Using Urns To Dispose of Cremated Remains at a Cemetery

A crematory typically delivers the cremated remains of a loved one in a temporary container. Family members then choose whether to scatter the ashes, keep the remains at home, or store them at a cemetery. If home display or cemetery storage is selected, an urn is typically purchased to serve as a permanent container. There are several ways to store urns at a cemetery.

Many cemeteries have designated areas where ashes may be scattered. Cremated remains may also be buried in a cemetery plot. Some cemeteries have urn gardens designated for the storage of cremated remains while others offer mausoleums with niches featuring glass or solid fronts on which the name of the individual and dates of birth and death may be engraved.

If a cemetery is selected for permanent disposition of cremated remains, consult the rules and regulations of the facility to learn what is permitted. A cemetery may limit the memorialization and number of interments in a plot or grave. Cemeteries charge different fees for interment and memorialization and many require an individual purchasing a plot to designate whether cremation interment is anticipated.

Discussing the regulations with the cemetery in advance prevents selection of an inappropriate urn or accompanying memorial. The goal is to find an acceptable container within budget and store the remains in a manner with which the deceased and surviving loved ones would feel comfortable. There are many styles of urns including those designed to retain a portion of remains after the majority are scattered.

After purchasing a suitable urn and making arrangements with the cemetery, think about whether a formal memorial ceremony is desirable. Many families choose to have a brief ceremony offsite while others hold it at the cemetery prior to storage. Consider how the deceased would best like to be remembered and act accordingly.