I don't want to leave her in the plastic shoeboxes any more
January 1, 2011 7:04 AM Subscribe
Need an urn-like thing for a horse's ashes.
We lost two elderly pets in the fall, a dog and a horse. The dog's urn looks like the one on the left here, silver with mottled black, although it's more predominantly silver than black in person. We were able to get that when she was cremated. The horse's ashes came back in plastic boxes.
I wanted to get something similar for the horse, and it's finally been long enough since we lost her that I am able to think about it. Equine ashes take up a lot more space. The plastic boxes they are currently in measure, in total, 9"x9"x7", so 567 in^3. (If I've done the math right, that's about 2 1/2 gallons.) Large standard urns seem to hold about 250 in^3 max. "Urns" made for horses seem to be ugly wooden boxes. I really want just one, not several with the ashes divided across.
So I am looking at things like vases, canisters, floor display decorative items, thinking I can get one and find a way to seal it closed. Looking for simple designs, not complicated ones, no fancy finials or engravings etc. (Suggestions on sealing open vases welcome also.) But I am having difficulty finding anything much like the urn we already have, the antiqued-silver mottled look. Searching "antique silver" finds actual antique silver pieces, and that's way out of the price range.
Does anyone know where I should be looking? Better search terms? Maybe a description for the other urn that will help me find similar items?
The horse's illness and cremation were quite expensive alone, so I was hoping to spend maybe $100-$150 on this. I could maybe go higher for something that was really, really right. If I can't find something that's silver with mottled black, maybe tarnished-looking silvery metal (brushed steel?) would be okay.
To recap, looking for:
* Silver with mottled black container, open or closed, vaselike, simple design
* If not silver with mottled black, maybe tarnished-looking silver-colored metal (not shiny, not glossy)
* Suggestions for sealing if open
* single container about 570 in^3 or 2.5 gal space inside
* $100-$150 max preferred
Thank you in advance. We're still grieving at having lost these pets, but it was definitely time to let them go; it was the right thing to do. I have just reached a point where I really want to move Duchess's ashes into something more suitable.
We lost two elderly pets in the fall, a dog and a horse. The dog's urn looks like the one on the left here, silver with mottled black, although it's more predominantly silver than black in person. We were able to get that when she was cremated. The horse's ashes came back in plastic boxes.
I wanted to get something similar for the horse, and it's finally been long enough since we lost her that I am able to think about it. Equine ashes take up a lot more space. The plastic boxes they are currently in measure, in total, 9"x9"x7", so 567 in^3. (If I've done the math right, that's about 2 1/2 gallons.) Large standard urns seem to hold about 250 in^3 max. "Urns" made for horses seem to be ugly wooden boxes. I really want just one, not several with the ashes divided across.
So I am looking at things like vases, canisters, floor display decorative items, thinking I can get one and find a way to seal it closed. Looking for simple designs, not complicated ones, no fancy finials or engravings etc. (Suggestions on sealing open vases welcome also.) But I am having difficulty finding anything much like the urn we already have, the antiqued-silver mottled look. Searching "antique silver" finds actual antique silver pieces, and that's way out of the price range.
Does anyone know where I should be looking? Better search terms? Maybe a description for the other urn that will help me find similar items?
The horse's illness and cremation were quite expensive alone, so I was hoping to spend maybe $100-$150 on this. I could maybe go higher for something that was really, really right. If I can't find something that's silver with mottled black, maybe tarnished-looking silvery metal (brushed steel?) would be okay.
To recap, looking for:
* Silver with mottled black container, open or closed, vaselike, simple design
* If not silver with mottled black, maybe tarnished-looking silver-colored metal (not shiny, not glossy)
* Suggestions for sealing if open
* single container about 570 in^3 or 2.5 gal space inside
* $100-$150 max preferred
Thank you in advance. We're still grieving at having lost these pets, but it was definitely time to let them go; it was the right thing to do. I have just reached a point where I really want to move Duchess's ashes into something more suitable.
An idea- you could use almost any large vase. Once the cremains have been placed in the vase, cut a piece of cardboard to fit a couple of inches below the top of the lip, and fill the space above that, up to the top, with melted wax to seal the vase.
posted by HuronBob at 7:29 AM on January 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
posted by HuronBob at 7:29 AM on January 1, 2011 [1 favorite]
I'm sure that any potter on Etsy would make you a sealing urn within your price range. (This potter makes vases and urns with horse hair, which is interesting and came up in my search though it's not what you are looking for.) I'm sorry for your losses :(
posted by DarlingBri at 7:31 AM on January 1, 2011
posted by DarlingBri at 7:31 AM on January 1, 2011
In googling "horse cremation" it looks like wood boxes are the usual way to store a horse's ashes. Have you thought about going that route? In fact, it is the only option coming up in the first two pages of Google results. The commercial prices are a bit above your budget, but given that they are just nicely done oak boxes, I imagine a local woodworker could do something nice within your budget. You could have the box painted to match the finish of the urns.
posted by COD at 7:35 AM on January 1, 2011
posted by COD at 7:35 AM on January 1, 2011
Response by poster: To clarify further, I *really* want something very like the urn we already have, and I don't know how to search to find that color/texture. I would be fine using a large vase, I just want one like the urn we already have, which is steel but with a silver color/mottled black texture.
posted by galadriel at 7:36 AM on January 1, 2011
posted by galadriel at 7:36 AM on January 1, 2011
I'm sorry for your loss; pets are family.
