When you lose a loved one, one of the most important aspects of organising their cremation is choosing an urn. Urns hold the cremated remains (also known as ‘ashes’ or ‘cremains’) of the deceased and serve as the perfect memorial of their life when displayed in the home. If someone very close to you has passed or you’re in the unfortunate position of having lost two loved ones, you may want to consider opting for a companion urn.
What Is a Companion Urn?
Companion urns (also known as ‘double urns’) are urns which are made to hold the cremated remains of two people. They’re most commonly used by married couples, but any two people can share a companion urn. Companion urns are usually identical to traditional urns in every way except size, as these containers need to be large enough to hold two adults.
If you’re unsure whether a companion urn is the right choice for your loved one or loved ones, keep reading.
Are Companion Urns Affordable?
As with all cremation containers, companion urns vary in price depending on their design and construction. However, if you’re concerned about affordability, a companion urn is usually the most inexpensive option, as a single large urn will be cheaper than two standard-sized urns of the same type.
Will the Remains of Both People Be Mixed or Separated?
The beauty of companion urns is that they’re very versatile. Whether the cremated remains are kept separate or commingled (meaning ‘mixed’) is entirely up to you.
If you would prefer to keep the remains divided (for example, if you follow Roman Catholicism, which doesn’t allow commingling), there are two main ways to achieve this. The first is to buy a companion urn with a divider; some urns have removable dividers, while others are permanently built-in.
The second method is to keep the remains in two separate bags which are placed side by side in a large companion urn. Cremated remains will often be returned to you in a plastic bag that you can use for this purpose. Bags also offer a second layer of protection for your loved one’s remains and allow for easy transfer if more remains will be added to the companion urn at a later date.
If you would prefer to commingle the ashes, this can be done by yourself or by your chosen funeral home. The ashes can either be placed directly into the companion urn or they can be commingled in a protective bag which is placed inside the urn.
Can Companion Urns Be Inscribed?
Many people avoid companion urns because they believe they cannot be inscribed if only one half of the pair has passed away. In reality, this is not the case. There are many ways in which a companion urn can be inscribed when it will temporarily hold only the remains of one individual.
The first option is to inscribe the companion urn with the date of the couple’s wedding rather than the dates of each individual’s passing. Each person’s date of birth can also be added if this is desired.
Alternatively, you may choose to have the urn engraved with the number of years the couple was married prior to the first individual passing away.
Finally, some may choose to refrain from adding dates altogether, instead inscribing the urn with the names of the two individuals (and, possibly, a heartfelt quote or message). This is a good choice for companion urns for unmarried pairs.
Whether you choose to use a companion urn or two separate urns, Cremations Only is here to provide respectful, dignified and compassionate funeral direction services for you and your family. Contact us online or by phone for a more information or a no obligations quote.