You need to find the right wooden urn for your loved one’s ashes. When you start searching online, hundreds of options appear with wildly different styles. Different woods, finishes, sizes, shapes. Some offer engraving, others don’t. Prices range from £50 to £500 or more. You want something that truly honors their memory, but you also need to understand what you’re actually getting for your money and how to choose between oak, mahogany, walnut, or other wood types.
This guide covers eight wooden cremation urn sources available in the UK. You’ll see what each retailer and maker offers, from simple containers included with direct cremation services to handcrafted artisan pieces commissioned from skilled woodturners. We break down wood types, ashes capacity, personalization and engraving options, plus realistic prices for each source. By the end, you’ll know exactly where to find the wooden urn that fits your needs and budget.
1. Go Direct Cremations simple urn option
Go Direct Cremations provides a direct cremation service that includes a simple ashes container as part of the base package. You get the cremation itself plus a basic container to receive the ashes, which gives you time to decide on a permanent urn later. The service covers collection from any hospital in mainland England, Scotland, or Wales, all paperwork, an eco-friendly coffin, and the cremation itself.
Overview of Go Direct Cremations
This company focuses on unattended direct cremations without a ceremony at the crematorium. You receive the ashes afterwards, and you arrange your own memorial service at a time and place that suits you. The service includes 24/7 availability for support and collection, which matters when you need help immediately after a death.
How ashes and urns work with this service
The standard service delivers your loved one’s ashes in a plain plastic container. You can collect the ashes from the crematorium or have them delivered to your home. If you prefer a wooden urn, you can upgrade to a designer urn option when you arrange the cremation, or you can transfer the ashes into your own wooden urn after delivery.
Simple container and wooden urn options
Go Direct Cremations offers designer urns as paid upgrades to the basic plastic container. These include wooden cremation urns in different styles and finishes. The pricing appears on their website during the booking process, and you select your preferred urn before the cremation takes place.
How to choose the right wooden urn
You need to consider the ashes capacity (typically 200 cubic inches for an adult), the wood type, and whether you want engraving. Think about where you’ll keep or display the urn, as this affects your choice of size and finish.
The right urn honors your loved one while fitting naturally into your home and memorial plans.
Costs for cremation and urn choices
The base cremation service starts at a fixed price that includes the simple container. Wooden urns add an extra cost on top of the cremation fee. The exact price depends on the urn style and size you choose.
When this option suits a wooden urn buyer
This service works well when you want one provider to handle everything from collection through to cremation and urn delivery. You avoid dealing with multiple suppliers, and you know the urn arrives at the same time as the ashes.
2. Urns with Love hardwood urns
Urns with Love sells handcrafted solid wood urns made by skilled artisans in the UK. The company specializes in traditional hardwood designs that combine craftsmanship with natural wood grain patterns. You find both classic rectangular boxes and more decorative styles on their website at urnswithlove.co.uk.
Overview and signature styles
The collection features solid wood urns in traditional box shapes and casket designs. Most pieces showcase natural wood grain as the primary decorative element, with clean lines and simple silhouettes. You can choose from rectangular boxes with flat lids, domed top caskets, and cylindrical designs.
Wood types and finish
Urns with Love works with oak, walnut, rosewood, and mahogany for their hardwood urns. Each wood type arrives with a hand-applied finish that protects the surface while highlighting the grain. They also offer MDF wood caskets as a budget alternative to solid hardwood.
Quality hardwood properly finished lasts decades and develops character over time.
Sizes and ashes capacity
Adult urns typically hold 200 cubic inches of ashes, which suits most requirements. You also find smaller keepsake urns for sharing ashes among family members and companion urns designed to hold two sets of remains.
Engraving and personalisation
The website offers custom engraving services for names, dates, and short messages. Engraving appears on metal plaques attached to the wooden cremation urns or directly carved into the wood surface. You submit your text during checkout and receive a proof before production.
Price range and delivery in the UK
Solid hardwood urns start around £80 to £150 for standard adult sizes. Premium woods like rosewood and mahogany cost more. UK delivery runs from standard post to express courier options, with delivery times ranging from three to seven working days.
3. Urns UK classic wood urns
Urns UK stocks a wide collection of wooden cremation urns that focus on classic, timeless designs. The company operates through urnsuk.com and serves customers across the United Kingdom with standard and express delivery options. You find both contemporary shapes and traditional styles that suit different tastes and interior spaces.
Overview and signature styles
The collection emphasizes classic rectangular boxes and cylindrical designs that work well for home display or burial. You see clean lines, subtle curves, and understated decoration that puts the natural wood at the centre. Many pieces feature inlaid borders or decorative banding that adds visual interest without overwhelming the design.
