Heart Shaped Urns for Ashes - A Meaningful Memorial

The History of Heart Shaped Urns

Heart shaped urns have become a popular choice for storing the ashes of departed loved ones. The heart shape evokes strong emotions and connections, making these urns a fitting memorial. However, heart shaped urns have an interesting history that not many may be aware of.

Use of the Heart Symbol in Ancient Cultures

The heart symbol dates back thousands of years, appearing in the artistic works and cultural artifacts of ancient civilizations across the world. From Egypt to Mesoamerica, the heart was used to represent love, vida, and the soul's journey to the afterlife after death.

Many ancient cultures placed great spiritual significance on the heart organ itself. The Ancient Egyptians, for example, believed the heart held a person's soul and personality. When mummifying their dead, they took great care to preserve the heart in place rather than removing it like other organs.

Introduction of Cremation Practices

The rise of cremation as an increasingly common funeral practice brought in urns designed to hold ashes. As families sought memorial art and urns suited to honor passed loved ones, heart themes began emerging as a preference.

By the early 20th century, advancements in mass production helped to popularize heart-themed cemetery art like gravestones and ash urns. The heart motif resonated with those grieving a loss and also fit well into funerary art.

Why Heart Shaped Urns Connect with People

Today, heart shaped cremation urns appeal to many families planning memorial services and a final resting place for a loved one's ashes. The symbolism and meaning behind the familiar heart shape make it a natural fit for honoring lost loved ones.

A heart shaped urn conveys love - whether it's love for your passed family member, friend, or cherished pet. Displaying an urn in the shape of a heart symbolizes that a loved one remains in your heart always. The urn itself is shaped like the place where you carry love and emotional connections.

The heart also has deep cultural and spiritual meaning relating to live and afterlife. Just as we associate hearts with love and romance, placing ashes within a heart-shaped vessel can represent that relationship continuing on past physical death.

Modern Design Styles of Heart Urns

Heart shaped cremation containers now come in an array of styles to suit personalities, aesthetic tastes, cultural backgrounds, and settings they'll be displayed in. Here are some of the many modern variations people can choose from:

Classic Elegant Designs

Traditionally styled heart urns often feature decorative elements from the Victorian era or resemble antique lockets. Ornate detailing, filigree, portrait frames,intricate rose carvings, and other sophisticated adornments give them a formal, elegant memorial look.

Minimalist Contemporary Pieces

For a more modern, minimalist appearance, many heart cremation urns feature very subtle or no ornamental additions. Sleek, plain heart-shaped vessels in polished metals or natural stones channel contemporary sensibilities.

Personalization Options

Some modern heart urns allow you to add custom laser engraving to feature the loved one's name, special dates or messages, images like portraits or symbols, and more. Being able to personalize the vessel makes it even more meaningful.

Alternative Materials

While fine metals and wood remain go-to urn materials, more unique and unconventional materials emerge in response to demand. You can now find handcrafted artisan heart urns in stained glass, ceramics, sculpted sandstone, and even 3D printed acrylics.

Biodegradable and Scatter Urns

Special biodegradable heart urns allow you to bury or scatter ashes while having the vessel harmlessly break down over time. Popular for green burials or spreading ashes in nature.

Jewelry and Keepsake Pieces

Mini heart pendants, charms, and pocket tokens make it possible to carry a tiny bit of ashes anywhere while keeping bigger urn in a stationary memorial location.

Where to Find Heart Shaped Ashes Urns

When shopping for the perfect heart urn for your loved one, look to reputable memorial providers. Online retailers offer convenient browsing of designs and can handle fulfillment and shipping for you.

Be sure to verify credibility and product quality before purchase. The National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) provides a directory of thoroughly vetted, respected vendors.

You can also check with local funeral homes and mortuaries on sourcing heart cremation urns from their suppliers. These businesses often have high standards for memorial goods from their network.

Choosing a heart urn for ashes can make saying goodbye just a little easier. Each time you see that meaningful shape, it reiterates that your loved one remains close - in your heart and memories.

FAQs

Why would I choose a heart shaped urn?

The heart shape is a universally recognized symbol of love, evoking strong emotions and connections. Heart urns meaningfully represent continuing bonds between you and your late loved one while remembering them with something iconic.

How do I personalize a heart cremation urn?

Most heart urns, especially those found online, can be customized with laser engraving to feature personalized messages, images, portraits, memorial titles, and other special details.

Are heart urns only for spouses?

No! Heart urns can memorialize anyone you had a close bond with like parents, family, siblings, friends, and now even beloved pets. They signify special love, not just romantic love.

Are heart shaped urns expensive?

Heart urn prices range quite a bit, making them affordable for most budgets. Smaller mini heart urns can be $30-$50 while elaborate metal, stone, or crystal urns may cost $200+. Browse options within your intended price range.

How do I display a heart urn?

You can proudly display a heart urn on a mantel or shelf. As memorial art, they can be showcased in your home, garden, cemetery niche or mausoleum space. Those with a biodegradable option can even be buried in a green cemetery plot.