When a loved one is cremated, the ashes are returned to the family in a container provided by the crematorium. For some families, this temporary container is all that is needed. For others, a permanent urn is chosen as a lasting vessel to hold and protect the remains.
Understanding the difference between temporary containers and permanent urns can help families in British Columbia make the right decision during an emotional and difficult time.
What Is a Temporary Container?
After cremation, ashes are placed in a temporary container, also known as a “basic” or “standard” container. This is usually provided as part of the cremation process.
Features of Temporary Containers
- Material: Most are made of lightweight cardboard, plastic, or fiberboard.
- Design: Simple, functional, and not decorative.
- Purpose: Primarily intended to transport ashes from the crematorium to the family.
- Size: Sufficient to hold the full volume of ashes for an adult.
In Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, and across the Lower Mainland, crematoriums often include this container at no additional cost, ensuring families have a secure way to receive the remains immediately after cremation.
What Is a Permanent Urn?
A permanent urn is a vessel specifically designed to hold cremated remains long-term. Unlike temporary containers, urns are chosen for their durability, symbolism, and aesthetic qualities.
Features of Permanent Urns
- Material: Options include wood, metal, marble, stone, ceramic, or biodegradable materials.
- Design: Available in many styles, from simple and traditional to modern and artistic.
- Durability: Built to last if kept indoors, placed in a columbarium, or buried in a cemetery.
- Symbolism: Families often select urns that reflect the personality, values, or legacy of their loved one.
Permanent urns are not just containers—they often become meaningful memorial objects within a family home or memorial site.
Key Differences Between Temporary Containers and Permanent Urns
While both serve the purpose of holding ashes, their differences are significant.
Function
- Temporary container: Short-term storage and transportation.
- Permanent urn: Long-term preservation or display.
Appearance
- Temporary container: Plain and utilitarian.
- Permanent urn: Designed with care, often decorative and symbolic.
Durability
- Temporary container: Not meant to withstand time, weather, or handling.
- Permanent urn: Made to last, whether indoors or outdoors.
When to Use a Temporary Container
Many families in BC initially receive ashes in a temporary container. In some cases, this is all that is required:
- Before a scattering ceremony: If the ashes will be scattered soon after cremation, a temporary container may be sufficient.
- If transferring ashes abroad: Temporary containers are often lighter and easier to manage during travel.
- When families need more time: Some prefer to keep the remains in the temporary container while they decide on a permanent memorial option.
When to Choose a Permanent Urn
Families often select a permanent urn when they want to preserve ashes in a meaningful or lasting way:
- For home memorials: Displaying ashes in a chosen spot within the home.
- For columbarium placement: Cemeteries or memorial gardens often require urns for niche placement.
- For burial: Urns can be interred in cemetery plots, sometimes with urn vaults for protection.
- For heirlooms or keepsakes: Some urns are designed as miniature keepsakes for multiple family members.
Cultural and Emotional Considerations
In Vancouver and across British Columbia, families often come from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. For some, keeping ashes in a decorative urn within the home honors tradition. For others, selecting a biodegradable urn allows them to return their loved one’s remains to nature.
The choice between a temporary container and a permanent urn is not only practical but also deeply personal, often reflecting cultural values, spiritual beliefs, and emotional needs.
Questions to Ask When Deciding
Families may wish to ask themselves the following before making a decision:
- Do we plan to scatter, keep, or bury the ashes?
- Do we want a vessel that reflects our loved one’s personality or values?
- Will the ashes be divided among family members, requiring multiple urns or keepsakes?
- Is a biodegradable option appropriate for our wishes?
Final Thoughts
Temporary containers and permanent urns both serve important roles in the cremation process.
Temporary containers provide a practical and immediate solution, while permanent urns offer families in Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, and beyond a lasting way to honor and preserve their loved one’s memory.
The decision comes down to how families wish to keep, scatter, or memorialize the ashes. By understanding the differences between these two options, grieving families can make choices that feel both practical and meaningful.