15 Creative Urn Displays at Funeral Ideas

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Are you looking for inspiration to create an urn display that not only honors your loved one but also reflects their unique life story? Crafting an urn display that captures the essence of a loved one’s life can be an emotional task.

Whether you opt for a simple or elaborate setup, these choices are deeply personal. The key is to create an urn display that resonates with the individuality of the person you’re remembering.

The Importance of an Urn Display

An urn display at a funeral does more than hold the remains of a loved one; it serves as a symbolic reminder of their spirit and the impact of their departure. Let’s understand the essence of urn displays at funerals:

A Symbol of Presence: An urn display provides a poignant focus for the service, a point around which friends and family can center their thoughts and emotions. It offers a place for eyes to linger, for hands to touch, and for the presence of the departed to be felt once more.
A Storyteller of Life: Beyond its role as a container, the urn display helps tell the story of the person it honors. The selection of the urn, the choice of flowers or mementos, and the arrangement of photographs are chapters in a story that unfolds for all to see and remember.
A Vessel for Emotion: The urn display becomes a shared space for the expression of grief and the celebration of life. It is here that the community can express their sorrow, find shared comfort, and perhaps a sense of closure as they reflect on the significance of the life that has passed.
A Cultural and Personal Statement: The urn display can reflect the deceased’s cultural heritage, religious beliefs, or personal values. It can conform to traditional practices or redefine them, serving as a testament to the individual’s way of life and philosophy.

How Do You Display a Funeral Urn?

A funeral urn can be displayed on a sturdy table or pedestal, often draped with elegant fabric. It’s typically adorned with meaningful items such as photographs, flowers, or personal mementos that reflect the life and interests of the departed. The display should be in a prominent but secure location where attendees can view and approach it without obstruction.

What is the Proper Placement of an Urn?

The proper placement of an urn during a funeral service is typically at the front of the room, serving as a focal point for the ceremony. It should be easily visible to all attendees, often elevated on a table or stand. The placement should respect any cultural or religious practices and reflect the wishes of the deceased or their family.

Is it Bad Feng Shui to Keep Ashes in the House?

In feng shui, keeping ashes in the house is generally discouraged as it may symbolize stagnant energy and hinder the emotional process of moving forward. However, if it brings comfort, it’s essential to place the urn in a respectful, quiet area such as a home altar, ensuring it’s not in direct line with the main door or a busy part of the home.

Planning the Urn Display: Considerations and Steps

When planning an urn display for a funeral service, each decision contributes to creating a space that honors the deceased and facilitates a meaningful experience for the mourners. Here’s a detailed approach to ensure the display is thoughtfully prepared and respectful:

Urn Display: Understanding the Venue

Space Layout: Visit the venue well in advance to understand its ambiance and layout. Take note of the dimensions of the area designated for the urn display, ensuring ample space for additional elements such as flowers, photographs, or keepsakes. Consider the line of sight from various seating positions and the entry point to ensure all attendees have an unobstructed view of the urn display.
Focal Points: Identify architectural features or furniture within the venue that naturally draw attention. A grand piano, a large fireplace, or an elegant podium can be ideal locations for the urn display. The chosen spot should feel integrated into the space, allowing the urn to stand out without feeling out of place.
Accessibility: The urn display should be easily approachable for those who wish to pay their respects up close. However, it should not be in a high-traffic area where it might be bumped or disturbed. Consider creating a clear path to the display, marked by ropes or floral arrangements, to guide attendees.

Urn Display: Reflecting the Deceased’s Wishes

Pre-arrangements: If the deceased had made specific requests for their funeral service, these should be your guiding principles. This might include the type of urn, the color scheme for the urn display, or even the music to be played in the background. Respecting these wishes is paramount in creating a display that reflects the person’s desires.
Personal Artifacts: Choose items that had significant sentimental value to the deceased. This could be a favorite watch, a cherished piece of jewelry, or a handwritten letter. Display these items carefully, perhaps on a separate table draped in a fabric that complements the urn or within protective glass cases.
Theme Consistency: Ensure that any theme chosen is evident throughout the urn display. If the deceased loved the sea, for instance, use shades of blue and green, sand textures, and seashells to unify the display elements. Consistency helps in creating a cohesive and immersive experience.

blue flowers cover the forest floor at Better Place Forests. A beautiful place to have an urn display at funeral

Creative Urn Display Ideas

There’s no right way to display an urn. Urn displays can be as unique as your loved one. Below, we share 15 respectful ideas for urn displays, each designed to celebrate your loved one’s life.

1. Urn Display: Floral Theme

Surround the urn with floral arrangements, using locally sourced and seasonal flowers. flowers can act as an expression of love, comfort, sympathy, and respect and help express feelings that are emotionally difficult to put into words,

2. Urn Display: Natural Wood

Craft an urn stand from sustainable wood, providing a warm and natural setting for the urn. The wood’s texture and grain add a touch of tranquility and reverence, connecting the display to the natural world. Surround it with a circle of ivy or ferns to bring the serenity of nature indoors.

3. Urn Display: Memory Table

Create a memory table for your urn display featuring the urn alongside cherished photographs, letters, and personal items. This intimate setup allows family members to reflect on cherished life moments.

4. Urn Display: Living Plants

Incorporate living plants into the urn display, such as potted succulents, ferns or saplings. These plants symbolize life and renewal.

5. Urn Display: Candles

Arrange candles around the urn to create a peaceful ambience. Battery operated candles are a great flameless alternative and many of them can be customized to celebrate the loss of your loved one.

6. Urn Display: Quilt

Consider using a handmade quilt as a backdrop for the urn display, which adds a personal touch weaving together your loved one’s life story.

7. Urn Display: Wreath

Adorn the urn display with a wreath made out of natural materials like greens, flowers and twigs. Or get even more creative and add whimsical elements that reflect their interests or hobbies.

8. Urn Display: Photo Collage

Create a photographic collage that tells the story of your loved one’s life. Arrange the photos around the urn, offering a visual journey through their most cherished moments.

9. Urn Display: Memory Book

Place a memory book at the urn display where attendees can write down and share their favorite memories. The collection will be a treasured reminder of your loved one.

10. Urn Display: Books

Surround the urn by placing your loved one’s favorite novels and literary works, turning the urn display into a reflection of their interests and passions.

11. Urn Display: Music

Place a speaker next to the urn to project your loved one’s favorite music or recordings of music they played.

12. Urn Display: Living Memorial

Opt for a biodegradable urn that incorporates a seedling or seeds for a tree can be presented with a photo collage of the loved one in their favorite natural setting. This symbolizes the new life that will grow from the memorial, continuing their legacy.

13. Urn Display: Personal Items

Place personal items like glasses, a favorite hat or watch on display–any identifying items that they always wore to make the urn display even more personable to who they were.

14. Urn Display: Water

Place the urn near a small water feature, such as a tabletop fountain. The gentle sound of flowing water creates a calming atmosphere, offering a sense of peace.

15. Urn Display: Nature-Inspired

An urn woven from seagrass or other sustainable materials can be placed in a rustic setting on a burlap cloth surrounded by arrangements of dried lavender and wildflowers, evoking the simplicity and warmth of country living.

Honoring Your Loved One

While death can be challenging to navigate, arranging an urn display allows you to honor and cherish the positive impact a loved one has had on your life. Whether you are planning on turning your loved one’s ashes into a memorial tree or still exploring meaningful options for your creation ashes, we’re here to help guide you.