Wood types and finish
Urns UK works with solid hardwoods including oak, walnut, cherry, and mahogany. Each wooden cremation urn receives a hand-rubbed finish that protects the surface and brings out the grain pattern. The finish ranges from natural matte to polished gloss, depending on the specific urn style you choose.
Sizes and ashes capacity
Adult urns hold 200 to 250 cubic inches of cremated remains, which covers the typical requirement. You also find smaller keepsake sizes starting from 25 cubic inches and companion urns that accommodate two sets of ashes in a single container.
The capacity you need depends on your loved one’s build and whether you plan to divide the ashes.
Engraving and personalisation
The website offers engraving services for names, dates, and short inscriptions. Engraving appears on metal plaques fixed to the wooden cremation urns or directly carved into the wood. You submit your personalization text at checkout and receive digital approval before the engraver starts work.
Price range and delivery in the UK
Prices start around £60 for basic wooden urns and reach £200 or more for premium hardwoods with detailed inlay work. Standard UK delivery takes five to seven working days, with express options available for urgent needs.
4. Aesthetic Urns modern wooden caskets
Aesthetic Urns brings contemporary design sensibility to wooden cremation urns through their collection at aestheticurns.co.uk. The company focuses on modern aesthetics that suit contemporary homes while maintaining the warmth and dignity of natural wood. You find sleek lines, minimal decoration, and innovative shapes that move beyond traditional rectangular boxes.
Overview and signature styles
The collection features cylindrical urns, curved caskets, and geometric designs that stand out from conventional styles. Modern shapes include tapered cylinders, rounded boxes with smooth edges, and architectural forms that work as display pieces. Each design emphasizes clean contemporary lines that complement modern interiors without sacrificing the natural beauty of wood.
Wood types and finish
Aesthetic Urns works with solid hardwoods including oak, walnut, and birch for their modern casket designs. Finishes range from natural matte to satin sheens that protect the wood while preserving a contemporary appearance. Some designs incorporate contrasting wood inlays or subtle metal accents that add visual interest.
Sizes and ashes capacity
Adult urns hold 200 to 220 cubic inches of cremated remains as standard. You also find smaller keepsake sizes and sharing urns that let multiple family members hold a portion of the ashes in matching modern designs.
Contemporary wooden urns honor your loved one while fitting naturally into your modern home.
Engraving and personalisation
The website offers laser engraving services for names, dates, and custom designs. Modern fonts suit the contemporary aesthetic, and you can choose plaque placement or direct wood engraving depending on your preference.
Price range and delivery in the UK
Prices start around £70 for basic modern designs and reach £180 for premium hardwoods with complex shapes. Standard UK delivery takes five to seven working days with express options available.
5. Urns for Ashes oak and mahogany urns
Urns for Ashes operates through urnsforashes.co.uk and specializes in premium hardwood cremation urns that emphasize durability and natural beauty. The company focuses on oak and mahogany as their primary wood choices, which both offer excellent longevity and rich grain patterns that improve with age.
Overview and signature styles
The collection features traditional rectangular boxes, domed caskets, and cylindrical designs that showcase the natural grain of hardwood. You find classic shapes with minimal ornamentation that let the wood speak for itself. Most designs include simple brass or wood inlays that add subtle detail without overwhelming the natural material.
Wood types and finish
Oak delivers a light to medium brown tone with prominent grain, while mahogany offers rich reddish-brown hues that darken beautifully over time. Each urn receives a hand-applied protective finish that seals the wood against moisture and handling wear.
Oak and mahogany both provide durability that lasts generations when properly finished.
Sizes and ashes capacity
Adult wooden cremation urns hold 200 to 240 cubic inches of remains as standard. You also find keepsake sizes from 30 cubic inches for sharing among family members.
Engraving and personalisation
The website offers metal plaque engraving or direct wood carving for names and dates. You submit your text at checkout and receive approval before engraving begins.
Price range and delivery in the UK
Prices start around £75 for oak urns and reach £160 for premium mahogany designs. Standard UK delivery takes five to eight working days with tracked shipping.
6. Serenity Urns solid oak caskets
Serenity Urns operates through serenityurns.co.uk and specializes in solid oak cremation urns that combine traditional craftsmanship with durable construction. The company focuses on classic casket designs that showcase oak’s natural grain and warm golden-brown tones. You find traditional rectangular boxes and vault-style caskets that work for both home display and burial.
Overview and signature styles
The collection emphasizes solid oak construction throughout, with traditional casket shapes that feature clean lines and quality joinery. Signature styles include rectangular boxes with flat or slightly domed lids and vault designs with raised panels. Each piece showcases natural oak grain patterns that make every urn unique.
Wood types and finish
Serenity Urns works exclusively with solid oak for these wooden cremation urns, which provides excellent durability and a timeless appearance. Each casket receives a protective finish that seals the wood against moisture while highlighting the natural grain.
