Cremated Remains
What To Do With Cremated Remains
at 7:50 apiece we each get 50% offAfter cremation, families have a wide range of choices for what to do with the remains—far more than many people realize. Some options are traditional, others symbolic or creative, and all come with different legal, practical, and emotional considerations.
This page outlines the most common paths, explains what’s allowed, and helps you choose an option that fits your values, budget, and wishes.
Containers
Cremated remains do not have to be placed in a single “standard” urn. The right container depends on whether the remains will be kept, buried, placed in a niche, scattered, or shared among family members. Options range from simple temporary containers to decorative, biodegradable, or personalized designs.
Urns
Urns come in many materials and styles, including metal, wood, ceramic, stone, glass, and biodegradable materials. Some are meant for display, while others are designed for burial or placement in a columbarium.
You are generally free to buy an urn from any source—not just a funeral home or crematory.
Burial & Placement Containers
Some families choose small casket-style containers or urn vaults for burial or placement in mausoleums or columbaria. Cemeteries and columbaria may have size or material requirements, so check before purchasing.
Scatter Tubes & Temporary Containers
Scatter tubes are lightweight containers intended for scattering ceremonies and are often biodegradable. Crematories also commonly provide a simple temporary container that may be sufficient if the remains will be scattered or buried soon.
💡 Tip: You do not need to buy an expensive urn immediately. Many families use a
temporary container until they decide what feels right.
Shopping Tips
* Prices vary widely, so comparison shopping matters.
* Funeral homes often sell urns at significant markups.
* Online and independent sellers may offer more choices at lower prices.
* Confirm size requirements for cemetery niches or burial plots.
* Biodegradable containers may be required for green burial or some scattering situations.
Scattering Locations
Scattering cremated remains is legal in many places, but the rules depend on location, land ownership, and local regulations.
Cemeteries
Some cemeteries offer designated scattering gardens or cremation plots. See the Cemeteries & Plots section for more information.
At Sea
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulates scattering at sea. In most cases, remains must be scattered at least three nautical miles from shore, and non-biodegradable materials are prohibited.
Private & Public Land
Scattering on private property usually requires the owner’s permission. Public parks, wilderness areas, and protected lands may have additional rules, permit requirements, or restrictions.
Space Memorials
Some companies offer symbolic space memorials that send a small portion of cremated remains into space. These services are specialized, expensive, and subject to federal regulations.
Fireworks Memorials
Specialized providers may incorporate a small amount of cremated remains into fireworks displays. Availability, safety rules, and legality vary by state and provider.
Memorial Objects & Keepsakes
Some families choose to transform a portion of cremated remains into memorial objects or keepsakes. These options can provide a tangible way to remember and stay connected to a loved one.
Glass Art
A small amount of cremated remains is incorporated into glass art such as paperweights, ornaments, marbles, or decorative sculptures.
Jewelry
Remains may be sealed into pendants, rings, bracelets, lockets, or other wearable memorial jewelry.
Memorial Diamonds
Carbon extracted from cremated remains can be used to create laboratory-grown diamonds for jewelry or display.
Artificial Reefs
Some providers mix remains into concrete reef structures placed in the ocean to support marine ecosystems.
Memorial Tattoos
Specialized tattoo artists may incorporate a very small amount of cremated remains into tattoo ink.
Vinyl Records & Artwork
A portion of remains can sometimes be incorporated into custom vinyl records, paintings, ceramics, or other art pieces.
Trees & Planting Memorials
Cremated remains may be mixed with soil or biodegradable planting systems to grow a memorial tree or garden, though large amounts of ashes can affect soil chemistry and may need dilution.
Keepsake Urns
Families sometimes divide remains into smaller keepsake urns so multiple loved ones can each keep a portion.
💡 Note: Most memorial products use only a small portion of the cremated remains,
so families should still decide what they want to do with the remainder.