In Singapore, cremation has become the preferred choice for many families due to the New Burial Policy introduced in 1998.
With land scarcity a growing concern, graves are limited to a 15-year period before remains must be relocated. Because of this, many turn to cremation as a practical and meaningful way to honour their loved ones.
Read more: Burial, Cremation and Ash Management
Why Choosing the Right Funeral Urn Matters
Besides being a container to store ashes, a funeral urn is a lasting tribute to your loved one’s memory.
Urns are often placed in a columbarium, but some families choose to keep them at home, while others prefer sea burials with biodegradable urns or land scattering.
The right urn ensures a dignified and meaningful resting place. Thus, it’s important to understand the costs and key considerations to help you make the best decision for your family.
Discover more: Singapore Funeral Services – A Comprehensive Guide
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How Much Does a Funeral Urn Cost?
The cost of a funeral urn varies based on material, design, size, and customisation. In Singapore, prices typically range from S$50 to over S$1,000. This depends on your preferences and requirements.
Factors Affecting Funeral Urn Prices
Material
Urns made from softwood, ceramic, or biodegradable materials are usually more affordable, while marble, bronze, hardwood, and gold-plated urns are on the higher end.
Design and Craftsmanship
Simple urns cost less, while handcrafted or artist-designed urns come at a premium.
Size
Standard adult urns hold around 3 litres of ashes, but larger or companion urns may cost more.
Personalisation
Engravings, photo inlays, or custom shapes can add to the cost.
Brand and Origin
Imported or designer urns tend to be pricier than locally crafted ones.
If you are looking for a budget-friendly funeral urn, you can find basic options starting at S$50 to S$200.
Mid-range urns with decorative details range between S$200 and S$900, while premium urns can exceed S$1,000, especially for custom designs.
Explore our range of urns to find one that suits your budget. Contact us via WhatsApp or call for guidance and enquiries.
What to Consider When Buying a Funeral Urn
With so many options available, choosing the right funeral urn can feel overwhelming. Here are key factors to consider:
1. Purpose of the Urn
Before purchasing, think about how the urn will be used:
For Home Memorials
If the urn will be placed at home, a decorative urn that complements your space may be ideal.
For Scattering Ashes or Sea Burial
Opt for a lightweight, eco-friendly urn designed for scattering. For sea burials, funeral urns are usually made to dissolve in water or degrade naturally.
For Columbarium Placement
Remember to check the size requirements of the columbarium niche before buying. The funeral urn must fit inside the designated niche.
Read more: Understanding Columbarium Niche in Singapore
2. Material Matters
The material of the urn plays a significant role in durability and aesthetics:
Metal (Brass, Bronze, Stainless Steel)
Sturdy and long-lasting, suitable for home display or columbarium placement. Gold-plated urns, while also made of metal, offer a premium and elegant finish, often symbolising reverence and prestige.
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Hardwood (Oak, Mahogany, Walnut, Teak)
Dense, durable, and resistant to wear over time. It offers a warm and natural look, making it ideal for home memorials.
Softwood (Pine, Cedar, Spruce)
Lighter and more affordable than hardwood. It provides a natural look for home memorials but with less durability.
Ceramic & Porcelain
Delicate, elegant, and often handcrafted, ceramic and porcelain urns add an artistic touch but require careful handling due to their fragility.
Marble
Timeless and durable, marble urns offer a classic and elegant look. Each piece is unique due to natural stone variations, making it a refined choice for home memorials or columbarium placement.
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Glass
Elegant and customisable but fragile. Glass urns come in unique designs and vibrant colours, blending well with home décor. However, they require careful placement to avoid damage.
Biodegradable (Paper, Sand, Salt, Cornstarch, Bamboo)
Ideal for water or earth-friendly burials. Some biodegradable urns are designed to dissolve in water, while others naturally break down when buried in soil.
Read more: Green Burial in Singapore: Sustainable Burial Options in Singapore
3. Size and Capacity
Standard funeral urns hold around 3 litres of ashes, enough for an adult. If you are purchasing for two individuals, a companion urn with double capacity may be more suitable.
For families who wish to keep a part of their loved one close, keepsake urns or jewellery urns provide a heartfelt way to preserve their memory.
Keepsake urns hold a small portion of ashes, allowing family members to share this remembrance. Jewellery urns, such as pendants or bracelets, discreetly encase a tiny portion of ashes within an elegant design, offering a deeply personal connection.
Many families find comfort in keeping these close while choosing to scatter the remaining ashes in a meaningful place, place them in a columbarium, or keep them in a dedicated home memorial.
Since keepsake and jewellery urns hold only a small portion of ashes, cremated remains may need to undergo pulverisation to achieve a finer consistency. This ensures that they fit securely within the smaller compartments, providing a smooth and respectful process for families who wish to cherish their loved one’s memory in this way.
It’s advisable to inform the crematorium in advance if you require pulverisation. This ensures the ashes are refined to a finer consistency, making them suitable for keepsake urns or jewellery. Arranging this ahead of time can also help avoid any additional costs that may arise from last-minute requests.
4. Design and Personalisation
Many families choose an urn that reflects their loved one’s personality, beliefs, or cherished memories.
Personalisation adds a meaningful touch, making the urn a unique tribute. Some common ways to customise an urn include:
Engraved Names, Dates, or Messages
Adding the person’s name, birth and passing dates, or a heartfelt message creates a personal and lasting tribute.
Some families choose short quotes, poetry, or a phrase that held special meaning to their loved one.
Religious Symbols, Sutras, or Cultural Motifs
Many urns can be adorned with symbols representing faith, spirituality, or cultural heritage, such as crosses, lotus flowers, or ancestral emblems.
In Chinese religious traditions, families may choose to engrave Buddhist or Taoist sutras. Such as passages from the Heart Sutra or the Amitabha Sutra.
This acts as a way to offer blessings, protection, and guidance for their loved one’s journey beyond.
Custom-Painted Designs or Portraits
Hand-painted urns allow for intricate artwork, ranging from scenic landscapes to floral patterns or personal portraits.
This creates a visually striking and deeply personal way to commemorate a loved one.
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5. Budget and Value
While it’s natural to consider cost, think about long-term value. Investing in a well-crafted urn ensures not only durability but also a sense of comfort and remembrance for years to come.
Whether displayed at home, placed in a columbarium, or kept as a keepsake, the right urn provides peace of mind.
Where to Buy a Funeral Urn in Singapore?
Funeral urns are available at memorial homes, funeral service providers, and online retailers. Many funeral directors in Singapore offer guidance on selecting an urn that best suits your needs.
Some families choose to purchase an urn in advance as part of pre-planning arrangements, ensuring everything is prepared with care and easing the burden on loved ones.
At Memorial Funeral Specialist, we understand the importance of finding an urn that truly honours a cherished life. Our selection includes a variety of designs to suit different preferences and budgets. Contact us via WhatsApp or call us at +65 8866 3326 for enquiries, or visit us at 22 Sin Ming Lane #06-76, Midview City to explore our collection and find a meaningful tribute for your loved one.
Read more: Importance of Pre-Planning Funeral
Final Thoughts
Selecting a funeral urn is a deeply personal decision that reflects love, remembrance, and respect. Whether you seek a simple design or an elegant tribute, taking time to consider the cost, materials, size, and personalisation ensures a meaningful choice.
If you need assistance, we’re here to help you find the perfect urn to honour your loved one. For guidance on funeral planning or to explore our selection, contact our compassionate team today via WhatsApp or call at +65 8866 3326.