Sizes and ashes capacity
Adult caskets measure around 29 x 20 x 14.5cm and hold the typical volume of cremated remains for an adult. You also find smaller keepsake sizes for sharing ashes among family members.
Engraving and personalisation
The website offers engraving services for names, dates, and short messages on metal plaques or carved directly into the oak surface. You submit your personalization details at checkout and receive confirmation before the engraving work begins.
Solid oak develops richer color and character as it ages naturally over time.
Price range and delivery in the UK
Prices start around £90 for standard adult caskets in solid oak. Standard UK delivery typically takes five to seven working days with tracking included.
7. Remember Forever wooden urn range
Remember Forever operates through shop.coffinsupplies.co.uk and stocks a comprehensive range of wooden cremation urns that cover different styles, price points, and wood types. The company serves the UK funeral industry and individual buyers with flexible ordering options and expertise in memorial products. You find both traditional and contemporary designs that suit various preferences and budgets.
Overview and signature styles
The collection includes rectangular boxes, cylindrical urns, and casket designs that span classic to modern aesthetics. Signature pieces feature clean lines with subtle decorative touches such as carved borders or inlaid panels. Each style balances traditional craftsmanship with practical functionality for home display or burial purposes.
Wood types and finish
Remember Forever works with multiple hardwood species including oak, walnut, cherry, and rosewood across their range. Each wooden cremation urn receives a protective finish that seals the surface while preserving the natural grain pattern. Finish options range from natural matte to polished gloss depending on the specific design.
Sizes and ashes capacity
Adult urns hold 200 to 240 cubic inches of cremated remains as standard sizing. You also find keepsake urns and sharing options that let family members divide ashes into smaller matching containers.
Engraving and personalisation
The website offers engraving services for names, dates, and personal messages on metal plaques or carved directly into the wood. You submit your text during the ordering process.
A personalized urn transforms a memorial container into a lasting tribute that speaks to your loved one’s unique life.
Price range and delivery in the UK
Prices start around £65 for basic designs and reach £170 for premium hardwoods. Standard UK delivery takes five to seven working days with tracking.
8. Bespoke artisan wooden urns
You can commission a unique wooden cremation urn directly from a skilled woodturner or furniture maker when you want something truly personal. Bespoke artisan pieces offer complete creative freedom that mass-produced urns cannot match. You work directly with the maker to design an urn that reflects your loved one’s personality, hobbies, or aesthetic preferences through custom shapes, wood choices, and decorative details.
Overview of bespoke and artisan urn makers
The UK hosts numerous independent woodturners and furniture makers who create commissioned memorial pieces alongside their regular work. You find them through craft fairs, gallery websites, woodworking associations, or direct recommendations from funeral directors. Many artisans specialize in turned wooden pieces that showcase their lathe skills, while others focus on joinery and cabinetmaking techniques for box-style urns.
Choosing a woodturner or designer in the UK
You start by reviewing the maker’s portfolio and previous memorial work to assess their style and craftsmanship level. Contact several artisans to discuss your vision, timeline, and budget before committing. Ask about their wood sourcing practices, finishing techniques, and experience with memorial pieces specifically. Meeting the maker in person or via video call helps you gauge whether they understand your requirements and can deliver what you envision.
Custom shapes, finishes and inlay work
Bespoke makers create spherical urns, sculptural forms, and architectural designs that standard manufacturers avoid due to complexity. You choose from exotic wood species, figured grain patterns, and mixed wood combinations that add visual impact. Custom inlay work includes metal accents, contrasting wood veneers, or stone details integrated into the design.
A commissioned urn becomes a true work of art that tells your loved one’s story through wood and craftsmanship.
Personal engraving and one off designs
Artisan makers collaborate with professional engravers or carvers to add detailed inscriptions, imagery, or symbolic elements directly into the wooden cremation urns. You can incorporate photographs, handwriting reproductions, or custom illustrations that make the piece genuinely unique.
Typical budget and commissioning process
Expect to pay £200 to £600 or more depending on complexity, wood type, and maker reputation. The commissioning process takes four to eight weeks from initial consultation to delivery. You approve design drawings before work begins and receive progress updates throughout production.
Final thoughts
You now have eight clear sources for wooden cremation urns across the UK, from simple containers included with direct cremation services to handcrafted artisan pieces. Each option offers different wood types, finishes, sizes, and personalization levels that fit specific budgets and preferences. You understand what oak, mahogany, walnut, and other woods deliver in terms of appearance and longevity.
Choosing the right urn starts with knowing your requirements for capacity, engraving, and display location. If you need help with the complete cremation process alongside urn selection, Go Direct Cremations provides a straightforward service that handles everything from collection to ash delivery. The service includes a simple container with options to upgrade to designer urns, which removes the stress of dealing with multiple suppliers during a difficult time.