How to Fill Your Cremation Urn
Tips on handling cremains
- When you receive the cremains from the crematory, they will come sealed in a container such as a plastic bag in a cardboard or plastic box.
- Filling a keepsake urn is a simple procedure. However, if it is emotionally daunting, please consult your funeral home, friends or other family members to help out.
- Cremains are sterile and do not pose health risks. However, when handling very fine cremains, we recommend wearing a mask.
Instructions for filling your cremation urn
1. Items needed
Cremains, keepsake urns, clean cloth, working surface (newspaper or large plastic bag), funnel (piece of paper and scissor) and glue (if you wish to permanently seal the urn).
2. Clean your urns
Before filling your keepsake urns, please wipe clean the surface and opening of the urns using a clean cloth to remove any debris or dust particles.
3. Prepare a working surface
To avoid spilling the cremains, prepare a working surface using a newspaper or work directly over the plastic bag containing the cremains.
4. Prepare a funnel
Prepare a funnel by rolling up a paper. Please ensure the opening at the bottom of the funnel is large enough for the cremains to flow through and small enough to fit inside the urn’s opening.
Here’s a link to a short Youtube video - How to make a simple funnel out of paper.
5. Fill your urns
Scoop up cremains using the funnel and slowly fill the urns. Each urn will take about 3-4 tablespoons (3-4 cubic inches) of cremains. Please ensure to leave room for the lid to screw close.
6. Seal your urns
If you wish to permanently seal the urn, close the lid almost completely, apply small amount of epoxy resin glue (Amazon) to the thread, then quickly shut the lid completely. It is very important to not let the glue dry before completely closing the lid.
We also recommend using a regular silicone caulk (Amazon), which will allow you to re-open the urn if needed in the future.