Another possibility for you to search for (or speak to a funeral director in your town about) would be a double or companion urn -- an urn specifically made to hold two humans. They're large enough to hold five or six hundred cubic inches, but a lot of the ones you find on a cursory Google search are either basic boxes like you already have, or pretty elaborate and expensive. (Example of a simpler one.) That's why it might help to speak to a funeral director -- they may have a catalog you can look through to get an idea of something that might be suitable (though you'd probably still save money ordering it online).
posted by Gator at 7:37 AM on January 1, 2011
Another possibility for you to search for (or speak to a funeral director in your town about) would be a double or companion urn -- an urn specifically made to hold two humans. They're large enough to hold five or six hundred cubic inches, but a lot of the ones you find on a cursory Google search are either basic boxes like you already have, or pretty elaborate and expensive. (Example of a simpler one.) That's why it might help to speak to a funeral director -- they may have a catalog you can look through to get an idea of something that might be suitable (though you'd probably still save money ordering it online).
posted by Gator at 7:37 AM on January 1, 2011
What about sprinkling some ashes in a few of your horse's favorite places - a trail, pasture or scenic outlook where you used to ride? If you reduce the amount, you might be able to buy another urn that's identical to your dog's for the rest.
I am so sorry for your losses.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 7:40 AM on January 1, 2011
I am so sorry for your losses.
posted by SuperSquirrel at 7:40 AM on January 1, 2011
Try searching google images for "cast iron urn" (instead of steel).
Also, another thought for you, only keep a portion of the cremains. We've saved just a portion of the cremains of several pets, typically in some sort of decorative container. The balance of the cremains were scattered in a meaningful location. In fact, we've even a very small container with a handful of cremains from a grandparent, the rest of the ashes were lovingly scattered at the lake where she grew up and spent many, many happy days.
posted by HuronBob at 7:45 AM on January 1, 2011
Also, another thought for you, only keep a portion of the cremains. We've saved just a portion of the cremains of several pets, typically in some sort of decorative container. The balance of the cremains were scattered in a meaningful location. In fact, we've even a very small container with a handful of cremains from a grandparent, the rest of the ashes were lovingly scattered at the lake where she grew up and spent many, many happy days.
posted by HuronBob at 7:45 AM on January 1, 2011
Can you look into old milk or butter churns? Would those hold enough? You sometimes see them painted and used as decorations in houses.
posted by dilettante at 7:46 AM on January 1, 2011
posted by dilettante at 7:46 AM on January 1, 2011
A fellow horseperson, I'm very sorry for your loss. I was going to suggest what SuperSquirrel did. It's what I will do for my "with me 'til the end" horse.
posted by Dolley at 7:47 AM on January 1, 2011
posted by Dolley at 7:47 AM on January 1, 2011
galadriel, that just...sucks. I'm really sorry.
I'm having trouble making the volume requirements make sense, but perhaps:
Killian Vase (Crate & Barrel)
Echoing Sassyfras, a stainless bucket
An antique or modern stainless steel milk can? (Another modern version.)
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:03 AM on January 1, 2011
I'm having trouble making the volume requirements make sense, but perhaps:
Killian Vase (Crate & Barrel)
Echoing Sassyfras, a stainless bucket
An antique or modern stainless steel milk can? (Another modern version.)
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:03 AM on January 1, 2011
Antiqued silver floor vase, with HuronBob's solution for the lid.
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:14 AM on January 1, 2011
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:14 AM on January 1, 2011
Embossed urn with lid. (Using 'hammered" in the Google search turned up images similar to your link.)
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:24 AM on January 1, 2011
posted by MonkeyToes at 8:24 AM on January 1, 2011
I'm terribly sorry for your losses.
Cremains are mostly symbolic for reasons it's not necessary to go into. Get something you like, perhaps a matching vessel, without worrying about volume. Scatter what doesn't fit in an appropriate and meaningful location.
posted by supercres at 8:53 AM on January 1, 2011
Cremains are mostly symbolic for reasons it's not necessary to go into. Get something you like, perhaps a matching vessel, without worrying about volume. Scatter what doesn't fit in an appropriate and meaningful location.
posted by supercres at 8:53 AM on January 1, 2011
I came on to recommend a milk can, but MonkeyToes beat me to it. The size should be about right, and I think the agrarian theme is appropriate. An implement right out of a barn would seem to honor your lost companion.
