Choosing a personalized memorial urn brings ups questions for everyone. Here are a few many-asked questions and answers.
With cremation, options are numerous. The cremains can be interred in a cemetery plot, i.e., earth burial, retained by a family member, usually in an urn, scattered on private property, or at a place that was significant to the deceased. (It is always advisable to check for local regulations regarding scattering in a public place.) Some crematories provide scattering gardens within their dedicated property, often with the option of personal memorials. The use of dedicated property assures the site chosen will not be developed for other use at some future time. Cremation is just one step in the commemorative process—the preparation of the human remains for memorialization.
Today, there are many different types of memorial options from which to choose. Memorialization is a time-honored tradition that has been practiced for centuries. A memorial serves as a tribute to a life lived and provides a focal point for remembrance, as well as a record for future generations. The type of memorial you choose is a personal decision. The limit is set only by your imagination.
There currently are two options for taking a crematory container on your flight:
Carry-on: You are allowed to carry-on a crematory container, but it must pass through x-ray screening with other carry-on materials. Mabrey wooden urns are easily scanned, ideal for carry-on. If the container is made of a material that prevents the screener from clearly being able to see what is inside, then the container will not be allowed through the security checkpoint.
Checked Baggage: You may transport the urn as checked baggage provided that it is successfully screened. TSA will screen the urn using a variety of techniques; if cleared, it will be permitted as checked baggage. Again, Mabrey wooden urns are easily scanned.
Please note the following TSA information: Out of respect for the deceased, the screener may not open the container under any circumstance. Crematory containers are made from many different types of materials, all with varying thickness. TSA suggests that you purchase a crematory container made of a lighter weight material such as wood that can be successfully X-rayed. The TSA will continue to work with funeral home associations to provide additional guidance in the future. Please check with your air carrier about any restrictions that may apply.
We customarily ship customized urn in three to five working days. We ship to you using UPS and Federal Express, depending on your need. Our customer service team is familiar with shipping and delivery options and can easily give you estimates on your order.
Cremation urns are made from a variety of products but Mabrey specializes in wooden cremation urns. We use furniture-grade traditional favorites including oak, mahogany, walnut, cherry, maple, paduak, purpleheart, poplar, cedar, koa, myrtle, and pine.
The body is placed into a retort or cremation chamber where heat causes the body to be reduced to its most elemental state, called the cremains. Some may refer to the cremated remains as ‘ashes’ but cremains have neither the appearance nor the chemical properties of ashes, they are in fact, small bone fragments. After preparation, cremains are either placed in a permanent urn or a temporary container for transportation.
At Mabrey, you have unlimited choices. Our custom engraving service is the most popular for personalizing an urn. Adding names, dates, and even photographs to our beautiful wooden urns is what most people choose. Click here to see the fonts we use for laser-engaving. We also offer one of a kind customizing— using a photograph or artwork the family supplies, or developing a custom design to meet your specific desires. Many of our designs can be ordered with appliques or medallions, or with a nameplate that can be engraved. Your choices are almost infinite.
On average, a pound of body weight creates one cubic inch of cremains. For example: if someone weighs 150 pounds, an urn will need to hold approximately 150 cubic inches. Because we specialize in customized memorials, we can make an urn in almost any size. Your funeral professional can advise of any special size requirements, such as fitting an existing niche.