Is a Stainless Steel Urn for Ashes Right for You?

People usually look for a stainless steel urn for ashes for one of two reasons. They want something that will not chip, crack or fade, or they want an urn that can stand outside by a favorite bench or in a border. Steel does both well. This guide explains what the metal is good at, where it is the wrong choice, and then describes six designs from our metal cremation urns, from a full adult size to a keepsake that holds a small share.

Every size, weight and fitting below is taken from the product page for that urn.

Why stainless steel works for an urn

Stainless steel is steel with chromium added. A thin layer forms on the surface and protects it, which is why the metal does not rust the way ordinary steel does. A steel urn will not break if it is knocked off a shelf, and rain does not harm it. There is no glaze to craze and no paint to peel on the plain silver finishes.

Steel is also heavy for its size. That is useful outdoors, where a light urn could be blown over, and less useful if you want to move the urn often or carry it.

Grade 304 or grade 316: does it matter?

For most homes and gardens, no. Near the coast, yes. These are the two common grades, and 316 copes better with salt in the air. The British Stainless Steel Association says, in its guide Selection of stainless steels for building external applications (read on October 18, 2026), that "the 304, (1.4301) type can be considered for most sites, except either heavily polluted industrial sites or most marine sites", and that in those cases the 316 type "should be the preferred choice". The same guide notes that rain washing over stainless steel outdoors is an advantage, and that periodic cleaning is advisable.

Not every product page names the grade. Where ours do, we say so below. For a garden close to the sea, pick a design whose page says 316.

What size stainless steel urn do you need?

Capacity matters more than height. Our urn size guide works on about one cubic inch of space for each pound of body weight before cremation. The adult urns below hold 3.2 to 3.5 liters (195 to 214 cubic inches). If the ashes are being shared between family members, each person may only need a small urn. Companion urns hold two people together.

Six stainless steel urns and what each one is like

Beaumont Stainless Steel Adult Urn in Silver

A plain, upright block with a brushed silver finish and no decoration at all. Beaumont is made from 304 stainless steel and holds 3.2 liters (about 195 cubic inches). It is 21 cm (8.3 in) high and 13.5 cm (5.3 in) square, and weighs 1.4 kg (3.1 lb) empty. You fill it through the base, which is held by screws. Its page says it can go outdoors but should not be placed near seawater or in coastal areas. There is also a Beaumont in a brushed gold finish.

Pictured: Beaumont Stainless Steel Adult Cremation Urn for Ashes in Silver

Cylinder Adult Cremation Urn in Stainless Steel

A smooth, round column in brushed steel. The Cylinder holds 3.5 liters (about 214 cubic inches), stands 25 cm (9.84 in) tall and 14 cm (5.51 in) across, and weighs 2.4 kg (5.3 lb) empty. Its page says the lid closes securely, and lists the urn for indoors or a garden. Prefer a dark finish? The same shape comes as the Cylinder in matte black stainless steel, but its page says that finish is made for indoor display, so keep the black one inside.

Pictured: Cylinder Adult Cremation Urn for Ashes in Stainless Steel

Lotus Adult Cremation Urn in Stainless Steel

Pointed steel petals curve up and outward, like a lotus flower opening. For a garden near the sea, this is the one to look at. Its page describes the steel as marine-grade 316, the grade the British Stainless Steel Association prefers near the sea. Lotus holds 3.5 liters (about 214 cubic inches), measures 33 cm (13.0 in) high and wide and 30 cm (11.8 in) deep, and weighs 4.1 kg (9.0 lb) empty, so it sits firmly in a garden. Ashes go in through the base. A matte black Lotus is also available. That page does not name the grade of steel and says the black finish is made for indoor display, so it is not the one for a garden.

Pictured: Lotus Adult Cremation Urn for Ashes in Stainless Steel

Photo Candle Adult Cremation Urn in Stainless Steel

The Photo Candle Adult Cremation Urn combines a discreet ashes compartment with a photo frame and a candle holder, all in brushed stainless steel and made as one memorial piece. The photograph can be 17 × 26 cm (6.69 × 10.24 in). Capacity is 3.5 liters (about 214 cubic inches), and the whole piece is 33 cm (12.99 in) high, 40 cm (15.75 in) wide and 16 cm (6.30 in) deep. Filling is from the top. A lid presses firmly into place and sits flush, with no screws or tools. Its page lists it for indoor or outdoor display. Choose it if you want the urn, a photograph and a candle kept together in one place.

