Cremation Urns by Artists: Cherish Your Loved One in Handcrafted Cremation Urns by Artists

Cremation urns by artists are as unique as your loved one. They come in any medium you can think of from wood, ceramic, stone, glass, even paper and recycled materials. When you are looking for cremation urns by artists, start with materials or artists you are familiar with or that you like, and then see what's available. In many cases, artists will make a custom cremation urn if you contact them directly.

What is an urn?

Dictionary definitions of the word do not evoke very profound sentiments. It is described as a large vase, usually with a narrow neck above a pedestal with feet. Historically, urns go as far back in time as the first manmade containers do. Funeral urns have been discovered that have been dated as far back in time as 3000 AD. These were the first cremation urns by artists or craftsmen.

The most celebrated urn in history is the one immortalized in the poem by John Keats. "Ode on a Grecian Urn," written in 1819, is one of Keats' most beloved and quoted poems. "Sylvan historian," he writes, "who canst thus express a flowery tale more sweetly than our rhyme." Those two lines from this great poem express perfectly the qualities of cremation urns by artists today.

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In the past decade, interest in cremation as an alternative to the older Western tradition of burial has grown at an exponential rate. Today, it is the choice of nearly half of those whose loved ones have passed on. In response to demand, designs of cremation urns have created literally thousands of commercially produced urns for cremation. These range in price and quality from inexpensive, unadorned plastic or cardboard containers to beautifully designed and crafted artist designed urns. The best of these can only be described as works of art that are worthy of display in galleries.

Finding Cremation Urns by Artists

There would arguably be very few artist designed funeral urns if not for the Internet. Unlike the market for vases and other handcrafted vessels, the market for ceramic cremation urns or wooden cremation urns occupies a very small niche and, as any artist or craftsman can tell you, the market for their creations is already a small one. However, the increased worldwide demand for urns for ashes combined with the global reach of a website gives artists the opportunity to effectively introduce themselves and their creations to the global marketplace.

There are a few ways to find cremation urns by artists online. One of them is to browse the larger cremation containers websites. Some of them feature urns by artists in their collections. If you have not yet begun looking for a cremation urn, this may be the best way to start. You will be amazed by the variety and quality of the commercially produced urns on the market. One of these may appeal to you. If not, one of their featured artist created vessels may.

Another way to find cremation urns by artists is to look at the artist's individual websites. Many wood, ceramic, stone, glass and other artists and artisans feature cremation urns on their websites and you can judge whether their particular style appeals to you. If they do not feature cremation urns, a quick email to the artist is all it will take to discover if they are interested in creating one for you. One site that features both fabric artworks and ceramic cremation urns by a Santa Barbara, California couple is Adcock Studios.

A third way to find cremation urns by artists is through artist collective websites, where a group of artists display their cremation boxes and urns together. One such site is Funeria.

This beautifully designed website features unique works by hundreds of artists. Many of these pieces have been displayed throughout the country at the director's annual "Ashes to Art" exhibitions.

Another site, Cremation Urns of Vermont, features works by wood, ceramic and stone craftspersons in the state of Vermont.

Why Choose Cremation Urns by Artists?

At a time when you wish to remember someone you loved, there is no better way to do it than by celebrating their lives with a work of art created specifically for the occasion. Keats wrote in his "Ode on a Grecian Urn": "When old age shall this generation waste, Thou shalt remain." The cremation urn is our last physical reminder of a loved one. If it is a beautiful work of art, it will always inspire our fondest memories.

Whether you are looking for wooden urns for ashes or other materials, cremation urns by artists do often cost more than commercially produced cremation containers. However, you may be surprised by how affordable they can be. If you are looking for cremation boxes or urns, at least have a look at what these artists have to offer. Just viewing these exquisite pieces is inspiring and uplifting.