can be an elegant way to keep your pet’s memory alive.  These glass pet urns are available in many styles and any color imaginable.  The glass urn is a little less “stuffy” than its metal counterpart and would fit a more modern  home well.

Ceramics and stones are the most customizable urns.  These cat and dog urns can be carved into any shape.  There are many available online that are carved to look like dogs, cats, butterflies or anything else you can imagine.  There are even companies that will allow you to commission a custom urn, perhaps in the shape of your pet or his/her favorite toy.

For those that prefer a more natural choice, there are wooden urns available.  Wood is perfect for the more outdoorsy type.  If your pet loved to run in the park with you, what better way to honor his memory than to have an urn made from the same kind of wood as his favorite tree?

There are many, many choices in choosing the perfect urn to honor your beloved pet.  The process can seem overwhelming at first, but narrowing down your choice by knowing your material preference can make the task a little less daunting.  Once you know what type of urn you want, view my featured lists of photographic, modern or classic urns.

How to Choose an Urn For Your Dog or Cat

Choosing an urn for your catYour dog or cat was your best friend and part of your family.  A beloved companion that it is hard to say goodbye to.  If you have chosen cremation, the best way to honor your pet’s memory is by choosing an urn that suits him or her.  There are a number of factors that should be taken into consideration when seeking out and purchasing an urn.  Some of these factors are absolute and some are a matter of preference.

First, you will need to know your dog or cat’s weight prior to purchasing an urn.  This is so that you know what size urn to purchase.  You can weigh your pet yourself at home by standing on a scale, then standing on the scale with the pet and subtracting your own weight from that figure.  If this is not an option, you can also contact your veterinarian for your pet’s last recorded weight.  When searching for the perfect urn to memorialize your pet, keep in mind that one pound of body weight equals one cubic inch of ash.  As an example, if you have a dog that weighs twenty pounds, you will need an urn capable of holding 20 cubic inches.  These numbers should be readily available from any reputable distributor.

types of cat urnsThe next decision you must make is whether you are going to bury or display your pet’s urn.  If you choose to bury it, you will want to take the material the urn is made out of into consideration.  Decide whether or not you want the urn to last the weathering of being buried or whether you want it to decompose within the earth.  There are biodegradable urns available for this option.

If you would rather display the pet’s urn in your home, take your apartment or house’s decor into consideration.  Keep in mind that this urn is something you will be displaying to memorialize your pet for generations to come.  There are dozens of styles of dog and cat urns available online, and one is bound to suit your style and honor your pet at the same time.

There are two types of urn shapes that are most common.  One is the vase style that you are probably already familiar with, and the other is the “keepsake” box style.  The keepsake box can be large enough to put your pet’s tags or favorite toy inside with the ashes or anything else you feel your pet would like to take with in the afterlife.  However, if you plan to add anything besides your pet’s ashes to the urn, keep the cubic mass of the addition in mind when choosing a size.

Another important thing to consider when purchasing an urn for your departed pet is the material of the urn.  Read my next article for more information.

To Bury or Display Your Pet

Pet cemeteriesDeciding what to do when your pet passes away is obviously complicated.  There are so many choices to make and options to consider.  The most common and popular method is cremation.  If you come this far in my series on pet cremation, this is probably the decision you’ve made, or at least one you are heavily considering.

In our culture, burial is still the more popular option for managing our loved ones after they have passed on.  However, cremation has been gaining in popularity for generations as a less expensive alternative.  As discussed in previous articles, cremation is also a nice way to honor your lost dog or cat by giving him or her a permanent place in your home, one that transcends life and death.

If you prefer the idea of burial but don’t have the ability to bury your pet in traditional manners, there is still one more option.  You can choose an urn for your pet and have a burial for that urn and his or her ashes.  Pet cemeteries offer much less expensive burial plots for urns because they take up less land space.  Some pet cemeteries also have enclosures intended for cremation urns that will give you peace of mind that the ashes are safe.  You will also have a place to visit your pet whenever you choose.

If you would prefer to bury at home, cremation and a pet urn make this process easier as well.  If you live on a plot of land that has space limits it lessens the amount of room necessary for a proper burial.  This is especially true if you have a pet that is a large breed.  Choosing to bury an urn instead of the body will also lighten the load on whomever has to put in the physical labor to create the grave site.

