Replies

1. 
   joinerswork | Feb 25, 2008 05:35pm | #1

   Jigs,

   Generically, all I've heard them called is urns, per the title of your thread.  Even when they are not urn shaped.

   The undertakers call the ashes "cremains", tho everyone I've talked to who has had a relative cremated calls them "ashes".

   Ray

2. 
   Disputantum | Feb 26, 2008 05:47am | #2

   The only words I can come up with are "ossuary" (place to keep bones) and "casket" (jewelry box), but neither of those really fit.

   ne sutor ultra crepidam

3. 
   Bobro | Feb 26, 2008 10:56am | #3

   Well, the general term is "cinerary urn".

   The most precise term for a specifically wooden urn is probably from the Greek. Urns are named after the shape/general use (supposedly) but I believe that we've got the opinions of millenia of art historians mixed in, so you'll see a cinerary urn referred to as Hydrae because it's shaped like a water vessel, etc. Who knows, but there are naming conventions today, however they came about.

   I'm willing to bet that if you've got a very big dictionary and browse through the pages where there's xy- and xylo- prefixes, you'll find your word (xy(lo)- referring to "wood", as in xylophone).

   -Cameron Bobro

1. 
   TampaTom | Feb 27, 2008 12:18am | #4

   The Trappist monks at TrappistCasket.com have no problem calling them urns...http://www.trappistcaskets.com/products.aspTom Iovino

   Tom's Workbench

   http://tomsworkbench.com

4. 
   user-67934 | Feb 27, 2008 02:38am | #5

   "Reliquary."  That's the $5 name the local woodworking guild gave to the urn in our raffle prize giveaway.  I suppose it makes it sound less funeral like.

1. 
   joinerswork | Feb 27, 2008 03:16am | #6

   Tony,

   Especially if you considered grandpa to be a relic...

   Ray

1. 
   WillGeorge | Feb 27, 2008 07:30pm | #8

   Especially if you considered grandpa to be a relic...LOL I'm still sort of alive and bet the kids think I'm a relic...

5. 
   Jimurock | Feb 27, 2008 04:26am | #7

   As suggested, cinerary urn is the term for a vessel for cremated remains, but is not specific to wood.  Traditional urns were earthenware or metal.  Reliquary, from reliquiae -- human remains -- is more general, not specific to cremation.

   Jim