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The Woodworking Life

Making a Crematory Urn Box: Part I

comments (15) May 9th, 2012 in blogs

Doug Stowe, Contributing author

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Photo one shows cutting box material into two equal lengths.

Photo: Doug Stowe

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Making a Crematory Urn: Part One

You may think of an urn as being more like a vase, but according to all things Google, a box can be an urn, too! Many of the wooden boxes available for purchase could be described as cheesy at best. So I designed this simple lift lid box to contain the plastic box housing the ashes of the husband of a friend. The sides are 9/16 in. thick walnut and the top and is curly ash. The corners are mitered and keyed with the same ash used for the top. The bottom panel is 1/4 in. Baltic birch plywood, glued in place to give the box additional strength.

My method for making boxes is simple and direct and evolved from many years of box making in my own shop but also from many years of teaching box making to students at various woodworking schools. My students have always been great at challenging my methods and proposing alternative techniques. I know these techniques work to make boxes quickly, and accurately... boxes that express care in the making, and these same techniques can be used to make other boxes as well... Graduation gifts, for example.

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posted in: blogs, how to, , walnut, ash, box making, crematory urn

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Comments (15)

chief38 writes: My brother-inlaw and I made the box urn for my father in 2010. One of the things we found, was that if it is eventually intered in the ground take into consideration the vault sizes available. We had to go up in size on the vault due to lenth of the box.
Posted: 2:57 pm on May 20th

artagain writes: My mom passed in October of last year. My sisters asked me to make the urn. Being a novice woodworker I was a little apprehensive. But thanks to the prior box making video on this site and articles written by Doug in FWW's back issues, I was able to make something that everyone was impressed with. I used curly maple for the sides and figured walnut for the keys and an inset in the top. Thanks Doug (and FWW), you've been a big help.
Posted: 7:38 am on May 19th

DougStowe writes: Retired08, the simple router table was a thing I came up with in the days when router tables were first coming into vogue. I've never seen the need for a larger one, and I can make a new special purpose fence for mine in minutes. I even have a fence that allows me to make turned shaker knobs on the router table. I'm glad you've found yours so useful. The completely surprising thing is that you can make one in under an hour that can last years.
Posted: 11:28 am on May 15th

retired08 writes: I made the small router table you show in this article and in your book. Using a small PC router. The simplicity and accuracy of the pivoting fence is pretty cool and being able to clamp it into my end vise makes it quick and easy to run small pieces. It's much quicker to set up then the larger router table I built into my tablesaw that uses the rip fence. Thanks!
Posted: 8:35 am on May 15th

JTDoyle writes: What a great and fitting parting gift for a loved one. My mother wishes to be cremated and i think i shall make one for her.
Posted: 4:28 am on May 13th

vinfonet writes: How nice to know this is a common practice. Last year when my father in law died, I built a box for him and a matching one for my still living mother in law. I had a large plate engraved for the top for a very reasonable fee, inlaid a banding of crosses and reinforced the mitered edges with chevrons. As he was from Peru, I used Peruvian mahogany. The box is permanently sealed and is flanked with solid brass handles. A very nice way to give honor to the departed. My wife's family was so greatful for the gesture. Such a gift carries so much meaning for the family.
Posted: 12:20 pm on May 12th

ebergh writes: I have created a number of similar boxes over the year for family pets who have been cremated. Rather than a hinged top, I have used a removable bottom, set into a rabbet around the bottom edges, held in with small brass flat head screws. Both Woodcraft and Klockkit can provide small brass engraved name plates to nail or screw on.
Posted: 11:25 am on May 12th

granit1 writes: i,v read all of the comments posted,i would like to say to all that have built an urn, or even a box, give yourself a pat on the back. here lately my wifes best frind past, i was asked if i would build an urn for the family,they could not afford to buy a comercial made urn,(very expencive). i felt a little bit proud they asked me to build it. doug i,v read all your writeings and some, i,v made many mistakes but i look at it as a learnig experiance.the project,what ever it my be is there in the wood,i "we"just have to bring it out. thank you to all for helping me improve my wood working, now lets go bend some nails
Posted: 10:45 am on May 12th

DougStowe writes: Here in Arkansas, many old-timers would make their own caskets and keep them in the barn until needed. I suppose it was a way of coming to terms with their own mortality. There is a book out about making your own casket. Who would have thought it would be such a hit?

In any case, making a crematory urn (or any other box) is a good excuse to spend time in the wood shop, working with tools, hands, and beautiful woods. Can anything get better than that?
Posted: 9:32 am on May 12th

retired08 writes: This may seem to be on the morbid side of cremation urns but I've done several of them and wondered about sizing them. According to an undertaker friend of mine it takes about 1 cubic inch of volume inside the box for every pound of weight. I have one client who has an urn ready not only for herself, but for her mother who's still alive. Currently they're decorative items sitting in the daughter's home. Pre-planning is good right?
Posted: 9:18 am on May 12th

rchorne writes: Doug, I have been intending to write to thank you for your techniques for building the perfect box. I have made quite a few over the past several years, mostly keepsake boxes but also several jewelry boxes with small drawers or hidden compartments. I have shaped the profiles using bandsawing, routing, and hand work...mostly hand work. I have also made a couple of rectangular urns for family members similar to the one you describe here. I am currently building an urn for my mother-in-law with six curved sides and access through the bottom. Again, thank you so much for your inspirations, Bob
Posted: 8:49 am on May 12th

slow_joe writes: You couldn't be more timely with this posting. I spent last Saturday working on a crematory box (I have 2 of your books on boxes). My first one, and I botched it - so I'll probably start over using some of the ideas you're posting here. I'm especially interested in making sure there is a place for pictures in the box - possibly to be displayed open during the service. Thanks so much for what you do - big fan. Joe
Posted: 8:25 am on May 12th

bb47 writes: I've learned many valuable lessons about boxes reading your books and articles. Having made several cremation urns for family and friends, all of which will hold the ashes of both husband and wife. I'm curious about dimensions both inside and out, as I've had to guesstimate from information on the web. By the way, my boxes all have lids with wooden hinges and front clasps. I used your technique of assembling the box and seperating the lid afterwards. Works great.
Posted: 6:17 am on May 12th

DougStowe writes: I have done them that way as well, but in this case decided that a bit of empty space at the top could be used for letters or photos of the deceased, and also that the box might later be useful for other things if someone in the family chose to do something else with the ashes, whether distribution from a mountaintop, interment in the garden, or burial at sea.

Thanks for asking.
Posted: 3:07 pm on May 10th

MichaelMurphy writes: Looks like it's going to be a beautiful expression of love for your friend. Being in the funeral business I'm only asking why you are having a removable lid? Almost all the products I work with are filled thru the base. Please don't take my question as anything other then admiration for your art. Sorry for your loss, Michael
Posted: 1:51 pm on May 10th

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