Cremation urns are made of many different types of materials, from bronze and copper to stainless steel to various species of hardwood.

Many urns can be personalized, thereby offering a visual record of a life lived. In addition to names, birth dates, and death dates, a favorite activity, sport, or hobby, fraternal organization, or military emblem can also be engraved on the cremation urn.

Until the urn is personalized, it's just a container. After it's personalized, it serves as a permanent memorial--a lasting tribute to the life that was lived.

Keepsake urns are smaller urns that hold a portion of the cremated remains.They range in design from very simple to very detailed works of art.

The concept behind the keepsake is to allow each family member to have a small amount of the cremated remains to create a personal memorial.

This is particularly important when scattering is chosen as the method of final disposition for the cremated remains, or for families and friends separated by distance.