What is a companion urn?

It's an urn large enough to hold the ashes of two people in one memorial, sometimes called a double urn. The same extra capacity can also suit a single person who was larger than average.

How big should a companion urn be?

Use one cubic inch of capacity per pound of body weight, then add both people together. A 150-pound and a 200-pound person would need about 350 cubic inches. Companion urns generally range from 300 to 600 cubic inches.

Are the ashes mixed together or kept separate?

Either is possible. Single-chamber urns let the ashes rest commingled, while divided urns use an internal partition or two compartments to keep each person's ashes distinct. It's a personal choice, so decide before you buy.

Can a companion urn be personalized?

Often, yes. Many makers offer custom engraving, commonly both first names and a marriage date. It may be included or charged as an add-on, and inscriptions are frequently placed on a tag at the neck of the urn.

What materials are companion urns made from?

The most common are wood, brass, and other metals. Wood offers warmth and is easy to personalize, brass gives a bright, formal look, and metal urns are durable and a safe choice around children or pets.

Will a companion urn fit in a columbarium niche?

It depends on the niche. Companion urns are larger than standard ones, so always check the urn's outer dimensions against the niche's interior measurements before purchasing.

Cremation urns

The Best Companion Urns For Two

A companion urn keeps two people together, their ashes mingled in one chamber or resting side by side. These are our favorites, from handmade oak to a biodegradable whale for a shared sea release.

Our picks

My Favorite Companion Urns

Companion urns hold two people's ashes together, usually around 400 cubic inches, in one piece or two joined chambers.

Our favorite

Sonoma White Oak Companion Urn Box

$650

White oak from reclaimed wine barrels, with two chambers side by side. Warm, handmade and quietly beautiful.

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Dance Of Life Wooden Companion Urn

$1199

A sculptural wooden piece with two forms entwined, made as a visible celebration of a shared life.

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Dance Of Life Bronze & Blue Companion Urn

$1199

The Dance of Life in bronze and blue, for families who want the same symbolism in metal.

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Large Whale Biodegradable Water Companion Urn

$420

A biodegradable whale sized for two, for a shared release at sea.

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Lexington Family Sharing Urn Box

$250

A barrel-wood sharing box with divided portions, an affordable way to keep two together.

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Products link to You Are Forever, our sister memorial store, or to partners; we may earn from qualifying purchases. Prices shown were current when this guide was updated.

What a companion urn is

A companion urn holds the ashes of two people, usually spouses or partners, either mingled in a single chamber or side by side in two. Standard companion capacity is around 400 cubic inches, roughly double an adult urn.

One chamber or two

Single-chamber urns mingle the ashes permanently, which many couples explicitly want. Dual-chamber urns keep each person's ashes separate, which suits families who may later divide or inter them. If the urn will be filled years apart, a dual chamber makes the second filling simpler.

Practical points

Check niche dimensions before buying if the urn is bound for a columbarium, since companion urns are larger than most niches expect. And if one partner is still living, most makers will engrave the second inscription later, so ask when you order.

FAQ