Mini Keepsake Urns

by Jerri Haaven, Grief Recovery Specialist and Celebrant

Photo by Jerri Haaven

The early days of keepsakes

Following the death of her beloved Prince Albert in 1861, Queen Victoria spent the next 40 years memorializing her husband in unique ways. She ordered custom designed jewelry made from jet, a black gemstone; she wore a ‘mourning ring’ as a public display of her grief until her passing in 1901; and she dressed in black clothing known as “widow weeds.” Little did she know that she “turned many of the peripheral items of mourning into regular fashion,” as stated on the Art of Mourning website. 

When it comes to matters of the heart, Queen Victoria set a new standard of conduct and fashion.

Mini keepsake urns

Increasingly with families spread out around the world, a single display cremation urn may not be practical. Mini keepsake urns and cremation keepsakes are a practical and thoughtful way for families to remember a loved one. Each family member or friend has the option to select a keepsake unique to his or her relationship with the deceased.

According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the practice of cremation vs. traditional burial continues to grow. Cremation is expected to reach 71% as the chosen method of disposition by 2020.

Paralleling the rapid increase of cremation are the choices to remember a loved one in personal and unique ways. The traditional methods of memorializing are to store the ashes of a loved one in an individual urn for placement on a home shelf, to be interred in a columbarium, or buried in a family cemetery plot. Interest, or need, for a companion urn, whereby the ashes of a husband and wife, for example, can be stored independent of one another or mingled in one cremation urn, is also gaining popularity.

Mini keepsake urns and cremation keepsakes

When my father died, in addition to the large urn we used for his burial, my brothers and I also wanted mini keepsake urns that we could each take home. I chose a beautiful heart-shaped urn (pictured above) with the inscription “Going Home” engraved on it; my younger brother selected a Patriotic Urn to remember my dad’s patriotism, and my middle brother selected a brass cremation urn – strong, yet bold. Each of us memorialized our dad in the way that meant the most.

There are countless numbers of keepsake urn styles. No two are identical, and they are created from a variety of different materials: stone, brass, titanium, marble, and sterling silver. For instance, the Classic Radiance Cremation Keepsake reflects a traditional keepsake urn. A large display urn of the same design is also available. This is a nice option if your preference is to keep ashes in several locations, such as a large urn in a columbarium and a smaller keepsake urn at home.

Keepsake urns are small and, as one example, measure three inches high, and one-and-a-half inches wide. They easily fit on most shelves, nightstands, and bureaus. Other unique options include lamps, candleholders, keychains, and even jewelry.

Whatever your special interest, a keepsake urn to fit your heart’s desire is likely available. An additional advantage of keepsake urns is that they are affordable, and fit almost any budget.

Jerri Haaven is a freelance writer, and a certified Grief Recovery Specialist and Celebrant. When caring for her dad, who suffered from dementia and COPD, Jerri struggled with the negative side effects of his illness. She developed positive outlets to express herself and recover from her loss. Today as a certified Grief Recovery Specialist and Celebrant, she uses her skills to help people who are in the midst of their own personal story of grief and loss.