After a cremation, you might want to keep your loved one’s ashes at home. It can bring comfort to have them close, but you probably have questions. Is it legal? What will family think? Where should you store them? These are practical concerns that deserve clear answers.
The good news is that keeping ashes at home is perfectly legal in the UK. No licence required. No permission needed. You can keep them as long as you want, in any suitable container. The decision really comes down to what feels right for you and your family, balanced with any religious or cultural considerations.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know about keeping cremation ashes at home. We’ll cover the legal position in the UK, different religious and cultural views, practical storage options, and how to look after ashes over time. By the end, you’ll have the information you need to make a decision that works for you.
What to consider before keeping ashes at home
Your decision about keeping ashes at home starts with understanding your own feelings and practical circumstances. Some people find deep comfort in having their loved one’s remains nearby, while others feel it creates ongoing sadness or prevents them from moving forward. You need to be honest with yourself about how you’ll feel living with the ashes day to day.
Personal comfort and family dynamics
Think about whether everyone in your household agrees with keeping ashes at home. Your partner, children, or other family members might have different views. Religious beliefs can matter here too. Some faiths encourage keeping ashes at home, whilst others see it as inappropriate or even bringing bad luck. Cultural expectations within your family might influence whether this feels like the right choice.
Consider how you’ll feel when friends or visitors notice the urn, and whether you’re comfortable explaining its presence.
You also need to think practically about where you’ll place the ashes and whether that location works long term. Will you move house? What happens if family circumstances change? Planning ahead helps avoid difficult decisions later, especially if you eventually want to scatter or bury the ashes elsewhere.
Step 1. Understand the legal position in the UK
The legal position on keeping ashes at home in the UK is straightforward and reassuring. You face no legal restrictions on storing cremation ashes in your home, and you don’t need any licence, permit, or official permission. The law treats cremated remains differently from a body, giving you complete freedom to decide what to do with them and where to keep them.
No licence or permission required
Keeping ashes at home is entirely legal throughout England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. You can store them for as long as you choose, whether that’s weeks, years, or permanently. The crematorium will release the ashes to whoever is named on the collection form, usually completed during the funeral arrangements. Once you collect them, you have full legal ownership and can make all decisions about their storage and eventual fate.
What you can do with ashes legally
The law allows you considerable flexibility with cremated remains. You can keep all the ashes together or divide them between family members, with no legal limits on how many containers you use. Storage locations remain your choice, whether that’s in your living room, bedroom, garage, or garden shed. You can also keep ashes from multiple people in separate urns without needing permission.
Remember that whilst you have legal freedom with ashes, other laws still apply if you eventually scatter them on private or protected land.
If your circumstances change, you can move ashes to a new home or pass them to another family member at any time. The law also permits you to bury ashes in your garden, scatter them in approved locations, or place them in a columbarium when you’re ready. Your legal rights remain protected regardless of how long you keep the ashes at home.
Step 2. Explore beliefs and family expectations
Religious beliefs and cultural traditions can strongly influence whether keeping ashes at home feels appropriate for you and your family. Different faiths have varying teachings about cremated remains, and your family might hold expectations based on these beliefs. Understanding these perspectives helps you navigate potential conflicts and make a decision that respects everyone’s values.
Religious and cultural perspectives
Catholicism generally discourages keeping ashes at home, with the Church preferring burial or placement in consecrated ground. Hinduism typically opposes storing ashes at home completely, viewing it as preventing the soul’s onward journey and risking bad spirits attaching to the remains. In contrast, Buddhist traditions often support keeping a portion of ashes on a home altar as a way to honour and remember the deceased.
Secular Western culture increasingly accepts keeping ashes at home as a personal choice that brings comfort. Some Chinese and Filipino beliefs associate keeping ashes at home with potential bad luck, suggesting the spirit cannot move on properly. Your own cultural background might carry similar expectations that you need to weigh against your personal wishes.
Understanding these different viewpoints helps you anticipate family concerns and prepare thoughtful responses.
