How To Seal Your Urn: Easy Instructions And Tips

Are you planning to transfer ashes to an urn but are unsure about the sealing procedure? It’s important to have peace of mind about the security of the urn contents, but incorrect sealing techniques can damage or stain the vessel. This quick guide will help you determine whether or not you should seal the urn, which type of glue to use, and how to seal the urn without damaging it.  

 To Seal or Not to Seal

The question of whether or not to seal the urn depends on the type of urn you choose, as well as how you want to use it. Many urns – especially the ones made from metal – have a threaded cap that allows for easy opening and closing. Urns with threaded caps don’t necessarily require any glue or sealant but some families choose to add sealant anyways, especially if they decide to display the urn at home where children might find it.

Glass, ceramic, stone, and marble urns often come with a “loose” cap without threads. These caps often fit snugly but do not provide a permanent seal. In some cases, this is preferable: families that want to scatter the ashes later will be able to release the remains very easily. Some families (even if they choose not to scatter the ashes) might want the urn to remain open so they can slip notes with prayers and memories inside, a nice way to reconnect with the memory of a loved one on a special occasion.

Some urns have a very small opening, and sometimes this opening is too small to fit the entire bag of ashes. You might have to pour the ashes into the urn directly – unless you plan to scatter the ashes very soon, this type of urn will definitely require a permanent seal to keep moisture and air from mixing with the cremated remains.

Choosing the Right Glue

Your choice of glue will depend entirely on the material of your urn; what works for one urn might not work for another. Use metal epoxies for metal, ceramic epoxies for ceramic, etc. You can find glues for every material at your local hardware store, and sometimes even sporting goods stores.

Be aware that some glue tends to degrade or become brittle very quickly – this is often the case with craft and “general use” glues and epoxies, so try to avoid these formulas. Permeable materials (like untreated wood, unglazed ceramic, etc) require thicker and heavier glues, whereas nonporous materials are relatively easy to secure with just about any epoxy.

Heavy-duty epoxies and glues are great for permanent urn display, but they aren’t the best choice if you have picked out a biodegradable or natural urn for burial purposes. If you want to bury the urn in a natural location without a vault or sink it into a lake or ocean, you’ll want to put non-toxic at the top of your list of requirements, rather than seeking something for durability alone.

Tips and Technique

Before sealing the urn, read the sealant instructions to find out what you’ll need to remove any excess glue in case of a leak or spill – some epoxies set very quickly and don’t provide much cleanup time. You can avoid the problem of excess glue by applying in a “bead” pattern rather than a straight line. Apply toward the inside of the lip so that any visible glue will be on the inside rather than the outside. Have a wet rag on hand to immediately wipe away any excess after threading the cap.

Your local funeral home should be able to assist you with your urn, and most crematories will seal the urn directly after cremation if you request the service. You never have to purchase an urn from the funeral home or crematory you use. Never be afraid to ask for assistance when it comes to such an important undertaking.

Are you looking for last-minute advice and unsure about who to ask? Contact the store that sold you the urn. You can often gain access to thorough instructions and advice anywhere you can find memorial products.

Every family wants their urns to last forever – these items often become treasured heirlooms, reminding future generations about where they came from and facilitating discussion about the life and legacy of their fascinating family members. Why wait? Begin exploring your urn options today.