With the option of urn burial at home, you can also have a headstone made or plant a tree to permanently memorialize your lost companion for generations to come.  This provides a close, safe place for you to honor your pet and enjoy the memories you have of him or her.

If you would like to choose a more natural burial, there are many biodegradable options out there.  One of the most interesting is a sea burial concept from Marble Products International.

natural looking pet urns

While this Carpel Rock Salt Pet Urn above is a beautiful piece, it is made from rock salt and is designed to fully dissolve within four hours.  This particular urn is 80 cubic inches in volume, so it could hold pets of several different sizes.

The burial process also offers the opportunity to have a funeral or ceremony to celebrate your pet’s life with those who love you and loved your pet with you.  My next article contains several ideas for how to hold a burial ceremony if you choose this route.

The alternative to burial is to keep your pet’s ashes in an urn in your home.  Many people prefer this option so that their companion animal can remain close to them for years after his or her life in this realm has ended.  In this case, choosing an urn that properly memorializes your pet is very important.

Personalized Pet Urns: A Photographic Memorial

unique pet urns

If you have chosen to remember and honor your pet with a cremation urn, there are a number of styles to consider.  One of these styles is the photographic pet urn.  These urns hold your pet’s ashes and your favorite photo, so that he or she can be memorialized accurately and lovingly.  Some of these urns also offer further personalization, such as an engraved nameplate.

Keepsake Urn in Mahogany

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Peaceful Pet offers this keepsake chest above that is a very affordable option for anyone on a budget.  Made from real mahogany, this piece is durable and intended to last generations.  This is a large cremation urn and will suit even the biggest breed of dog, as the chest has a volume of over 150 cubic inches.  The photo insert is for a 5″ x 3.5″ photograph.

Unique pet urns

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For an elegant touch, this beautiful keepsake chest for your pet above comes with an acrylic medallion that can display a photograph of your pet.  It is available in chestnut or mahogany wood with brass accents, and either 150 or 250 cubic inches in size.

photographic pet urns

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For a more simple urn, these modern-style pet photo box urns above feature a large photo of your pet inside a smooth, wooden urn.  These urns are available in a variety of sizes and several colors including natural (shown), cherry and black finishes.  This urn is a particular favorite of mine because of its simplicity and the focus on the photograph of your departed friend.

Memorial Box Urn for pets
Another affordable option by Peaceful Pet is their Revolving Memorial Box urn above.  This urn showcases five different photos of your beloved dog or cat and can be rotated often so that there is always a fresh memory to cherish.  The memorial box itself sits atop a pedestal that turns, so it is not necessary to over-handle the urn when rotating to view the different photos.  The mahogany finish adds a classy element to this urn, while the photos give it a causal appearance that does not directly imply that it is an urn.  This is the perfect option for those that want to memorialize their pet without having the urn be obvious.

Brushed Nickel Urns for pets

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For those who prefer a metallic finish, K-L Enterprises offers a photo urn in brushed nickel above.  While a little more expensive than other options, this urn is very sleek and sophisticated.  It would go well with almost any home decor, especially on a mantle or in an office or den space.  It features a large space for a photograph that can be changed without disturbing the ashes.  This urn holds 100 cubic inches so it is suitable for most pets, from small to large.

If the photo urn is not quite the memorial you are looking for, there are also more traditional urns available, as well as other modern-style non-photo urns.

Modern Pet Urns

Popular dog urns

Photographic urns and the classic vase-style urns are not for everyone.  Sometimes these options are a little too traditional for every animal lover.  If you’re looking for a more unique way to memorialize your departed pet, there are still a lot of options available.  There are urns out there in lots of shapes, colors and materials that don’t quite fit the norm.

Unique cat urns

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beautiful cat urns

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These two urns are elegant but playful at the same time.  What better way to honor your memory of your cat than with a cat-shaped urn?  Both of these urns are made of durable brass to last for ages and protect your pet’s ashes.  Each has a volume of 35 cubic inches, so these urns are perfect for cats up to 35 pounds.  The urns are available in a brown or a white finish, so you can choose which better represents your personal taste or your cat.

