

Mini keepsake urns offer a beautiful way to share ashes with those closest to the person who’s passed. They allow for personal expression, strengthen family bonds, and offer a physical connection to memory.
When a loved one passes, their memory lives on in the hearts of many. Often, the desire to keep a tangible piece of that memory isn’t limited to one person. Mini keepsake urns offer a meaningful solution—small, beautiful vessels that allow multiple family members or friends to hold a portion of their loved one’s ashes.
These tiny urns are more than scaled-down versions of traditional ones. They are symbols of closeness, love, and shared remembrance. Whether you’re a family planning a memorial or a funeral professional helping clients navigate their options, understanding the role of mini keepsake urns can be essential in honoring someone’s legacy.
This post explores how mini urns work, why families choose them, design considerations, personalization options, and how they fit into modern memorial practices.
What Are Mini Keepsake Urns?
Mini keepsake urns—also called sharing urns—are small containers, typically 2–5 inches tall, designed to hold a symbolic portion of cremated remains. While a full-sized urn may contain all or most of a person’s ashes, mini urns are meant to distribute a smaller amount to multiple individuals.
They are often used in addition to the primary urn and can be:
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Displayed at home
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Stored in a keepsake box or drawer
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Worn as a pendant (in the case of cremation jewelry)
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Used during scattering ceremonies
These urns are especially popular for families with siblings, grandchildren, or extended relatives who each want a personal connection to the departed.
Why Choose Mini Keepsake Urns?
1. Shared Remembrance
Grief is deeply personal, but loss is often felt by an entire family or community. Mini urns allow each person to keep a meaningful piece of the loved one close—whether they live nearby or across the world.
2. Flexibility for Scattering
Some families choose to scatter the majority of ashes in a meaningful location (ocean, forest, garden) but keep a small amount behind. Mini urns offer a respectful way to preserve a portion of remains after a scattering ceremony.
3. Personalized Tributes
Every person had a different relationship with the loved one. Mini urns allow for unique engravings or styles to reflect individual connections—one might say “Dad,” another “Grandpa,” while others include dates, quotes, or symbols.
4. Heirloom Potential
These urns often become cherished heirlooms. Children or grandchildren who didn’t know the person well during life can still hold a piece of family legacy and identity through their mini urn.
Design Styles and Materials
Today’s keepsake urns come in a variety of designs to match different personalities and aesthetics. Options include:
Wooden Mini Urns
Warm and timeless, wood urns like The Madison bring a natural elegance to any memorial space. Common wood choices include walnut, oak, and cherry, each with distinctive grain patterns.
Metal and Brass Urns
Often finished in silver, gold, bronze, or pewter, metal urns offer durability and shine. Some include delicate inlays, etchings, or cloisonné designs for added visual interest.
Glass and Ceramic Mini Urns
Hand-blown glass or artist-crafted ceramics turn mini urns into one-of-a-kind art pieces. These are popular for clients who value artisan quality and visual impact.
Stone or Marble Urns
Heavy and enduring, stone urns offer gravitas and texture. They're especially appropriate for permanent home memorials or display on shared family altars.
Each material has its own emotional resonance, whether you’re aiming for modern minimalism or rustic warmth.
Personalization Options
Families often choose to personalize mini urns to reflect their loved one’s legacy. Some ideas include:
Engraving names and dates
Favorite quotes or sayings
Symbols like hearts, crosses, or nature motifs
Photographs or fingerprints (etched or printed)
Many products on Oaktree Memorials offer built-in personalization, making it easy to create a keepsake that feels deeply individual.
For families ordering multiple mini urns, you may choose:
Identical urns for unity
Differing engravings to match each relationship
Color variations to represent favorite hues or themes
When to Present Mini Urns
Distributing mini urns can be a powerful moment in itself. Some families:
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Present them during or after the memorial service
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Wrap them as keepsake gifts for grandchildren
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Offer them at family reunions or anniversary events
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Store them in a shared family box to be opened together
If you're a funeral director, consider offering presentation boxes or velvet pouches to elevate the moment.
Using Mini Urns in Scattering Ceremonies
If scattering ashes is part of your plan, mini urns can also serve a logistical role. Instead of having a single container passed among guests, each person can receive their own mini urn with a small amount of ashes to scatter.
This:
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Reduces awkward handling of a large urn
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Enhances the intimacy of the moment
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Allows each participant to choose a spot that feels personally meaningful
You can then keep the empty urn as a memento or refill it with a pinch of ashes from what was retained.
Keepsake Jewelry as an Alternative
For those who prefer wearable remembrance, cremation jewelry offers an elegant option. Necklaces, bracelets, or rings with hidden compartments can hold a pinch of ashes, a strand of hair, or even a dried flower from the memorial service.
Jewelry can be engraved with initials or messages, making them as unique as any urn.
Caring for Mini Urns
Most mini urns are designed for long-term indoor display. To keep them in pristine condition:
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Dust gently with a soft cloth
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Keep away from direct sunlight and moisture
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For metal urns, avoid abrasive cleaners
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Wood urns may benefit from occasional polishing with wood-safe oil
If you're storing a mini urn in a drawer or safe, wrap it in a soft cloth or keep it in a pouch to prevent scratches.
Where to Buy Quality Mini Urns
At Oaktree Memorials, we offer a curated collection of keepsake urns designed to bring beauty, comfort, and personalization into your home. Whether you're honoring a parent, sibling, friend, or pet, our urns are crafted with intention and care.
