Designing Urn Vases for Flower Tributes

When honoring a loved one, families often seek ways to blend form, function, and symbolism. One of the most meaningful and elegant design trends in memorialization is the urn vase—a vessel that serves both as a resting place for ashes and as a centerpiece for floral tributes. This thoughtful design allows families to express memory through beauty, integrating flowers, shape, and structure into a deeply personal tribute.

In this guide, we explore the design principles behind urn vases, their emotional and aesthetic appeal, and how to choose or create one that suits your family’s style, budget, and memorial setting.

An urn vase is a cremation urn with a built-in or adjoining section designed to hold flowers. Some include a removable vase insert, while others have integrated openings or dual chambers. This hybrid design merges the utility of a traditional cremation urn with the emotional expression of a floral arrangement—an enduring symbol of love, life, and transformation.

Urn vases can be used in homes, at memorial services, in mausoleums, or even in scattering ceremonies where flowers are used as part of a symbolic send-off.

1. Symbolic Layers
   Flowers symbolize life, remembrance, and renewal. When combined with an urn, they evoke a powerful duality of love and loss, beauty and permanence.

2. Design Aesthetic
   For many families, urns that resemble decorative vases or art objects blend more seamlessly into home environments.

3. Seasonal and Rotational Tribute
   Fresh flowers, dried bouquets, or even artificial arrangements allow you to continuously update the tribute throughout the year.

4. Multipurpose Functionality
   Especially in home memorials or altars, urn vases serve both emotional and aesthetic purposes—encouraging interaction and ongoing remembrance.

The vase portion is built into the top of the urn. Often found in ceramic or marble designs, this structure mimics a traditional flower vase while securely housing ashes in a lower compartment.

These have separate, sealable chambers: one for ashes, one for floral arrangements or dried stems. Ideal for those wanting to preserve the ashes while actively engaging with the display.

Some urns feature a removable flower tube or metal insert that sits within a sculpted recess, allowing families to water flowers without disturbing the remains.

Modern urn vases may incorporate asymmetrical or abstract shapes that look like contemporary sculpture. These are perfect for families seeking something discreet, beautiful, and emotionally resonant.

• Lilies – Symbolize peace, grace, and purity

• Roses – Love, devotion, and memory

• Chrysanthemums – Honor and remembrance in many cultures

• Lavender – Calming and spiritual

• Orchids – Enduring beauty and reverence

• Wildflowers – Represent spontaneity and natural life

For dried arrangements, eucalyptus, baby’s breath, and preserved roses last especially well.

When selecting an urn vase, consider the following:

• Material: Ceramic and marble lend themselves well to classic vase forms. Wood urns can be paired with glass or metal flower inserts.

• Size: Choose based on how many ashes need to be stored. Most full-size urns hold 180–220 cubic inches.

• Color and Finish: Match the urn to the home’s aesthetic or the loved one’s personality—natural tones, minimalist black, marble textures, or engraved finishes.

• Stability: Ensure the piece is heavy or stable enough to safely hold flowers and water without tipping.

• Indoor vs Outdoor Use: If placing outdoors, select weather-resistant materials like bronze, stone, or sealed marble.

• Engraving: Add names, dates, or quotes directly to the urn or its base.

• Personalized Inlays: Choose urns with inlaid metals, glass, or resin panels.

• Photographic Panels: Some urn vases can include a photo frame or image display.

• Removable Components: Request modular designs that allow you to separate the flower portion from the ashes for travel or reconfiguration.

Explore Oaktree Memorials’ artisan urn collection, many of which can accommodate flowers or be paired with memorial displays.

Urn vases are perfect focal points for celebration-of-life services. Consider placing them:

• At the altar or memory table, surrounded by candles and framed photos

• On a pedestal near the guestbook

• With seasonal or themed floral arrangements based on your loved one’s favorite blooms or colors

Some families even invite guests to place a single flower in the vase during the service, creating a collective tribute.

• For fresh flowers, refresh water every few days and trim stems

• Use floral foam or frog inserts to keep arrangements secure

• Clean the vase section regularly to avoid buildup or odor

• For dried flowers, gently dust with a soft brush every few weeks

• If displaying outdoors, check for signs of weathering and reseal materials as needed

Urn vases come in a range of prices depending on material and craftsmanship:

• Under $100: Small, simple ceramic urns with basic flower holders

• $150–$300: Artisan-crafted wood or metal urns with integrated design features

• $400+: Custom, sculptural, or hand-thrown urns made by independent artists

Families can also repurpose traditional urns with add-ons like removable flower tubes or pedestal displays that hold arrangements alongside the urn.

Urn vases transform the way we view memorials. Instead of being hidden away, they invite connection—bringing beauty, memory, and ritual into everyday life. They provide an elegant solution for families who want their loved one’s memory to remain present, not just preserved.

By combining the symbolism of flowers with the permanence of an urn, this design approach honors life in full bloom and gives loved ones a reason to pause, reflect, and celebrate.

Whether placed on a dining room shelf, a garden pedestal, or a mantle beneath a favorite painting, urn vases invite beauty into remembrance. They are a reminder that grief is not only about sorrow, but also about love, color, and life’s ongoing presence.

At Oaktree Memorials, we believe memorials should be both artful and heartfelt. That’s why we offer a collection of modern urns designed to be lived with—not hidden away. If you’re considering an urn vase for your home or ceremony, we’re here to help you find one that reflects your values, your style, and your loved one’s legacy.