Pet Urn Size Guide: Finding the Right Fit
The simple math for choosing an urn that actually fits your pet's ashes.
The urn arrived and it was too small. I had to call the crematory to exchange it, which felt awful. A simple sizing guide would have prevented this.
The basic rule
**1 pound of body weight = approximately 1 cubic inch of ashes**
So:
Always round up. If your pet weighs 45 pounds, get at least a 50 cubic inch urn. A little extra space is better than not enough.
Standard urn sizes
**Extra Small (up to 25 cubic inches)**
**Small (25-50 cubic inches)**
**Medium (50-100 cubic inches)**
**Large (100-200 cubic inches)**
**Extra Large (200+ cubic inches)**
Aquamation produces more ashes
If your pet had aquamation instead of flame cremation, you'll receive about 20-30% more remains. Size up accordingly.
Example: A 50-pound dog would need about 50 cubic inches for cremation ashes, but closer to 65 cubic inches for aquamation remains.
What if I want to divide the ashes?
Some families split ashes between multiple family members, or keep some in a keepsake while scattering the rest.
If you're dividing:
What if I want to scatter some?
You don't need to keep all the ashes in an urn. Many people keep a portion in a small urn or jewelry and scatter the rest. There's no rule saying you have to choose one or the other.