10 Decorative Wooden Urns For Your Mantel

(Many of the links in this article redirect to a specific reviewed product. Your purchase of these products through affiliate links helps to generate commission for Storables.com, at no extra cost. Learn more)

When you lose a loved one, the grief that follows can be overwhelming. As you come to terms with your loss, it’s natural to contemplate ways to commemorate their lives and keep their memory alive. One way to do this is by choosing a final resting place for their ashes. If you’re on the same page, a decorative wooden urn is an ideal and more sustainable way to take care of your loved one’s cremated remains.

What Is a Wooden Urn?

A wooden urn is a specifically designed vessel ideal for those who want to honor their loved ones and keep their ashes in the comfort of their own home. These memorial urns are made from various wooden materials to protect the insides from moisture and other elemental damage, keeping the ashes dry and safe for years to come.

These urns come in various shapes and sizes and can be customized with photos, artwork, or other mementos to make them even more meaningful. They are also a more eco-friendly way to take care of the remains of your loved ones compared to their plastic and brass counterparts.

What Are the Best Wood for Wooden Urns?

There are a variety of woods that can be used to create wooden urns. The type of wood to choose should depend on the look you’re going for and the cost. Here are some popular choices:

Mango Wooden Urn

As the name suggests, this wooden urn is crafted from mango trees. Mango trees yield delicious fruit and offer sturdy, durable, and elegant-looking wood. The wood is rich in texture and has smooth curves, lending itself well to highlight unique wood grain patterns for creating urns. The final product produces a rainbow of hues with a beautiful golden brown tint, making it an ideal choice for people who want their cremation urns to match the décor of their home.

Maple Wooden Urn

Generations of Americans have relied on maple to make furniture. It is easy to see why because of the wood’s durability and beauty. It is also relatively inexpensive. Maple wood has a warm brown color, beautiful grain patterns, and a smooth finish. In addition, the wood is relatively dense, making it a good choice for urns that need to be sturdy.

Oak Wooden Urn

Oak is a popular choice for urns because it’s a durable material that is resistant to damage from insects and mold. It is a leading material in furniture manufacturing so it is no surprise that it has become a frequent wood sort in cremation urns. This wood is also resistant to changes in temperature and humidity, making it an ideal choice for storage. Moreover, oakwood has an attractive finish that reveals a beautiful grain pattern when stained, making it an excellent material for a memorial urn.

Amaranth Wooden Urn

Amaranth, commonly known as purpleheart or violet wood, is a hardwood found in the Southern and Central parts of America. As the name implies, this type of wood usually has a luscious purple tone that deepens to a rich reddish-brown color over time, with a medium to coarse grain. It is known for its durability and resistance to decay and insects, making it a popular choice for urn manufacturing.

Pine Wooden Urn

Pine has been used for centuries as a building material and furniture source. It is also a popular choice for urn manufacturing because it’s lightweight, easy to work with, and can be finished in many different ways. This medium-density softwood is free of holes, knots, and streaks, making it perfect for an urn that is meant to be displayed. It also has a fine to medium grain and a very smooth finish.

Walnut Wooden Urn

Walnut is a hardwood that is commonly used for making furniture and cabinetry. It has a fine to medium texture, with light brown streaks usually found in the sapwood, and is known to darken over time. This type of wood also has a lovely grain pattern that, when stained or painted, can be made more visible to add an extra touch of style. In addition, it is durable and easy to work with, making it a popular choice for urn manufacturers.

Rosewood Wooden Urn

Rosewood is a dense hardwood that comes in a variety of colors. It is used for making fine furniture, cabinets, and musical instruments. It has a straight grain with a varying texture from medium to fine. It also has an interlocking grain pattern that makes it easy to finish and polish and is resistant to splitting and warping due to humidity changes. However, rosewood is quite expensive, so it’s usually only used for high-end products such as urns or jewelry boxes.

Factors To Consider in a Wooden Urn For Your Mantel

Deciding on a wooden urn for your loved one’s ashes is a big decision. Some factors should be considered as you go about your selection process. These include:

Color and Finish

Color is essential in choosing the perfect wooden urn for your loved one, especially if you’re putting it on display. Some materials, such as cedar and mahogany, can have a more reddish tone, while others, such as cherry and walnut, are more yellow-toned. Considering these factors will allow you to customize the urn to match your deceased loved one’s characteristics or physical traits, such as hair or eye color. It can even serve as an accent piece for your mantel or match your home’s decor.

