What is an urn in the context of cremation?

An urn, in the context of cremation, is a decorative container specifically designed to hold the cremated remains of a deceased individual. This container can come in various styles, materials, and sizes, often reflecting the preferences of the deceased or their family. Urns serve both a practical purpose, as a means of storing and preserving ashes, and an emotional one, providing a respectful and aesthetically pleasing way to remember and honor a loved one.

While burial caskets are designed for interment, and a receptacle for flowers or a vessel for transporting a body before cremation serves entirely different functions, the core purpose of an urn is distinctly tied to the aftercare of cremated remains. This makes the first option the most accurate representation of what an urn is within the context of cremation practices.