Having the conversation with family
Start the discussion early with household members and close relatives who might be affected by your decision about keeping ashes at home. Explain your reasons clearly, whether that’s maintaining a connection, waiting to decide on a final resting place, or simply feeling comforted by their presence. Listen to any concerns about religious beliefs, superstitions, or practical worries.
Ask specific questions about their comfort level, such as whether they mind the urn being in a shared living space or prefer it somewhere private. Find compromise solutions when disagreements arise, like keeping ashes in your bedroom rather than a communal area, or agreeing on a timeframe for making a final decision about scattering or burial.
Step 3. Choose a container and location at home
Selecting the right container and finding a suitable location are practical decisions that affect how keeping ashes at home works for you day to day. You need something that protects the ashes, fits your home, and feels respectful. The crematorium typically provides a basic container, but you can transfer the ashes to something more personal or permanent whenever you choose.
Container options for storing ashes
Standard urns remain the most common choice, available in materials like wood, ceramic, metal, or biodegradable options. You can find simple wooden boxes from around £30, decorative ceramic urns from £50, or designer pieces costing several hundred pounds. Basic containers work perfectly well if you prefer simplicity, including the temporary scatter tube from the crematorium, a sturdy cardboard box, or even a biscuit tin that held meaning for your loved one.
Keepsake urns let you divide ashes between family members, typically holding a small portion in pendants, bracelets, or miniature containers. Adult cremation ashes usually amount to around three litres, so you need a container with adequate capacity if keeping everything together. Temporary storage in the crematorium’s scatter tube is acceptable whilst you decide on something more permanent.
Choose a container that seals properly to keep the ashes secure and protected from moisture or accidental spillage.
Finding the right location in your home
Private spaces like your bedroom offer intimacy and personal connection whilst keeping the ashes away from casual visitors. Shared living areas such as the mantelpiece or living room shelf work if your household feels comfortable with visible reminders. Some people prefer discrete locations like a wardrobe, cabinet, or dedicated shelf in a quiet corner.
Practical considerations matter when choosing your spot. Avoid direct sunlight that might damage the container, damp areas like bathrooms that risk moisture problems, or anywhere unstable where the urn could fall. Keep ashes away from young children or pets who might disturb them accidentally.
Step 4. Look after ashes over time and plan ahead
Keeping ashes at home requires minimal maintenance, but proper care and forward planning ensure the remains stay protected whilst you decide on their eventual fate. You might keep the ashes for months or years, so thinking about practical care and documenting your intentions prevents problems later.
Regular checks and container maintenance
Inspect the container every few months to check for any damage, particularly if it’s made from wood or other materials that can deteriorate. Look for signs of moisture that might affect the ashes, especially if you store them in areas with temperature changes. Wipe the outside of the urn with a soft cloth to keep it clean and presentable, avoiding harsh chemicals that could damage the finish.
Keep the ashes secure if you move house by transporting them carefully in your own vehicle rather than with removal companies. Label the container clearly so others know what it contains, particularly important if you become unwell or pass away unexpectedly.
Document your wishes about the ashes in writing, storing this information with your important papers so family members know your plans.
Planning the eventual destination
Decide whether you’ll keep the ashes permanently or eventually scatter or bury them somewhere meaningful. Many people keep ashes at home temporarily whilst they arrange a memorial ceremony or wait for specific conditions, like good weather for scattering. Write down your intentions including any preferred locations, special requests, or family members who should be involved in the decision.
Consider setting a review date to revisit your plans, perhaps on an anniversary or after a certain period of grieving.
Making your own decision
Keeping ashes at home remains a deeply personal choice that only you can make for your family. Trust your instincts about what feels right, balanced against any family concerns or religious considerations you’ve explored. You have the legal freedom to keep ashes for as long as you need, whether that’s a few months whilst you plan a memorial or permanently as an ongoing connection to your loved one.
Take your time with this decision and don’t rush. There’s no deadline for choosing what to do with cremation ashes, and you can always change your mind later. If you’re currently arranging a cremation and want to understand your options better, Go Direct Cremations provides straightforward guidance alongside a compassionate direct cremation service. Your choice matters, and the right decision is the one that brings you comfort during a difficult time.