If you are arranging a cremation funeral, you will need to decide what to do with your loved one’s ashes.
You may wish to keep them at home, either temporarily or permanently, or bury or scatter them on land or water. There are many options for retaining a small quantity of ashes in the form of memorial jewellery and keepsakes.
Whatever you decide, White Rose Modern Funerals can help you arrange and source the perfect option.
Our range of Urns
Select style of urn – or scroll down to view all urns
SCATTER ON LAND
Scattering the ashes on land
Ashes may be scattered or strewn in many locations, including the crematorium’s Garden of Remembrance which is a dedicated memorial garden. Alternatively, there may be a particular scenic location that has a special meaning to you or your loved one or you can opt for a natural burial ground.
To scatter ashes on land, you don’t generally need a licence or permission – except for on private land, where you should obtain the landowners permission. For National Trust land or National Parks, you should seek the permission of the manager for that site.
When scattering ashes on land, it is advisable to either dig a small trench in which to pour the ashes or rake in the ashes to spread them evenly, especially on lawns. Transferring the ashes into a scattering tube will make it easier than using the original container.
Examples of scattering tubes and urns suitable for land scattering
Scattering tube
If you are scattering your loved one’s ashes, the most practical and easy to use option is an ashes scatter tube. We have selected the newest generation of scatter tubes – the Scatterpod – which makes scattering ashes easier.
They are made from recycled, biodegradable materials and can be recycled or composted after use. We carry this attractive Bluebell Woodland design in stock, however alternative and personalised designs are available (please enquire for pricing).
Set of scatter tubes
One set is made up of two medium tubes (28cm tall x 11cm wide, capacity 2.3 cubic cm) so that each can contain half of the ashes.
Each tube has a removable lid and then a resealable opening which is opened when scattering.
£45
Token scatter tube
A miniature tube for a token set of ashes (11cm x 4cm wide, capacity 115 cubic cm).
The tube has a removable lid.
£10
Acorn Urn
These artisan urns are made from recycled kraft and paper. The stalks are twists of tissue paper and the bases finished with coloured mulberry paper. Colour shown is Stone, other colours available are Moss Green, Dark Green, Russet, Purple, Yellow, Turquoise or Dutch Gold Foil.
£55 each (except Gold Foil – £90)
TOLAD
The TOLAD is a hiking staff filled with your loved one’s ashes. With each step, a small amount of ashes is released from the lower end of the staff, allowing you to scatter ashes gradually while taking a walk.
£110
Recycled paper
Moulded into a beautifully textured design, this environmentally friendly newspaper urn can be used to scatter ashes, as well as kept in the home or buried.
£25
Living Memorial
This is a kit that contains an organic mixture that can be combined with your loved one’s ashes to create a nourishing environment for planting a tree as a living memorial or simply burying ashes. For more details see the ‘Burial & Interment’ section on this page.
£25
RELEASE INTO WATER
Releasing the ashes into water
When scattering or casting ashes at sea, or on a river or lake, ensuring you stay well clear of bathing areas or marinas. It is easier and more private to scatter the ashes from onboard a boat than from the water’s edge. For example, on the Thames in Richmond and Twickenham we can arrange for use of Windrush, an elegant boat with room for 12 people from which to scatter ashes.
A good tip is to obtain a scattering tube or biodegradable water urn which can dissolve slowly when placed in water (see Limbo urn below).
Examples of biodegradable, water soluble urns
Aqua urn
These attractive biodegradable water urns will float briefly on the surface to allow a final farewell, before taking on water and gracefully sinking to the bottom. The urn will then break down naturally over time, making them perfect for water burial.
Handmade using an ancient paper making technique using bark from the mulberry tree, which is harvested, leaving the tree alive and intact. After the bark is soaked, the resulting pulp is laid out on bamboo screens, often with floral material inlaid, and dried in the sun.
Aqua urn – blue
Each urn includes a water-soluble plastic bag which dissolves on contact with water, allowing the cremated remains to be dispersed within minutes.
£50
Aqua urn – natural
Each urn includes a water-soluble plastic bag which dissolves on contact with water, allowing the cremated remains to be dispersed within minutes.
£50
Limbo Oléa Urn
Made of crushed olive pips and naturally coloured with kiwi, this fully biodegradable urn can be released into water – the ashes are taken directly to the bottom of the waterway, or they can be buried along the shoreline. 22cm diameter, 1.4kg weight (without ashes).
£145
Limbo Samsara Urn
Crafted with sand, some sea salt and bound by plant extracts. Biodegradable and 100% soluble, yet hard. Suitable for submerging in water (fresh or saltwater) or burying along the shoreline.
£140
Limbo Nu urn
A water soluble urn made with saline and natural components, designed to cast ashes in the sea. Gradually dissolves into the waves within a few minutes and dissolution time is generally between five and ten minutes.
£140
Water Bio Urn
Made of sand and a plant-based gel, this urn will float for few minutes (depending on quantity of ashes), sink and dissolve completely in water, releasing the ashes into the water.
