Keepsake Urns & Mini Urns

A keepsake urn is a small urn designed to hold a portion of a person's ashes rather than all of the cremated remains. Keepsake urns are also sometimes called mini urns, small urns for ashes, sharing urns or keepsakes for ashes

These smaller memorials can be used on their own or alongside a larger cremation urn. Families often choose keepsake urns for ashes when cremated remains are being shared, or when they want to keep a small portion after the rest have been scattered, buried or placed in another urn.

Capacity varies by design. Some keepsake urns hold only a few cubic inches of ashes, while others hold up to 50 cubic inches. Because a keepsake urn is intended to hold only a portion of an adult's cremated remains, it should not be assumed to hold all of the ashes.

If you are comparing small urns or keepsake urns for human ashes, check the cubic-inch capacity listed on each product page. The capacity will tell you more than the outside dimensions or size name alone.

Keepsake urns give families flexibility in deciding how and where to keep cremated remains. They may be chosen so children, siblings or other loved ones can each keep a portion of the ashes, especially when family members live in different homes or different parts of the country.

Their smaller size also makes these cremation keepsakes easier to place somewhere personal, such as a mantel, bookshelf, bedside table or memorial display. Some families keep a keepsake alongside photographs or other belongings that remind them of the person they lost.

Keepsakes for ashes can also be used when most of the cremated remains will be scattered, buried or placed in a larger urn, but a small portion will remain. Families may choose matching memorial keepsakes or select different designs that reflect each person's own memories and relationship with their loved one.

A funeral home or crematory can often divide cremated remains into a main urn and one or more keepsake urns if requested. If you would like them to handle this for you, it is helpful to ask before collecting the ashes so you can discuss how many keepsakes you plan to fill and how much each one holds.

Families can also divide and transfer ashes themselves. How the ashes are placed inside depends on the style of keepsake. Traditional metal keepsake urns often have a threaded lid that screws on and off. Heart-shaped and other sculptural cremation keepsakes may have a smaller threaded opening on the back or bottom, sometimes opened with a coin or included tool. Wooden keepsake boxes may have a removable or sliding panel, while some ceramic and decorative keepsakes open from the top or through a panel on the base.

With a wider opening, a small portion of ashes can usually be placed inside a securely closed bag. A small urn for ashes with a narrow opening may need to be filled carefully with a small funnel. Once filled, threaded lids or plugs are screwed back into place, and panels are replaced and secured.

For more guidance, see our step-by-step guide to transferring ashes into an urn.

Yes. You do not have to choose only one way to care for cremated remains. A small portion can be kept in a keepsake urn while the remainder is scattered, buried, placed in a larger cremation urn or divided among other family members.

This is one reason families choose cremation keepsakes for ashes: they can retain a small memorial even when most of the ashes have another final resting place.

If you plan to scatter or bury ashes, check the requirements of the cemetery, property or location beforehand, as rules can vary.

The primary difference is capacity. A keepsake urn holds a relatively small portion of ashes and is commonly chosen for sharing, keeping a portion after scattering or burial, or placing a memorial somewhere personal in the home.

A small urn generally holds more than a keepsake and may be appropriate when a smaller-than-standard urn is needed. Because urn size names are not standardized, compare the cubic-inch capacity rather than relying on terms such as "small" or "mini."

Cremation jewelry holds a much smaller, often symbolic amount of ashes inside a pendant or other wearable piece.

If you prefer to start with the widest selection, browse our full collection of cremation urns for human ashes before narrowing your choice by size, material or design.