Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What type of cremation urn do I need?
A:
The answer to this question depends of what you intend to do with the ashes. Basically, there are four options:

  1. 1. Keep all of the ashes in a single cremation urn. Most of the urns we sell are large enough to contain all of the ashes of a single adult. Some selections are large enough for two adults, known as companion urns. 
  2. 2. Share some of the ashes with family or friends. Many families purchase a full-size cremation urn, but choose to pass along some of the ashes to family and friends in multiple smaller "keepsake urns" or "cremation jewelry." 
  3. 3. Scatter some or all ashes in a favorite place. Another option is scattering some or all of the ashes in their loved one's favorite place. We sell specialized scattering urns designed for dignified and convenient transport and scattering of ashes. 
  4. 4. Perform a biodegradable burial on land or water. An environmentally friendly alternative: biodegradable urns are created using natural materials including paper, natural clays, wood and water-soluble non-toxic paints. They are environmentally friendly and or decompose naturally. Some are designed to break down slowly over time when placed into the earth. Other earth urns or burial at sea urns are designed to dissolve in minutes when placed into a body of water.

Q: What size cremation urn do I need?
A: It depends upon what you intend to do with the ashes. The cremated remains are composed of calcium and have the consistency of coarse beach sand. If you plan on purchasing an urn to fit all the ashes, you would need an urn that is approximately 200 cubic inches in size, for an average size adult. Each pound of body weight will translate into approximately one cubic inch of cremated remains, so a 200-pound person would require a 200-cubic-inch urn. If you choose to scatter ashes, but keep a bit for memorialization, you might choose a keepsake urn, which can be any size you prefer.

Q: I need my urn in just a few days for the ceremony. Can you ship right away?
A: Some of the cremation urns we offer are available for immediate shipping. Just call us at 1-877-996-URNS (8767) or email at service@memorialgallery.com to find out if the cremation urn is available immediately. The labor intensive process necessary to create these works of funerary art are not conducive to rapid production and some require one or two weeks, or more, of dedicated time to create. 

Q: How do I get the ashes into the cremation urn?
A: Your funeral home can provide this service for you, usually for a nominal fee. If you'd like we can ship the urn directly to the funeral home, or we can ship directly to you and you can pass it along to the funeral home. It is illegal for funeral homes to refuse to transfer ashes if the urn was not purchased from them. By law, funeral homes cannot require that all products and services be purchased from them. Alternative ash transfer methods include taking the ashes to another funeral home, making the transfer yourself or having a friend or relative perform the transfer. Ashes come in a plastic bag, within a plastic box from the funeral home and one can transfer the plastic bag from one cremains container to another fairly easily, usually without removing the ashes form the urn.

Q: What should be considered when placing a cremation urn or funeral urn in a columbarium or niche?
A: Columbariums and niches vary widely. You should check with the columbarium or niche manager to make sure that the cremation urn you choose will fit within the space and meet any other requirement they may have. Many columbarium or niche managers will not permit cremation urns and funeral urns made of certain materials, such as wood, so make sure the urn you purchase meets their requirements.

Q: Where can cremation urns be shipped?
A: We ship cremation jewelry and cremation urns all over the world. All of our cremation urns are available for international shipping. We regularly ship cremation jewelry, cremation urns and biodegradable urns to Canada, the UK and elsewhere at the rates UPS, USPS & Fed ex charge. We are not responsible for any customs or duties fees imposed. Any of our cremation urns can be shipped to you or the funeral home where the ashes are then transferred into the cremation urn or cremation jewelry. Because we ship cremation urns and cremation jewelry all over the United States, Canada, and across the Atlantic, we have very low shipping rates and pass that onto you. If you order an item which requires you to mail the ashes to an artists, as is the case with our memory pendants or memory glass, we ship a collection kit to you. Our vendors reserve the right to select the shipping vendor of their choice.

Q: What is the cost to ship cremation jewelry internationally?
A: Use the shipping calculator in shopping cart to generate shipping quote.

Q: How do I collect and submit fingerprints, handprints or footprints?
A: There are several ways to collect prints. You may use an inkless print capture system, ink pad on white paper or take a high resolution digital photo of a print from a birth certificate or other identification that uses fingerprint or footprints. For ink pad and plain white paper- black ink works best. Select the area of the finger that is the most interesting- ink this area. Practice taking prints on blank white paper- lightly touch the inked surface twice and then press onto paper. Use more of a tapping motion than a rolling one. For handprints or footprints, ink and tap onto white paper. Next, take a high resolution digital photo of the best print. For best results, make sure there is good lighting and sharp focus while filling the frame as much as possible without cutting the print off. Submit your print file in JPG format by using the upload feature of the desired product or email to service@memorialgallery.com with Order Number included.