Losing a loved one can bring about many unexpected alterations and challenges that you need to face.

One essential part of the grieving process that can often catch the mourner off-guard is handling the deceased’s ashes after the funeral and transferring them to the cremation urn.

Here is a step-by-step guide to help you perform the rituals involved in transferring the ashes into a burial or cremation urn.

Rituals to Transfer Ashes to a Burial or Cremation Urn

If you are going to transfer the ashes to the memorial cremation urn or vessel from the plastic bag, here are some guidelines.

1. Gather the following materials:

  • Your selected box or urn of the right size
  • A towel or newspaper piece
  • A level and flat working surface in a well-lit region that is undisturbed by breeze or wind
  • Scissors
  • A large funnel
  • Gloves to avoid getting ashes on the skin
  • Sealant if the container you choose requires a permanent seal

2. Prepare the region for the transfer:

  • Spread the newspaper or the towel on the flat working surface or table
  • Place the empty box or cremation urn on top of the newspaper or towel and remove the lid
  • Place the funnel into the urn opening

3. Now follow these three steps for transferring the ashes:

  • Ensure that the original plastic bag is closed or sealed with tight ties on either of the ends.
  • At one corner, cut a hole diagonally, which creates a tiny spout, and through that, you can pour the ashes in a controlled way.
  • Slowly pour the remains through the funnel and into the box or urn and gently tap the funnel against the urn for the ashes to settle.

You can also place the entire tied or sealed original bag of ashes inside the box or cremation urn. Just remove the plastic bag from the original delivery box and place it inside the urn of your choice and close the lid.

How to Transfer Ashes to Biodegradable or Scattering Urns

You may wish to transfer ashes from the original bag to the scattering or biodegradable urn. This procedure or funeral ritual requires a bit of precision than moving to the larger display urns simply because these tend to be smaller vessels in most cases.

Once you have the scattering or biodegradable urn of your choice, make sure to choose a level or flat working surface in an area without much disturbance from the wind but with good lighting conditions. Go for a smaller-sized funnel that is fit for the opening of the chosen scattering or biodegradable urn.

Prepare the area by covering the flat working surface with a paper or towel and then follow the 3 steps mentioned above. Once you have completed the transfer, store the container in a safe place until the ceremony.

In this case, remember that the glue is not necessary for the biodegradable or scattering urns, as these containers won’t remain sealed permanently. They will either be reopened during the scattering ceremony or decompose naturally in the ground.

By following these steps, you can transfer ashes to any cremation urn of your choice. You just need to adjust and modify your method or process according to the size and type of the containers or urns you choose.