Funeral Urn Capacities: How to Choose the Right Size
What volume urn should you choose? This is one of the most practical questions when selecting a funeral urn. This guide explains how to calculate the capacity you need based on the weight of the deceased.
📐 The general rule: approximately 1 kg of body weight = 30 to 35 ml of ashes. This is an estimate only — the actual amount depends on bone density, age and cremation conditions.
Capacity for a human
| Urn volume | Approx. body weight | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5 litre | up to 10 kg | infant |
| 1 litre | up to 20 kg | child |
| 2 litres | up to 50 kg | lighter adult |
| 3 litres | up to 80 kg | recommended for most adults |
| 3+ litres | over 80 kg | larger body |
⚠️ Legal note: No law specifies an exact capacity. However, French funeral regulations recommend a minimum of 3 litres for adult remains to cover larger body sizes. Some crematoria formally require it. Source: service-public.fr.
Capacity for a pet
| Urn volume | Animal weight | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 0.15 – 0.3 litre | up to 5 kg | cat, rabbit, small dog |
| 0.5 litre | up to 10 kg | beagle, cocker spaniel… |
| 1 litre | up to 20 kg | labrador, border collie… |
| 2 litres | up to 45 kg | German shepherd, rottweiler… |
| 3 litres | over 45 kg | large breed, horse (small keepsake urn) |
Columbarium urns: check the dimensions!
If the urn is destined for a columbarium niche, volume alone is not enough: you also need to verify the external dimensions (height × width × depth).
💡 Tip: Niche dimensions vary by cemetery and municipality. The most common size is around 30 × 30 × 30 cm, but some are smaller. Contact the cemetery directly for exact measurements before placing your order.
Need help choosing the right size? See our full guide.