I hope your pain eases quickly.
posted by dinger at 12:59 PM on January 1, 2011
I hope your pain eases quickly.
posted by dinger at 12:59 PM on January 1, 2011
So sorry for your recent losses.
Look for a hammered urn at a home store, discount store, or home improvement store that will coordinate with your existing urn. In my area, I would look at Pier One, Lowe's and TJ Maxx. Consider unusual vessels like planters or water hose cache pots. It doesn't need to have a lid. Hopefully you can get this for $30-60.
If there are drainage holes, you will need to seal them. I would suggest hard rubber corks and silicone caulk, but maybe you can come up with something nicer.
Hire someone to make a wooden lid. You should have around $100 left to pay for this. Depending on the vessel, it might have an outside lip that fits over the urn mouth, or it might fit down inside a little bit. I am picturing a medium-tone hardwood with good grain and a natural finish (tung oil?). The lid could have a small wooden or metal cabinet knob as a lid handle.
The wax sealing method mentioned above for a vase might work if the wood lid needs sealed.
Whether or not this works for you, I wish you all the best.
posted by Agatha at 3:39 PM on January 1, 2011
Look for a hammered urn at a home store, discount store, or home improvement store that will coordinate with your existing urn. In my area, I would look at Pier One, Lowe's and TJ Maxx. Consider unusual vessels like planters or water hose cache pots. It doesn't need to have a lid. Hopefully you can get this for $30-60.
If there are drainage holes, you will need to seal them. I would suggest hard rubber corks and silicone caulk, but maybe you can come up with something nicer.
Hire someone to make a wooden lid. You should have around $100 left to pay for this. Depending on the vessel, it might have an outside lip that fits over the urn mouth, or it might fit down inside a little bit. I am picturing a medium-tone hardwood with good grain and a natural finish (tung oil?). The lid could have a small wooden or metal cabinet knob as a lid handle.
The wax sealing method mentioned above for a vase might work if the wood lid needs sealed.
Whether or not this works for you, I wish you all the best.
posted by Agatha at 3:39 PM on January 1, 2011
Plow & Hearth's ash bucket may still be available in copper. (No flippancy intended; I think it's lovely, it's lidded and it seems to be about the right size/price range.)
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:44 PM on January 1, 2011
posted by MonkeyToes at 6:44 PM on January 1, 2011
Response by poster: Thank you for the sympathy and the suggestions.
It is extremely difficult for me to go out looking in person, so I was hoping to accomplish this without wandering stores, antique shops, thrift shops etc. I thought there was a chance :) maybe someone else had better searching skills than I did or a suggestion for better search terms. "Cast iron" sounds good but I'm not finding much in the way of large vases or urns, which is too bad; it mostly seems to be one planter design which is for some reason always painted. "Hammered" isn't quite what I was looking for, but maybe it'll work; it's something else to spend a while searching, anyway.
The milk jugs would be great if they were just a nicer color. Bright, shiny silver is going to be too eye-catching and we're not going to be up for that much reminder of our loss, that frequently, any time soon. I actually quite like milk jugs, although it's possible getting one for this reason would ruin them for me.
We have tentative plans to do something with these ashes eventually, but that won't be for a while, maybe several years. We want to keep them all until then. We thought we might try planting a tree and using the ashes around the roots--but not here, and not now.
Thanks for the specific suggestions and the new directions to search. I might end up using that Killian Vase, Monkeytoes, but I'm going to keep trying a while longer to see if anything else turns up.
posted by galadriel at 2:38 PM on January 3, 2011
It is extremely difficult for me to go out looking in person, so I was hoping to accomplish this without wandering stores, antique shops, thrift shops etc. I thought there was a chance :) maybe someone else had better searching skills than I did or a suggestion for better search terms. "Cast iron" sounds good but I'm not finding much in the way of large vases or urns, which is too bad; it mostly seems to be one planter design which is for some reason always painted. "Hammered" isn't quite what I was looking for, but maybe it'll work; it's something else to spend a while searching, anyway.
The milk jugs would be great if they were just a nicer color. Bright, shiny silver is going to be too eye-catching and we're not going to be up for that much reminder of our loss, that frequently, any time soon. I actually quite like milk jugs, although it's possible getting one for this reason would ruin them for me.
We have tentative plans to do something with these ashes eventually, but that won't be for a while, maybe several years. We want to keep them all until then. We thought we might try planting a tree and using the ashes around the roots--but not here, and not now.
Thanks for the specific suggestions and the new directions to search. I might end up using that Killian Vase, Monkeytoes, but I'm going to keep trying a while longer to see if anything else turns up.
posted by galadriel at 2:38 PM on January 3, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
I'd scour local Goodwill and thrift shops and see what they have. They most likely won't be urns, but I'm willing to bet you could find something that would suit you and work just fine. Also, perhaps look around your house, in your garage, attic - maybe you already have something that would work.
I'm so sorry for your losses.
posted by Sassyfras at 7:22 AM on January 1, 2011 [1 favorite]