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Calculating the Urn Size & Amount of Ashes
How Big Should an Urn Be?
According to the Cremation Association of North America (CANA), an adult cremation urn size for ashes measurement should be around 200 cubic inches. This can vary depending on factors such as the person's height and bone density.
Cremation urn capacity is measured in cubic inches, where a cubic inch is defined as a cube that is 1" long, 1" wide, and 1" deep. Most standard adult urns typically have an interior capacity of about 200 cubic inches, while "companion urns" (intended for two people) usually hold around 400 cubic inches.
A 200 cubic inch cremation urn is considered the industry standard size for an adult urn, accommodating the remains of nearly all adults. However, exceptions may occur due to atypical bone density, large-framed bodies, variations in cremation processes, pins, or implants from surgeries. Despite these factors, the general rule of thumb is effective in most cases.
The common guideline suggests that one pound of body weight equals one cubic inch of cremated remains. This principle is also the basis for our urn size calculator, which makes it easy to calculate urn volume. The formula can be summarized as follows:
1 lb body weight = 1 cubic inch of remains
For example, a 175 lbs individual would need a 175 cubic inch urn. While variations exist, this calculation generally holds true since the volume of remains is often slightly less than the individual's body weight.
Measuring Cremated Ashes
To accurately measure the remains, it’s easiest to place the plastic bag that contains the ashes into a box with flat sides. A cardboard box works well, and typically the remains will already be packaged in a plastic "temporary" urn box.
Measure the height, width, and depth (in inches) of the ashes as they rest in the box. Then, multiply these dimensions together to determine the total volume in cubic inches. For instance, if the box measures 8" by 6", and the remains fill it to a height of 3.75", you would calculate 180 cubic inches (8 x 6 x 3.75 = 180).
