It's time to lay your loved one to rest. You want an urn that is going to keep your loved one’s cremated remains safe, dry, and well-protected.
And, of course, you want a beautiful urn.
How do you know which urns are suitable to bury? Can any urn be buried? Will you need a vault?
Continue reading and learn which types of urns are best for permanent burial urns.
What Are Permanent Burial Urns?
A permanent burial urn is an urn designed to be buried in the ground. An urn that will not disintegrate when the soil is placed on top of it.
If you are burying an urn on your private property, there really are no rules to follow. If you have chosen a cemetery, you must obey their rules and regulations.
You can make just about any urn “permanent” by placing it in an urn vault. A cremation urn vault is a sealed outer receptacle that protects the urn from the earth's weight and the cemetery equipment that will drive over it. The vault will also give protection from moisture.
Can All Urns Be Buried?
The short answer is "yes"; all urns can be buried. Keep in mind; most urns will eventually degrade.
Soil and moisture will break down some urns over time.
What Is the Best Material for Permanent Burial Urns?
- Wood
- Ceramic
- Resin
- Marble
- Granite
- Crystal
- Glass
- Stone
- Bronze
- Stainless Steel
As stated earlier, any urn is suitable for burial but some urns need to be placed in a vault before burying.
The weight of the ground will crush crystal, glass, and ceramic urns. Wood urns will decay over time due to the water in the soil. Placing them in a vault would preserve them and make them a “permanent” burial urn.
Most cemeteries require that an urn be placed into a vault if you are planning on ground burial.
Always check with the sexton to find out the regulations on vaults. Learn more about vaults here.
10 Beautiful Permanent Burial Urns
At Urns Northwest, we have a wide selection of urns for you to choose from. Visit the links below to find out which urn will suit your needs.
1. Granite Photo Cremation Urn
You can honor your loved one by including a photo, name, dates, and text on our beautifully crafted Granite Photo Cremation Urn.
Made from cultured granite and including personalization of photo and more, this permanent burial urn is a gorgeous tribute to your loved one.
In most cemeteries, you will not need to place this urn in a vault. The construction of the cultured granite urn will last for many years to come.
2. Legacy Natural Marble Burial Urn
Our Legacy Natural Marble Urn is a stunning way to memorialize your loved one. This gray marble is quarried naturally and hand turned. Every urn is unique. Black veins run through, giving it a classic design. The urn can be personalized with your loved one's name and dates.
Because it is constructed from natural marble, it will last forever. An urn vault will not be needed unless your cemetery requires one.
3. Cedar Wood Cremation Urn
Crafted in Oregon using Eastern Aromatic Cedar Wood, our Cedar Cremation Urn is a minimalist work of art. The amazing wood grain shows through in stunning shades of yellow, orange, and red. You can personalize this urn with your loved one's name and dates.
It is perfectly suitable for burial and should be encased in an urn vault. Placing the Cedar Wood Urn in a vault will help it to last for years to come. If you are burying in a "green" cemetery, no vault would be required.
It is best to always check with your cemetery of choice to find out their regulations.
4. Grecian Marble Urn
Our beautiful cultured Grecian Marble Urn is proudly made in the USA. You may customize this ebony urn with your loved one's name and dates. Your choice of color fill will make the personalization stand out!
The construction of the Grecian Marble Urn will last for eons. You do not need to place this urn in a vault unless instructed by your cemetery.
The Grecian Marble Urn holds 190 cubic inches. The standard adult urn holds 200 cubic inches.
5. Together Again Companion Urn
The Together Again Companion Urn is the perfect memorial to a loving couple. Two sets of cremated remains can be placed inside. Honor a lifelong commitment by placing your loved ones together in a companion urn. Personalize by adding names and dates on top.
A tender depiction of a lifelong commitment now and forever.
For this elegant wooden urn, available in oak or maple, to stand the test of time, place it in an urn vault. Most cemeteries will require a vault.
If this urn is being buried in a "green" cemetery, no vault will be required.
6. Evermore Natural Marble Urn in Champagne
Our Evermore Natural Marble Urn is crafted here in the USA from natural quarried marble and will last beyond the millennium. The tan veining of the marble is unique to each urn. The urn is cut and polished to perfection! Ideal for personalization, add your loved one's name and dates.
There is no reason to place this urn in a vault. It will stand the test of time on its own!
7. Classic Marble Camouflage Urn
Our beautiful cultured Classic Marble Camouflage Urn comes in two sizes; standard and double. This urn is deep green with tan, black, and olive drab veins running through it. You can personalize this timeless urn with your loved one's name and dates.
Constructed from cultured marble, so there is no need for an urn vault. Our cultured marble will stand the test of time.
8. Bury the Ashes & Plant a Tree
Our biodegradable Memorial Tree Urn offers meaningful way to pay tribute to your loved one. Included in the urn is a special mixture to be blended with your loved one's cremains. The flowering cherry seeds will grow into an elegant tree. Year after year, you will be reminded of the beauty that your loved one brought to this earth!
This is a tiny urn with a capacity of 35 cubic inches. If your loved one weighed 175 lbs., you would need to purchase 5 of these biodegradable Memorial Tree Uns. Another idea is to use 1 tree urn and scatter the rest of the cremated remains around the tree.
There are many additional tree seed types available, including Dogwood, Oak, and more. See them all here.
9. Cardinal Cremation Urn with Inlay Art
This Cardinal Cremation Urn with Inlay Art is proudly made in the USA. This decorative wooden urn comes in oak, walnut, mahogany, or maple. You can personalize it with your loved one's name and dates placed on top of the urn.
When you see a cardinal, it is a heaven sent messenger of love!
This urn is perfectly suitable for burial. The Cardinal Cremation Urn with Inlay Art should be placed in an urn vault to keep it from degrading. The vault will protect it, and it will last for generations and generations to come.
10. Natural Marble Companion Urn
Our Natural Marble Companion Urn in green has a double compartment. Because it is made from natural marble, no two are alike. There will be color and veining variations from urn to urn.
This urn is a beautiful tribute to a couple and can be personalized with names and dates.
The Natural Marble Companion Urn may be buried directly in the ground without an urn vault. This urn will last for all time.
More Options
So now you know that you can bury any urn directly into the ground. Many types will require a vault, some are meant to biodegrade in an environmentally-friendly way, while some others can be buried without the need for a vault (specifically, stone urns).
If you decide to go with a vault, here are the very best and most beloved urns from our collection.
Browse those and see if there are any that feel just right for your loved one!