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Choosing an urn is a decision most families only have to make once in a lifetime — and almost always have to make in a hurry. Of all the questions we receive at STONLIF, the most common is also the most important: what size do I need?
This guide walks you through it, from the simple rule that solves most cases, to the situations where you might want to think a little differently.
The Simple Rule: One Cubic Inch Per Pound
The cremation industry uses a long-standing guideline that makes sizing far easier than it sounds:
The capacity of an urn required prior to cremation is around 1 cubic inch per pound of body weight.
So if someone's body weight was 180 lbs they require approximately 180 cubic inches of urn space. Nearly 220 cubic inches are needed for each 220 lb person.This is a rule that provides a generous margin and is applicable in most cases of adult cremations.
Every STONLIF product page lists exact capacity in cubic inches, so once you know the number, you can shop with confidence.
The Four Main Urn Sizes
Most urns are available in one of four sizes. The first step is often knowing which to select.
Adult Urns (200+ cubic inches).The standard size for one adult's ashes. This is what most families need.
Companion Urns (400+ cubic inches). Specially made to contain the ashes of two persons, most commonly a husband and wife. These are selected when families plan ahead, or when one spouse has died and the family member who remains wants to come back in the future.
Keepsake Urns (3 to 30 cubic inches). Smaller pieces that hold a small portion of ashes. Keepsakes are not meant to hold a full cremation — they're for families who want to share, or who want a small remembrance to keep close.
Infant, Child, and Pet Urns. Sized down for smaller losses. Pet urns in particular are something we make with the same care as our human pieces — the smaller scale reflects the smaller body, not a smaller grief.
When You May Want More Than One
Sometimes a single urn isn't the right answer. Common reasons families choose multiple pieces:
Sharing among siblings. When a parent passes, adult children often want a small keepsake each, alongside a main urn that stays with one of them.
Scattering and keeping. Some families will have a meaningful place, the sea, a garden, etc. to scatter ashes and keep the rest in a piece that they can have.
Burial and display. A family may choose to bury a portion and display another in the home.
In any of these cases, a main urn paired with one or more keepsakes is the usual answer. Our 4-piece antique keepsake set was designed specifically for this — four matching small urns for families to share.
A Quick Sizing Reference
- Up to 130 lbs — 130+ cubic inches
- 130 to 180 lbs — 180+ cubic inches
- 180 to 220 lbs — 220+ cubic inches
- Over 220 lbs — Companion size, or oversized adult capacity
This is a rough starting point. If your loved one's weight fell near the edge of a range, we always recommend sizing up — a piece that's slightly large is far better than one that's slightly small.
Still Unsure?
If you're not sure which size is right — or if your situation doesn't fit any of these neatly — please write to us. Send the weight, any plans you have for the ashes, and we'll recommend a piece that feels right.
Email: contact@stonlif.com
We respond within two business days, and there's never any pressure to buy. We'd rather you choose the piece that's right than the piece you're rushed into.