£140
KEEP & DISPLAY
Keep the ashes at home
If you want to retain the ashes at home for a longer period or indefinitely, you may wish to buy a decorative urn. There are many styles of urns to choose from, either for inside the home or the garden, made from brass, marble, wood or glass. You can also have miniature keepsake urns if you wish to keep only a small quantity of the ashes or share the ashes between family members.
Examples of urns for keeping ashes at home on display
Silver & Mother of Pearl Brass Urn
This stylish urn is constructed from brass and features rows of luminous mother of pearl inlay on both the body and the lid with a silver band running round the center. The lid is engineered with a high quality threaded fastening keeping the ashes secure inside.
£160
Wooden Casket (Oak)
This ashes casket is superbly constructed and finished to an exceptional standard. They are made from solid wood and can hold a full set of adult cremated remains.
£50
Wooden urn (Teak)
A wooden cremation urn made of Teak, with rounded edges and gentle curves. Suitable for an engraved plaque.
£140
Garden Urn
Suitable for the garden, this organically shaped urn from the Philippines is hand-carved from lava stone, becoming a living part of its environment as it grows a coat of lichen or moss. Dimensions: H40 x W31 x D31cm
£190
BURIAL & INTERMENT
Burial of the ashes
You can bury the ashes in a cemetery grave, in which case you will need to purchase the Exclusive Right of Burial for the plot and ensure the casket includes a name-plate and date of death. You will also need the Cremation Certificate and notice of interment form.
Alternatively, you may bury them on private land, in which case you will need the landowner’s permission. If you are burying them within the grounds of a home, a record of the burial should be kept safe (for example with the Deeds). A popular choice is to bury them at a natural burial ground or woodland plot. It is possible to scatter them at Kew Gardens, but you do need to obtain a permit.
When burying ashes, you should ensure they are in a biodegradable container or wooden casket (a cotton bag is acceptable for natural burial grounds). Ashes can also be used to plant a tree, planted in the ground or in a planter so that it is mobile – for this option, see the Living Memorial below.
Examples of urns suitable for burial or interment
Acorn urn
Ideal for the burial of cremation ashes in private ground, woodland burial grounds and natural settings, these appealing Acorn urns are made from recycled kraft and recycled paper.
The stalks are twists of tissue paper and the bases finished with coloured mulberry paper.
The ashes are securely contained inside a cotton drawstring bag inside the Acorn urn.
Acorn urn – various colours
- Fully biodegradable
- Individually boxed
- Made in the UK
- 100% cotton drawstring ashes bags included
- Holds a full set of adult ashes (Four litre volume)
- Acorn base: 22cm tall x 19cm diameter
- Overall dimensions: 27cm tall x 21cm max diameter
Colours available: Moss Green, Dark Green, Stone, Russet, Purple, Yellow, Turquoise or Dutch Gold Foil
£55 each (except Gold Foil – £90)
Wooden Casket (Oak)
This ashes casket is superbly constructed and finished to an exceptional standard. They are made from solid wood and can hold a full set of adult cremated remains.
Double ashes caskets are also available
£50
Paper urn
This ‘Floral Bouquet’ paper urn is handmade from sky blue and white paper, featuring an attractive white paper flower centre.
£60
Eco-urn
This environmentally friendly urn is hand woven in the Philippines by craftsmen using locally sourced, sustainable natural materials, including Bamboo, Banana leaf and Water hyacinth.
£50
Limbo Oléa Urn
Made of crushed olive pips and naturally coloured with kiwi, this fully biodegradable urn can be buried in the ground. The urn’s lid could be replaced to include a sapling to be planted – in the ground or within a planter for your patio or garden. 22cm diameter, 1.4kg weight (without ashes).
£145
ASHES JEWELLERY
Memorial jewellery and keepsakes
There are many options available for retaining a small quantity of ashes in the form of handmade cremation jewellery, glass art memorials and keepsake urns. A small quantity of the ash, about one teaspoon per item, is usually sufficient and jewellery can also be engraved.
Specialist suppliers of memorial jewellery and keepsakes:
Please contact these companies directly if you wish to have ashes made into jewellery:
- Ashes with Art – asheswithart.co.uk
- Ashes into Glass – ashesintoglass.co.uk
- Forever Together – forevertogetherjewellery.co.uk
IF NO URN CHOSEN?
What happens if I don’t choose an urn?
After the cremation funeral, we will personally collect the ashes to you for you to collect from our office in Twickenham or Teddington – or we can arrange for a courier delivery. Alternatively you may choose to have the ashes strewn at the Crematorium’s Garden of Remembrance or collect from the crematorium yourself.
If you don’t choose an urn, the ashes will be in the original container as provided by the crematorium, which is typically in a sealed bag inside a cardboard box. It is perfectly fine to keep the ashes in this box if you wish.
Alongside the ashes, we will also provide the Certificate of Cremation which you will need if you are planning a burial of the ashes or wish to transport the ashes abroad.
For more information about ashes scattering ceremonies and products available, please call White Rose Modern Funerals on 020 3281 1045.
Independent funeral director
helping families across London & Surrey
You can speak to us anytime on 020 3281 1045 – we’re open 24/7