Size and Weight

The size of the urn will depend on how much you want to display your loved one’s ashes. If you want to keep all of them with you, a larger urn may be appropriate. Otherwise, a smaller one may work better, especially if you have other family members who want to have a piece of the deceased loved one’s memory, too.

When choosing an urn for your mantel, you want to ensure that the urn is not too heavy. The additional weight of the ashes, later on, can be too much for your mantel or fireplace, leading to damage or cracks. It also needs to be large enough to house all of the ashes. A good rule of thumb is to get an urn that weighs between 5 and 10 pounds, depending on the size of the ashes. The larger the urn, however, the more expensive it will be. So, make sure to check out all options with your local funeral home before deciding which urn you’d like to purchase.

Materials

Since you will house your loved one’s ashes inside the wooden urn, you want to make sure that it is made of materials that can withstand any elements and be easily cleaned. You also want to ensure that they don’t break easily when bumped into walls or furniture. The urns made of wood are the most traditional and often used in homes. These urns are lightweight, and they come in a variety of styles and sizes, so you can choose the one that best fits your needs.

Cost

The cost of an urn for ashes varies depending on its size. So, naturally, larger urns can be more expensive than smaller ones. The materials and additional features also contribute to the urns’ overall price. Funeral service providers and retail stores will also charge different prices for the same urn, so it’s best to compare the prices of several funeral homes before making a purchase.

Personalization Options

Adding a personal touch to your deceased loved one’s wooden urn is a beautiful way to remember them. Some manufacturers offer services where they let you display your loved one’s picture or etch memorable lines, nameplates, and important dates on the surface of the wood. You can also paint the wooden urn yourself or have an artist do it. When choosing an urn, consider one that has this feature to make it even more special.

Decorative Wooden Urns For Your Mantel

1. INTAJ Handmade Rosewood Urn for Human Ashes

Check Latest Price

This product has a rating of B.*What does this rating mean?

Give your loved ones their final resting place at the foot of an ancient Tree of Life. This handcrafted wooden urn from INTAJ is made with high-quality Indian rosewood and features handcrafted designs and carvings to please the eye and heart. The tower-like shape comes in three sizes that house both adult, child, and pet remains.

Read more: Historical Uses Of Greek Urns

2. NWA Wooden Adult Size Human Funeral Cremation Urn

Check Latest Price

This product has a rating of A.*What does this rating mean?

When the time comes, it’s important to say goodbye in the most meaningful way. For those who prefer cremation, NWA offers a convenient wooden urn to house the ashes of your loved one. This hand-carved wooden urn is carefully created by skilled craftsmen and can hold up to 250 pounds of body weight before cremation. It also comes with a free personalized plate with adhesive on the back to attach to the urn’s surface.

3. Reminded Rosewood Hand-Carved Floral Urn Box

Check Latest Price

This product has a rating of B.*What does this rating mean?

Keep your loved one’s memory alive with this exquisite wooden urn from Reminded Store. It is hand-carved from premium rosewood and finished with an elegant floral design. The skilled craftsmanship and attention to detail ensure that their ashes are preserved with the utmost respect and tribute. The urn is secured with a bottom seal and comes complete with a black velvet storage bag.

4. Extra Large Cross Wooden Funeral Cremation Ash Urn

Check Latest Price

This product has a rating of B.*What does this rating mean?

Losing a loved one is never easy. Fortunately, the Extra Large Cross Wooden Funeral Cremation Ash Urn helps you honor their memory in a beautiful and dignified way. This urn is handcrafted with the utmost care and quality and features a 3D hand-carved cross, perfect for housing your loved one’s ashes with the respect they deserve.

5. MAKEY’s Professional Wooden Urns for Human Ashes Adult

Check Latest Price

This product has a rating of B.*What does this rating mean?

Looking for a top-quality urn to hold the ashes of your loved one? MAKEY’s Professional Wooden Urns is here for you. These urns are carefully crafted by skilled workers using advanced technology to suit the needs of most users.

The wood used in these urns is environmentally friendly and sturdy, meaning it won’t break or get damaged easily. And because it’s made from medium-density fiberboard (MDF), this urn box is also light enough to carry around. Best of all, these urns can hold ashes up to 200 pounds, so you know your loved one will be safe and sound in their final resting place.

