Finding the Right Size
Small and medium cremation urns come in a range of capacities, materials and styles, giving you options for both the amount of ashes you wish to keep and the kind of memorial that feels right for the person you are remembering.
When choosing a cremation urn, the most important thing is making sure it will hold the amount of ashes you plan to keep. Small and medium urns can vary in capacity, so the size name alone does not always tell you how much an urn will hold.
Each product page lists the urn's capacity in cubic inches to help you compare options and choose the right fit.
If you plan to place all of the cremated remains in one urn, a common rule of thumb is to allow at least one cubic inch of capacity for each pound of body weight before cremation. If you are keeping only part of the ashes, you can choose a smaller capacity based on the amount you intend to keep.
Our guide to choosing a cremation urn offers more help with urn sizing and other considerations.
A Memorial That Feels Personal
Choosing a smaller urn does not mean you have to compromise on style or meaning. Small urns for ashes are available in classic metal finishes, ceramic, marble and stone, as well as more artistic and decorative designs.
If color and artistry are important to you, explore our stained glass cremation urns. For a familiar symbol of love, you may prefer a heart-shaped urn.
Many small cremation urns can also be personalized with a name, dates or a short message, creating a memorial that feels even more connected to your loved one. You can learn more in our engraving and personalization guide.
Other Ways to Find the Right Memorial
Sometimes it is easier to begin with the person or pet you are remembering rather than with urn size.
If you are choosing a memorial for a baby or child, explore our infant and child cremation urns. For a dog, cat or other companion animal, our pet urns include designs created specifically with pets in mind.
You can also browse cremation urns for women and mothers or cremation urns for men, dads and fathers if choosing around the person you remember feels like a more natural place to start.
If you would like to compare more materials, sizes and styles, browse our full collection of memorial urns.
FAQs
What size is a small cremation urn?
There is no single capacity that defines every small cremation urn. Sizes can vary by design, so the best way to know whether an urn will work for you is to check its capacity in cubic inches.
If you are unsure, start with the amount of ashes you plan to keep rather than the words small or medium.
How do I know what capacity urn I need?
If the urn will hold all of the cremated remains, a common guideline is to choose at least one cubic inch of capacity for each pound of body weight before cremation. For example, someone who weighed 80 pounds would generally require an urn with at least 80 cubic inches of capacity.
If you plan to keep only a portion of the ashes, you may need considerably less capacity.
Can a small urn hold all of an adult's ashes?
In some cases, yes. It depends on both the capacity of the urn and the amount of cremated remains.
Many adults require a standard full-size urn, commonly around 200 cubic inches, while a smaller adult may require less. Comparing the person's approximate weight before cremation with the capacity listed on the product page is the best way to determine whether a particular urn will be large enough.
What is the difference between a small and medium cremation urn?
There is no universal dividing line between small and medium cremation urns. Their capacities can overlap, so an urn described as medium may hold a similar amount to another described as small.
For that reason, it is more useful to compare the capacity in cubic inches when deciding which urn will suit your needs.
Can small cremation urns be personalized?
Many can. Depending on the design, personalization may include direct engraving or an engraved plaque, pendant or base with a name, dates or short memorial message.
Check the individual product page to see which personalization options are available for the urn you are considering.
How much does a small urn cost?
The price of a small cremation urn varies depending on its material, design, craftsmanship and personalization. Simple metal or ceramic urns may cost less than more intricate stone, artisan or decorative designs.
Current pricing and available personalization options are shown on each product page.
What if I only want an urn for a very small amount of ashes?
If you want to keep only a small portion of cremated remains, a keepsake or mini urn may be a better fit. Keepsake urns are specifically designed to hold a tiny amount of ashes and are generally much smaller than the urns in this collection.
Can a small urn be used for pet ashes?
Yes. The same basic sizing principle applies: the urn simply needs enough capacity for the amount of ashes you wish to keep.
If you are looking for a memorial designed specifically for a dog, cat or other companion animal, you may also want to explore our pet memorials.