We also offer sets for families purchasing multiple urns, with options to customize each one.
Final Thoughts
Grief isn’t something you carry alone—and remembrance doesn’t need to be, either. Mini keepsake urns offer a beautiful way to share ashes with those closest to the person who’s passed. They allow for personal expression, strengthen family bonds, and offer a physical connection to memory.
Whether used for display, scattering, or gifting, mini urns remind us that love doesn’t lessen when shared—it multiplies.
Explore Oaktree’s full line of mini keepsake urns to find the one that fits your family’s tribute just right.
Our Best Selling Urns & Jewelry
FAQs
What are the shipping options for my memorial?
Oaktree offers free nationwide shipping on all urns and cremation jewelry items, with delivery typically taking 2-5 business days, including processing time. Need it sooner? Expedited shipping (overnight or 2-day) is available at checkout for an additional cost, and we will also prioritize processing for faster delivery. If you need international shipping, please contact us first to confirm availability and rates.
How long will it take for my engraved item to arrive?
Engraved urns and cremation necklaces require an additional 1-3 business days for personalization before shipping. If you need faster delivery, please contact us—we’ll do our best to expedite processing and accommodate your timeline. Expedited shipping options are also available at checkout to ensure your memorial arrives as soon as possible.
What do I do if I never received my order?
If your order hasn’t arrived within 10 business days, please contact us so we can track your shipment and resolve any issues. We’ll ensure your memorial reaches you as soon as possible.
What do I do if I received a defective order?
If your order arrives damaged or defective, contact us right away. We take pride in our high-quality craftsmanship and will work quickly to replace or repair your item at no additional cost.
Can I return my urn or cremation necklace? What is your return policy?
Oaktree offers a 100-day return and exchange policy for non-engraved items. Due to personalization, engraved urns are final sale and cannot be returned. For full details on how to start a return or exchange, visit our Returns & Exchanges page.
How do I make changes to an urn I’ve already ordered?
If you need to modify an order, contact us as soon as possible. If your urn is already engraved, we may not be able to make changes, but we’ll do our best to accommodate your request before processing.
How are your urns made? Where do the materials come from?
Oaktree’s urns are handcrafted in the USA and Europe using sustainable, locally sourced materials. Our artisans ensure each piece is beautifully designed and built to honor your loved one’s memory with care.
How do I choose the right urn size?
Each product page includes detailed dimensions, weight capacity, and cubic inches to help you select the right urn. As a general guide, 1 cubic inch holds 1 pound of pre-cremation weight. If you need help choosing, feel free to contact us.
Some urns are marked as “sold out.” When will they be available?
Our handmade urns may take a few weeks to restock. If you’re interested in a specific style, contact us for an estimated restock date, and we’ll notify you when it’s available.
Does Oaktree place the ashes into my urn?
Yes, we offer an optional ash transfer service for an additional fee. If you’d like us to handle this process, please contact us when placing your order. You’ll need to mail the ashes to us, and we’ll carefully transfer them into your selected urn.
How do I transfer ashes into my urn?
Cremated remains typically arrive in a sealed plastic bag inside a plastic container. To transfer them, simply place the sealed bag inside your urn. If needed, use a funnel for precise placement. If you have any concerns, our team is happy to assist.
How do I order an engraved urn?
To personalize your urn, select “Yes” under “Would you like your item engraved?” on the product page. If you’d like a custom design beyond standard engraving, contact us and we’ll explore options to create a unique tribute.
Can my urn be shipped directly to a funeral home?
Yes! During checkout, you can enter the funeral home’s address for direct shipping.
Can I customize my urn beyond engraving?
Yes! In addition to engraving, we offer custom design services, including unique finishes, symbols, or artwork. If you’d like to personalize your urn beyond standard options, contact us to discuss customization possibilities.
What materials are Oaktree urns made from?
Our urns are crafted from premium materials such as wood, ceramic, marble, metal, and biodegradable materials. We focus on sustainable sourcing and high-quality craftsmanship to create lasting memorials.
Do you offer keepsake urns or mini urns?
Yes, we offer keepsake urns and mini urns, which are smaller versions designed for sharing ashes among family members or keeping a small portion as a personal tribute.
Can I pre-order an urn for future use?
Absolutely! Many customers choose to pre-order an urn in advance. This ensures availability and allows for customization without time constraints. Contact us to arrange a pre-order.
Do you offer pet urns?
Yes, we provide a range of pet memorial urns designed to honor beloved pets. These are available in different materials and sizes to suit dogs, cats, and other pets.
How do I clean and maintain my urn?
Urns require gentle care to maintain their beauty. Use a soft cloth and mild cleaner for metal or ceramic urns. Avoid direct sunlight and moisture to preserve wood urns. Contact us for specific care instructions based on your urn’s material.
Can I travel with an urn? Are they TSA-approved?
Most Oaktree urns are TSA-compliant, making them safe for air travel. Choose a non-metal urn to ensure easy screening. We recommend carrying the urn in your carry-on bag and bringing the cremation certificate from the funeral home.
How do I track my order?
Once your order ships, we’ll send you a tracking number via email. You can use this to monitor the shipment status. If you don’t receive tracking details, contact us for assistance.
How do I contact Oaktree if my question isn’t answered here?
We’re happy to assist! Visit our Contact Us page to reach us via email, chat, or phone. Our compassionate team is ready to help.