What Size Cremation Urn Do I Need? A Simple Guide

Choosing an urn can feel confusing and painful. We’re here to make sizing simple and the process a little gentler.

Quick rule of thumb: plan for about 1 cubic inch of capacity per 1 lb of pre-cremation body weight. However, weight isn’t the most accurate factor—because cremated remains are composed primarily of bone fragments, height tends to determine ash volume more than weight. A taller person will generally produce more ashes than a shorter person of the same weight.

If your loved one or pet had aquamation, you may need ~20–30% more capacity than traditional flame cremation.

If you’re unsure after reading, email cc@boycestudio.com—we’re happy to help.

Urns for People

Adult

• Recommended: Large

• Capacity: 200 cubic inches

• Finishes: 2 options

• Suits most adults, though height is a more reliable guide than weight.

Child

• Recommended: Medium 

• Capacity: 80–90 cubic inches

• Typically fits a child up to ~4 feet tall or ~80 lb pre-cremation weight.

Sharing Ashes / Keepsakes

• Recommended: Medium Planturn for partial sharing, or multiple urns.

• We can craft multiple urns from the same piece of wood so they’re clearly related—email us to request this.

Infant / Small Keepsake

• Recommended: Small Planturn 

• Capacity: 35 cubic inches

• Also ideal when most ashes are scattered and a small amount is kept at home.

Urns for Pets

Dogs up to ~80 lb (traditional cremation)

• Recommended: Medium Planturn 

• For aquamation (which typically produces 20–30% more ashes), measure your ashes in cubic inches or consider sizing up.

Cats & Small Dogs (≤35 lb traditional cremation)

• Recommended: Small Planturn (25 cubic inches)

• If your pet was close to 20–35 lb or had aquamation, measure ashes to confirm the small is sufficient.

Quick Size Chart

Note: Ash volume depends more on bone structure and height than weight, and can also vary by cremation equipment and protocol. When in doubt, measure ashes in cubic inches or email us for guidance.

We’re here to help

Still have questions? Email cc@boycestudio.com and we’ll recommend the right Boyce Studio urn for your situation.