Cat shaped pet urns

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Everyone knows cats have very different personalities.  For the more regal kitty, Star Legacy offers this style of cat-shaped urn.  As elegant as its pouncing counterparts, this cat is a little more distinguished and would look lovely displayed on a mantle or as a keepsake on a shelf.

Expensive pet urns

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This beautiful pewter urn for pets has a very modernized look.  Ashes are contained in the base while the focal point is an interchangeable photo or memorial encapsulated in the glass bell.  This urn would be ideal for an office or den environment.  It is made from pewter and glass and will suit small dogs or cats up to 18 pounds.

cool urns for dogs and cats

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This brass-plated pet urn is the definition of modern.  Its very sleek, silver finish decorated with paw prints will be a fitting memorial to a larger pet; this urn’s volume is 205 cubic inches.  This is one of my favorite pieces in the modern category, as it is unique and can compliment any home’s decor while honoring your lost pet’s memory.

keepsake urns for dogs and cats

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For a more simple style, this large memory chest for pets has enough space to send your pet off with his or her favorite toy, tags, or anything other items your pet loved.  It is made of very durable pewter, has a high luster finish in silver and has a volume of 220 cubic inches.

If modern urns aren’t traditional enough for your tastes, or if you simply prefer something more recognizable as an urn, the following article contains a collection of classic urns that may suit your needs better.

Classic Cat and Dog Urns

Cat urns

If you’ve reviewed my lists of photographic urns and more modern urns and still have not found one that suits you and your pet, perhaps you have more of a traditional taste. I’ve hand-selected several beautiful options for a more classic memorial for your beloved pet.

unusual pet urns for pets

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urns for hunting dogs

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For a traditional urn with a modern finish, UrnsDirect2U offers two styles.  The woodgrain urn and camouflage finishes are perfect for those who liked to spend lots of time outdoors with their pets.  If you and your dog went hunting regularly, or if your cat loved to climb the tree in your yard, these affordable aluminum urns are a nice way to honor their memory.  Volume of 50 cubic inches. This style makes the perfect urn for hunting dog owners.

Metal pet urns

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From the same manufacturer, there is a more elegant pet urn option as well.  This brass urn has a pewter finish with little gold paws wrapping around.  Available in small (80 cubic inches, shown) and large (110 cubic inches)

Pewter urns for pets

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this classic pet urn above could suit almost any size of pet.

Unique urns for cats

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Star Legacy’s urns tend to be more detailed, and this one is no different.  The urn is made of solid brass with a delicate shale finish and cat silhouette inlays.  There are three styles available on their site: sitting kitty [http://www.wayfair.com/Emerald-Green-Feline-Silhouette-Cat-Urn-SL2891P-SLF1128.html], grooming kitty (shown) and standing kitty [http://www.wayfair.com/Sienna-Feline-Silhouette-Cat-Urn-SL2890P-SLF1127.html].  Each of these cat urns holds 30 cubic inches.

copper urns for pets

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This classic pet urn adds a subtle touch with the paw prints on the lid.  It is a low, wide vase style pet urn available in antiqued copper (shown)

silver

Paw Print Pet Urn

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or black below from Star Legacy.  It is also available in several sizes so it could be used for a variety of different breeds or species.

Black urns for dogs and cats

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Ebony Pet Urns for dogs and cats

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For a sleek-but-traditional option, this black marble urn is perfect.  It is an understated yet attractive memorial for a small pet, holding up to 35 cubic inches.

Lotus Heart Pet Urns

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Perhaps the most traditional style of urn included in this list is the Lotus Heart Pet Urn by Star Legacy.  It is an affordable option that is nickel plated and features very intricate engravings all around.  It is also available in small (20 cubic inches, shown), medium and large with varying color themes for each size.

unique pet urns

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For those that want to go all-out for their pets with a more chic memorial, Urns In Style offers three very elegant options that will command attention.  Their Morning Dew and Lotus designs focus on a more spherical shape and depart from the classic vase style while retaining an element of tradition.

Whichever style of urn you choose for your pet, remember that it is his or her memory that is being kept alive.  Honor your pet by relishing your happy memories together, and know that he or she will always be with you at heart.