Today’s urns and cremation containers are made from a variety of materials, and they can be as unique as the family of the deceased desires. If you have chosen to store your loved one’s cremated remains in an urn for display, it’s vital that you learn how to care for and maintain an urn to ensure its longevity. In this guide, we evaluate urn maintenance and care by material to help you get started.

Urn Care by Material

Modern-day urns are usually made of ceramic, glass, marble, metal, or wood materials. We outlined best practices in urn maintenance by material type to make the process of preserving an urn easier than ever before.

Ceramic: Store your ceramic urn in a space far away from foot traffic to prevent it from accidentally toppling or shattering. Ceramic is very fragile and should be situated on a sturdy shelf or tabletop. Using a soft dry cloth, gently wipe away any excess dirt or dust from the exterior surface. Avoid using water, as it can damage the ceramic surface.

Glass or Marble: Store your glass or marble urn in a safe space without much traffic. From time to time, gently clean the exterior surface with a quality glass cleaning solution or a chemical-free cleaner. Avoid using acid-based liquids, because they can break down the material. As with other materials, you can remove dust and dirt over time by using a soft cloth. You can use water to clean glass and marble, but it’s important to dry the urn completely.

Metal: Store your metal urn in a dry, safe space away from direct sunlight. Sun exposure can warp metal materials over time. Humidity can cause metal urns to rust, so you should avoid using a damp cloth to clean your urn. Gently wipe the exterior surface with a dry cotton cloth to remove dirt and dust.

Wood: Store your wood urn in a space without direct sunlight. Over time, overexposure to the sun can cause wood tones to fade. UV-resistant coatings can slow this process, but exposure can still permanently affect the look of a wood urn. Wood can dry out or crack over time. To clean your urn, gently wipe the outer surface of the urn with a dry soft cloth to remove dirt and dust. Every one to three months, you should polish the exterior surface to preserve the shine. You should never use harsh chemicals or water, as these can cause the wood material to break down.

If you have any questions about our guide to urn care, please contact OneWorld Memorials today to learn more. We offer a wide variety of urns to suit any need or budgetary restriction. Shop from our selection today to find a beautiful urn for yourself or your loved one.