Keepsake Urns and Small Urns for Ashes

What Are Keepsake Urns?

A keepsake urn is a small cremation urn that holds a token amount of ashes rather than the full remains. Most keepsake urns hold between 1 and 50 cubic inches, compared to the 200 cubic inches of a standard adult urn. Families use small urns for human ashes in several ways: as a personal memorial kept at home, as a way to divide remains among multiple family members, or as a companion piece alongside a full-size urn that holds the rest.

Because keepsake urns are small, they fit easily on a nightstand, bookshelf, mantel, or desk — keeping your loved one close without requiring dedicated display space. Many families purchase a set of mini urns for ashes so that siblings, children, or close friends can each carry a portion of the remains. For guidance on whether dividing ashes is appropriate for your family, see our article on whether it is wrong to separate cremated ashes.

Keepsake Urns by Material

Small urns for ashes come in the same range of materials as full-size cremation urns. The material you choose affects both the look and the durability of your keepsake urn.

Metal keepsake urns are our most popular category. Available in brass, stainless steel, aluminum, and silver-toned finishes, metal urns are durable and come in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and engravable surfaces. Many of our mini urns for ashes feature hand-applied enamel designs over a metal base.

Glass keepsake urns are hand blown by American artisans into teardrops, orbs, and other sculptural shapes. Each glass urn is one of a kind. Our blown glass mini urns make striking display pieces and catch light beautifully.

Stone keepsake urns are carved from natural onyx, alabaster, and marble. Because each stone is unique, no two small stone urns are exactly alike. These are substantial, weighty pieces that feel solid in the hand.

Wood keepsake urns are crafted from cherry, walnut, oak, and other hardwoods. A small wood urn offers natural warmth and can be personalized with laser engraving for names, dates, or a short message.

Ceramic keepsake urns include handmade pottery, porcelain, and Raku-fired pieces. A small ceramic urn offers artisan craftsmanship and organic textures you will not find in metal or stone.

Popular Keepsake Urn Styles

Beyond material, small urns come in a variety of shapes and themes to reflect the personality of your loved one:

Heart-shaped keepsake urns are one of our most popular styles. Available in brass, stone, and glass, a heart urn is a meaningful symbol of love and remembrance — especially for a spouse, parent, or child.

Keepsake urn sets include multiple small urns for ashes packaged together at a lower per-unit price. Sets are ideal for families who want to share remains among several loved ones. Most sets include 4 to 6 matching mini urns.

Hourglass keepsake urns are a distinctive option we are known for. Crafted from natural granite and onyx, our hourglass urns hold a small portion of ashes in a functional hourglass you can turn and display. These are available in several stone colors and sizes.

Themed keepsake urns honor a life well-lived. We carry small urns featuring angels, butterflies, hummingbirds, sports teams, military insignia, and dozens of other motifs. For more ideas, see our guide to hobby and themed urns.

How to Choose a Small Urn for Ashes

Selecting the right keepsake urn comes down to a few practical considerations:

Size. Keepsake urns range from under 1 cubic inch up to about 50 cubic inches. If you plan to share ashes among several people, smaller urns in the 1 to 5 cubic inch range work well. If this will be the primary memorial (with the rest of the ashes scattered or buried), a larger small urn in the 25 to 50 cubic inch range may be more appropriate. For detailed sizing help, see our urn sizing guide.

Closure type. Most mini urns seal with a threaded lid or a friction-fit stopper. Threaded lids offer a more secure seal, which matters if the urn will be handled frequently or transported. Some families prefer a small urn for ashes with a bottom-loading design that keeps the opening hidden.

Display vs. travel. If the keepsake urn will sit on a shelf at home, appearance is the priority. If you plan to travel with it, look for a compact, durable design. For air travel, check our complete urn buying guide for TSA guidelines on carrying cremated remains.

Personalization. Many keepsake urns can be engraved with a name, dates, or a short inscription. Engraved nameplates can also be added to almost any small urn in our collection. For inspiration, see our urn engraving ideas guide.

Keepsake Urns vs. Full-Size Urns

The main difference between a keepsake urn and a full-size cremation urn is capacity. A standard adult cremation urn holds approximately 200 cubic inches — enough for all of one person's cremated remains. A keepsake urn holds a fraction of that, typically 1 to 50 cubic inches.

Many families use both: a full-size urn as the primary vessel and one or more keepsake urns to share with family members or keep in a separate location. If you are deciding between the two, our article on keepsake urns vs. full-size urns walks through the considerations in detail.

Free Shipping on Every Keepsake Urn

Every small urn for ashes at Memorials.com ships free within the continental United States. Expedited 2-day and overnight options are available if you need your keepsake urn quickly. If you have questions about sizing, material, or which mini urn is right for your situation, our customer service team is here to help by phone or email.