Cube Companion Urn for Two Adults in Stainless Steel

For two people who are to stay together. This cube is 20 cm (7.87 in) on every side and holds 7.0 liters (about 427 cubic inches), sized for the ashes of two adults. Expect real weight: 6.0 kg (13.2 lb) before it is filled. Its page says the lid closes securely and that the urn can be kept indoors or in a garden. More shapes are in our companion urns.

Pictured: Cube Companion Urns for Two Adults in Stainless Steel

Cube Small Urn for Ashes in Stainless Steel

A keepsake rather than a full urn. The small Cube holds 1.0 liter (about 61 cubic inches) and is 11 cm (4.33 in) on each side, weighing 1.1 kg (2.4 lb). Choose it when the ashes are divided, or when most have been scattered and a little is kept at home. Our small urns for ashes include more keepsake sizes in steel and other materials.

Pictured: Cube Small Urn for Ashes in Stainless Steel

The six side by side

• Beaumont, silver: 3.2 L (195 cu in), 304 steel, opens at the base with screws, indoors or outdoors away from the coast.
• Cylinder: 3.5 L (214 cu in), lid that closes securely, indoors or garden (the matte black finish is for indoors).
• Lotus: 3.5 L (214 cu in), 316 marine-grade steel, opens at the base, indoors or outdoors (the matte black finish is for indoors).
• Photo Candle: 3.5 L (214 cu in), press-fit lid at the top, photo frame and candle holder, indoors or outdoors.
• Cube Companion: 7.0 L (427 cu in), lid that closes securely, two adults, indoors or garden.
• Cube Small: 1.0 L (61 cu in), lid that closes securely, a portion of the ashes, indoors or garden.

When a stainless steel urn is the wrong choice

If you are flying with the ashes (United States)

Metal is a problem at airport security. The Transportation Security Administration's page on cremated remains (read on October 18, 2026) says: "If the container is made of a material that generates an opaque image, TSA officers will not be able to clearly determine what is inside the container and the container will not be allowed." The TSA also says its officers "will not open a container, even if requested by the passenger", and suggests a container "made of a lighter weight material, such as wood or plastic." Travel with the ashes in a lighter container and move them into the steel urn at home. Our travel urns and our guide to flying with ashes cover traveling with ashes in more detail.

If the urn is going into a natural burial ground

Steel does not break down in soil, so it is not the urn for a burial meant to return the ashes to the earth. Cemeteries and natural burial grounds set their own rules about containers. Ask before you buy. Our biodegradable burial urns are made for that, and the guide to what type of urn is best for burial explains the choices.

If you would rather have something warmer to the touch

Steel is cool and modern. In a traditional room, wood or ceramic can sit more easily. Our guide on why choose a metal urn explains more about metal urns, and our wooden urns are another place to look.

Caring for a steel urn

Indoors, dust it with a soft dry cloth. Outdoors, rain does part of the work, and the British Stainless Steel Association guide quoted above advises periodic cleaning as well. Avoid scouring pads, which scratch the brushed grain. Set an outdoor urn on a level, firm base such as a paving slab, so it cannot tip.

Sizes and product details in this guide were checked against our product pages on October 18, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Can a stainless steel urn for ashes be kept outside?

Yes. Stainless steel resists rust, and all six urns in this guide are listed for indoor or outdoor display. Near the sea, choose an urn made from grade 316 steel, such as the Lotus, because grade 304 is not recommended for most marine sites.

Do stainless steel urns rust?

Not in normal use, because a protective layer forms on the surface of stainless steel. Salt air is the main exception: the British Stainless Steel Association does not recommend grade 304 for most marine sites, so choose grade 316 near the sea.

Is a stainless steel urn big enough for an adult?

The adult designs in this guide hold 3.2 to 3.5 liters (195 to 214 cubic inches). As a guide, allow about one cubic inch of capacity for each pound of body weight before cremation.

Can I take a stainless steel urn through airport security?

In the United States, probably not. The TSA says a container that shows as an opaque image on the X-ray will not be allowed, and officers will not open it. Carry the ashes in a wood or plastic container and fill the steel urn at home.

How do you seal a stainless steel urn?

It depends on the design. Beaumont closes at the base with screws, Lotus opens at the base, Photo Candle has a lid that presses in flush, and the Cylinder and Cube pages say the lid closes securely. None of these pages describes a permanent seal, so if you want one, ask us before you add anything to an urn.

Can a stainless steel urn be buried?

It can go into a plot where the cemetery allows it, but steel will not break down in the ground. Cemeteries and natural burial grounds set their own rules about containers, so check before you choose.