20 Unusual Urns For Ashes

An urn does not have to look like an urn. Over the years we have searched out designs from artisans around the world that break from the traditional vase shape, pieces that look more like sculpture, nature or fine art. If you are looking for something that reflects a personality rather than a convention, here are some of the most unusual urns we currently make.

Quick answer: Unusual urns for ashes include sculptural metal designs, nature-inspired shapes, one-of-a-kind crystalline-glazed ceramics, and biodegradable urns for water or earth. The right choice usually comes down to a personality or a passion, a love of the sea, the garden, art, or simply a wish for something that does not look like a typical urn. Every piece below is one we currently make and ship.

Urns inspired by nature

For a loved one who felt most themselves outdoors, a nature-inspired urn can say more than words. The Lotus Urn opens into the petals of a lotus flower, a symbol of renewal that blooms from still water. The Eternal Bloom Urn carries a band of flowers in bronze and gold, while the Soaring Doves Urn shows two doves in flight. The Metal Butterfly Urn draws on the butterfly as a sign of change and rebirth, and the Tree of Life Urn sets a fine tree motif into its center. For more themes from the natural world and the night sky, we also make a dedicated range of bird urns and star urns.

Sculptural and modern urns

Some of our most striking pieces read as modern art. The Drop Urn takes the clean geometry of a falling water droplet, and the Pyramid Urn echoes one of the oldest symbols of life after death. The Teardrop Candle Sphere Urn joins two ceramic hemispheres around a space for a candle, the Mother of Pearl Urn shimmers with an iridescent finish, and the Lumos Urn brings a soft, lantern-like glow to a quiet corner.

One-of-a-kind crystalline urns

Our crystalline-glazed urns are perhaps the most genuinely unusual we offer, because no two are ever the same. Each is fired so that crystals grow across the glaze in the kiln, forming patterns that can never be repeated. The Jadeite and Emerald urns carry deep greens, while the Saturn Urn rings its body like the planet it is named for.

Biodegradable urns for water and earth

If returning a loved one to nature feels right, our biodegradable urns are made to dissolve gently in water or break down in soil. The Shell Water Urn is shaped like a clam shell and floats briefly before sinking, and the Journey Water Urn is crafted from mulberry bark harvested without felling the tree. The Oceane Quartz Urn is coated in crushed quartz, the Himalayan Rock Salt Urn is carved from salt 250 million years old, and the woven Bali Tribute Urn is hand-made from natural fibres. For a gentler shape, the Love Heart Urn is formed as a simple heart. You can see them all in our biodegradable urns collection.

A personal touch

A few designs are made to carry something more of the person. The Photo Candle Urn holds a favorite photograph alongside a space for a candle, so a face and a light sit together. And our most-loved design, the Passage Urn, spirals inward to represent the passage of time, with a tealight at its heart.

You can browse the full range any time in our adult cremation urns collection, and if you would like help choosing, our guide to what to do with ashes after cremation walks through every option.

Frequently asked questions

What counts as an unusual urn for ashes?

An unusual urn is simply one that breaks from the traditional vase shape, such as a sculptural metal design, a nature-inspired form, a one-of-a-kind crystalline glaze, or a biodegradable urn for water or earth. They hold ashes just as securely as a classic urn.

Are unusual urns still full-size?

Most of the designs here are full adult size, holding the ashes of one adult. Many also come in keepsake and pet sizes, so you can match a distinctive design to whatever you need.

Can I display an unusual urn outdoors?

Many can. Stainless steel and high-fired ceramic designs are weather-resistant and suitable for the garden. Wooden and biodegradable urns are best kept indoors, or used for burial. Each product page lists where the urn can be placed.

Are biodegradable urns suitable for water burial?

Yes. Our water urns, such as the Shell, Journey and Oceane designs, are made to float briefly and then dissolve, releasing the ashes gently into the water. Others are designed to break down in soil for a garden or natural burial.