What Size Urn Do I Need?

Choosing an urn for someone you love is a deeply personal decision, and getting the size right matters. We've put together this simple guide to help you choose with confidence. If you'd like a hand at any point, our team is only a message away.

The simplest way to be sure: know the volume

The most reliable way to choose the right urn is to know the actual volume of your loved one's ashes, measured in centilitres (cl) or litres. Most of our full-size adult urns are made to hold a standard adult's ashes comfortably — but if you'd like to be completely certain, or you're choosing a smaller keepsake or a shared urn, knowing the volume removes any doubt. Details below.

How to find out the volume:

Once you know the volume, you can match it to the capacity shown on each product page. If a product lists only its dimensions, or you're unsure, just get in touch and we'll confirm the right fit for you.

Ask the crematorium

Most crematoria record the volume of ashes before they're returned and are happy to share it.

Ask your funeral director

They deal with this routinely and can confirm the figure, or check with the crematorium for you.

Check the container the ashes came in

If it has a stated capacity, you can estimate the volume from how full it is — for example, a 300cl container filled around four-fifths holds roughly 240cl.

Measure them yourself

If the ashes are with you, gently transfer them into a measuring jug. Please take your time and do this somewhere calm and unhurried.

Urn Size Guide

To calculate the Urn size you require is, for every pound of body weight, allow one cubic inch of cremated remains. If you are measuring in Kilograms, the conversion is 1 Kilogram = 2.2 Pounds.

It is important to note that if the deceased was taller, you may need to add extra capacity and for stillborn/young babies you will also need to add slightly more for the capacity. Fat is burnt away during the cremation process, so will have less of a bearing on the final amount of ashes which you will need to also consider when choosing the right urn size.

Pre-Death Weight Pounds / Stone / KG	Urn Size Required Cubic Inches / Cl	Weight of Ashes Grams / KG
1lb / 0.072 stone / 0.45kg	1 cubic inch / 1.7cl	13g
62lb / 4.5 stone / 28.5KG	62 cubic inches / 100cl	850g
168lb / 12 stone / 76.2KG	168 cubic inches / 280cl	2.17kg

If you need help, please use the contact form below.

A quick look at our urn sizes

Single adult urns hold the full ashes of one adult. Most hold around 280–340cl (2.8–3.4 L), which suits the great majority of adults.
Double & companion urns are designed to hold the ashes of two adults together, with roughly double the capacity.
Child urns are sized for a child; capacity varies, so please check the individual product page.
Keepsake urns & memory pebbles hold a small, symbolic portion of ashes — often kept by several family members alongside a main urn.
Scatter tubes are made for scattering; our large tubes hold 240cl and small tubes 20cl.