Have you ever had to estimate the size of urn you'll need to hold someone's ashes? Believe it or not, there is a guideline for just such a grisly calculation. In this case, I want to get something for our departed dog Willie.
The first thing you learn is that there is a generally accepted word for the ashes of a loved one: Cremains. So, now that we have proper terminology in place, how do we go about this math? Let's get it over with...
According to one website that sells urns:
"Calculate one cubic inch of urn size for every pound of body weight. The average adult size is 180 cu inches."
Yikes, pondering it, I realize that most of us have a volume of potential ashes in us equivalent to the displacement of a small V6 engine. Kind of unsettling.
Of course:
"Some families prefer multiple urns so a loved one's ashes can be divided among family members. Using multiple urns means the ashes may be interned in several locations."
Wouldn't you always wonder if you got most of Grandpa's hip bone or hand, while your brother got the majority of his skull? I would.
In Willie's case, he was about 50 lbs, so the morbid rule of thumb gives us 50 cubic inches of cremains.
Reading further, I see they can provide what we need:
"Small urn sizes are available for pets."
Ok, good stuff. But the next line is somewhat shocking:
"Very large urns (1500 cu. inches) are available for equine use."
Can you just imagine having a garbage-can-sized barrel of your ex-thoroughbred's ashes on your mantle? Me either.
Perhaps spreading Willie's ashes would be better. Then he would be free, and we wouldn't have to think of him in "that jar" all the time. We'll see...it's Heather's choice.
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