Read more: How To Create Fishing Urns

6. Wooden Heart Cremation Urn for Humans and Pets Ashes

Check Latest Price

This product has a rating of A.*What does this rating mean?

Give your departed loved ones the send-off they deserve with this wooden heart-shaped cremation urn from 5MOONSUN5. This beautiful urn is handcrafted with love and care using high-quality rosewood, making it an ideal memorial to house a smaller amount of ashes like children or pets. Each urn is also unique in its own way, giving them the special tribute they deserve.

7. Malaika Memorials Cremation Urns for Adult Male and Female

Check Latest Price

This product has a rating of B.*What does this rating mean?

When it’s time to say goodbye to a loved one, Malaika Memorials offers a beautiful, handcrafted wooden urn to house their memory. This wooden cinerary urn is made with sustainable mango wood, so you can be sure your tribute will reflect the deep respect you have for the deceased.

They are big enough to accommodate adults up to 240 pounds and are finished by hand to ensure the highest quality. Give your beloved a send-off that is as unique as they were in life with a Malaika Memorials cremation urn.

8. SOULURNS – Border Engraved Rosewood Cremation Urns

Check Latest Price

This product has a rating of B.*What does this rating mean?

When it comes to saying goodbye to a loved one, you want to make sure they go out with the best of the best. And that’s what SOULURNS offers with their Border Engraved Rosewood Cremation Urns. These wooden vessels are made with natural oil-rich Indian rosewood.

Each urn is hand-carved with precision and detail by skilled artisans. There are also five different variations to choose from, so you can find the perfect fit for your needs. Plus, the bottom opening slides out and has a screw to keep the ashes secure.

9. Cremation Urn for Human Ashes with Wood Grain Finish

Check Latest Price

This product has a rating of A.*What does this rating mean?

Looking for a reliable, handcrafted urn that will last? This mini wooden urn is perfect for human and pet ashes and has a wood grain finish that is elegant and minimalistic. In addition, it is made of robust wood giving it an elegant and timeless design that is built to last.

This beautiful urn is handmade using an old sand casting technique. It’s made from sturdy wood, so you don’t have to worry about it breaking or cracking. It also has a rustic wood finish that gives it a unique look, and the etched tree adds to its elegance and style. Indeed, this urn is the perfect way to remember your loved ones.

Read also: 11 Amazing Urns For Cats For 2024

10. SMIURINS Handcrafted Wooden Urn

Check Latest Price

This product has a rating of A.*What does this rating mean?

Looking for an urn that’s as unique as your loved one? This beautiful urn from SMIURINS is made out of 100% premium natural rosewood, and each one is handmade, hand crafted, and hand-carved with a Tree of Life design. This symbolizes rebirth and immortality and represents the beginning of your departed’s new life in a better place. So, whether you’re looking for an urn for human or pet ashes, the SMIURINS Handcrafted Wooden Urn is a beautiful and fitting tribute.

Frequently Asked Questions about Wooden Urn

• Read more: How To Best Fill Urns With Greenery

  How long do wooden urns last?

Wooden urns can last for many years, provided that you take good care of them. However, do not be surprised if they show signs of wear after a few years. This is because wood is a natural product, so it will naturally change over time. Some scratches and dents are normal but should be taken care of quickly. You may choose to apply a second coat of wax to polish it but make sure to consult or let a professional do it. It is also best not to leave it out in moist areas or places with direct sunlight.

• What happens if you open a wooden urn?

Opening a wooden urn is not a good idea. Although some urns require ashes to be sealed inside a plastic bag while inside, others may not offer the same feature. Opening the urn is not recommended as it may leak or spill the ashes into the air, on your carpet, and everywhere.

• How to clean a wooden urn?

A wooden urn can look beautiful with time, but it may also be prone to damage by dust and insects. To keep it clean, wipe it with a damp cloth or sponge to avoid scratching the surface area of the urn. Ensure that you do not use any harsh products like bleach or ammonia, and avoid using any abrasive materials as this may damage the finish of the urn.

Conclusion

Death is an inevitable part of life. Unfortunately, we can only do so much to ease the pain and grief we feel. One way to do so is by providing a warm and safe environment to remind you of the life they have lived and the love they represented. Honor your departed loved one’s ashes with a wooden urn today and let their memory live on.