In movies and on television, cremation urns seem to have garnered a reputation for being bland, unattractive and easily breakable. Fortunately, this is not the reality of cremation memorials today. If you or a loved one is considering cremation, you should be aware that cremation urns, containers and memorials are as diverse as the people who choose them. With the popularity of cremation on the rise, options exist to suit any family and situation.

Cremation-Online.com, a site founded by Funeral Director and Cremation Specialist John Brooks, offers myriad options to help families store and cherish the ashes of their loved ones. Cloisonne urns are reminiscent of ancient Chinese glassware, crafted from metal and hand-painted with beautiful enamels. Companion Dual Capacity Urns are for storing the ashes of two special individuals, such as parents or grandparents. The Companion Dual Capacity Urns are made with two compartments, so that the ashes may be kept separately but close together.

Cultured marble urns are also available, with a durable composite marble-like finish designed especially for personalization. If you prefer wood to stone, hardwood urns are also offered in a variety of quality woods. For life’s greatest tragedies, there are urns designed specifically for the ashes of a child or infant. One tasteful keepsake urn features a teddy bear sitting on a dark wooden base; another is an engraved pink box.

For those who want to keep a reminder of their loved ones with them wherever they go, keepsake cremation jewelry is also available. As the popularity of cremation has increased, so has the variety and availability of this time of memorial item. Pendants offered include cross, heart and teardrop shapes in sterling silver and 14K gold. These pendants contain a trace amount of your loved one’s ashes, so you really can take a piece of them with you wherever you go.