Why choose a Biodegradable Urn?

A biodegradable urn lets you return a loved one gently to nature, dissolving in water or breaking down in the soil over time. They are eco-friendly, made entirely from natural materials, and come in beautiful designs for both water and land burials. This guide explains how they work and shows the biodegradable urns we currently make.

Quick answer: Biodegradable urns are made from natural materials such as plant fibre, paper, sand, salt and bamboo, designed to break down completely and return ashes to the earth or water. Water urns float briefly then dissolve within minutes to hours; land urns break down in soil over weeks to months. They are an affordable, eco-friendly choice, and many come in keepsake sizes too.

Why choose a biodegradable urn?

• Eco-friendly. Made entirely from natural materials, they leave nothing harmful behind.
• A gentle return to nature. They let a loved one become part of the sea, a river, or the earth.
• Affordable. Generally a more affordable choice than a permanent display urn.
• Versatile. Many work for either water or land burial, and come in keepsake sizes for sharing.

Water burial urns

Water urns are placed gently on the surface, where they float for a few moments before sinking and dissolving, releasing the ashes into the water. The Journey Urn is made from mulberry bark, the Shell Urn is shaped like a clam shell, the Oceane Quartz Urn is coated in crushed quartz, and the Himalayan Rock Salt Urn is carved from salt millions of years old.

Land burial urns

Land urns are buried in the soil, where their natural materials break down over weeks to months and the ashes become part of the earth. The Simplicity Earthurn and Purity Earthurn are made from organic vegetable extracts and fibres, the woven Bali Tribute Urn is hand-made from natural fibres, and the Love Heart Urn is formed as a gentle heart.

You can see the full range in our biodegradable urns collection. For more detail, see our guides on how long biodegradable urns last and how cremation urns are buried.

Frequently asked questions

What are biodegradable urns made of?

Natural materials such as plant fibre, recycled paper, sand, salt, mulberry bark and bamboo. These break down completely, leaving nothing harmful in the water or soil.

How long does a biodegradable urn take to break down?

In water, most dissolve within minutes to a few hours depending on the material. In soil, they break down over several weeks to a few months. Kept dry indoors beforehand, they stay solid indefinitely.

Can a biodegradable urn be used for both water and land?

Many can, reacting to the conditions, breaking down quickly in water or slowly in soil. Each product page states whether an urn is intended for water, land, or both.

Are biodegradable urns cheaper than display urns?

Generally yes. Because they are made from natural materials and intended for burial rather than long-term display, they are usually a more affordable, eco-friendly option.