Drop of resin on a spruce*
Urns for human ashes or pet ashes are available in styles to suit almost any taste. Large or small, simple or ornate. Traditional and contemporary cremation urns come in a variety of materials including wood, ceramic, metal, stained glass and more. One material often left out of the mix when it comes to urns for ashes is resin. It is versatile, strong and water-resistant.
What is resin?
Natural resin has been used for thousands of years. In fact, Egyptians used it in the preparation of mummified bodies. It is extracted from trees, and is most often yellowish to brown in color. Natural resin starts out sticky, but over time it hardens. It is soluble in alcohol but not water. It continues to be used today in a variety of ways, from perfume to the treatment of bows for violins. But you won’t find memorial urns made with natural resin.
There are primarily three different types of resins used to make cremation urns:
- artificial resin
- cultured marble
- MDF
Artificial – or synthetic – resin is man-made with materials that resemble the properties of natural resin, but are chemically very different. Synthetic resins fall into two categories: thermoplastic, that remains plastic after heating; and thermosetting which become insoluble and infusible after heating. Garden planters are a popular home product made from synthetic resin. Urns made from this type of resin are strong and when well painted can often look like a wood product.
Cultured marble is a material made from a blend of stone particles and resins. During the manufacture of cultured marble, pigments are added to produce colors including red, green, brown, purple and black. As the name suggests, the pigment can also create natural-looking patterns that will resemble marble. Bathtubs, vanity tops, shower bases and planters are examples of home products made with cultured marble.
MDF (medium density fiberboard) is made from recycled wood fibers and resin. It oftentimes performs better than solid wood. It is more stable and withstands changes to heat and humidity better than natural wood. For that reason, MDF is used in home building products such as interior trim, base and crown molding, door casings, window wraps, and more. MDF is becoming a popular choice for cremation urns, as well.
Choosing a resin cremation urn
When looking for a cremation urn, consider one made with resin depending on purpose of urn, location of urn (which will determine size). For a comprehensive guide to choosing a cremation urn, read our article, “4 Questions to consider when choosing a cremation urn.”
Consider these benefits that resin cremation urns offer:
- They are durable.
- Easy to care for – these are not high maintenance products, and they are easy to clean.
- Unlike glass or ceramic, products made from resin don’t run the risk of chipping. Cremation urns made with resins are significantly less fragile than glass and ceramic urns.
- Easy to personalize – the smooth surface of cremation urns made with resin allow for easy customization with text and/or a symbol.
- Affordable – these products have a lower price tag than those made out of wood, glass or ceramic.
- Lighter in weight – they are relatively light, which makes them easy to move.
- Stain resistant – a cremation urn made with resin won’t stain or absorb elements, and won’t fade by the sun.
MDF cremation urns have the same look and feel as wood, but the material is strong and resistant to warping or cracking. As a result, these products last longer than products made from actual wood. The Craftsman Style Wood cremation urn is a good example. It’s a beautiful piece that looks like wood, but is in fact made with MDF.
Cultured marble urns offer a traditional but elegant look. Although they look like real marble, these urns are considerably less expensive. And they are much lighter in weight.
Resin cremation urns are available in both contemporary and traditional styles. Their popularity continues to soar due to their low-maintenance, durability, and various styles. Pet cremation urns made from resin, such as the Grand Cat cremation urn in black, are also available.
*Image can be found here - http://bit.ly/2rDG47V
Wendy Jacobson is a freelance writer living in Minneapolis with her husband, two kids and dog. She helped market her mother’s book, “Hands Off My Hope: Life Lessons on my Journey with Breast Cancer” at the request of her mom, who died two weeks after publishing it in 2008. She also is the editor of Minneapolis Happening, a digital lifestyle magazine about what’s happening in Minneapolis and the surrounding area.
