To put it bluntly, urns for ashes were once purely functional; the look or design was utilitarian, as the cremation urns were used solely for the purpose of burial or were placed in an obscure place never to be seen again. Most were designed in dull colors and were nothing anyone would take note of - you certainly wouldn't have called urns for ashes "beautiful" or "exquisite."
Today, things have certainly changed. The urns for ashes that can be found today are spectacular, and thousands of unique choices mean that you can find the perfect one for your needs. Within the funeral industry creativity is flourishing; no longer are cremation urns viewed as simply a "box" or vase where a loved ones ashes are placed upon passing. Today, artisans who are blessed with an abundance of talent create urns for ashes that are available on the shelf of the retailer, or you can choose to have a specially designed urn custom made especially for your needs. The cremation urns you find available today encompass many artistic elements including shape, line, form, texture, color and space. The artistic quality you find in urns for ashes today is supreme; these urns are meant to represent the passions, spirit and personality of a loved one. Artisans who create exquisite art urns do so with a careful, loving touch and design all of their work to be of exceptional quality and beauty.
Today's cremation urns are often a blank "canvas" on which artisans create some of their best work. The level of detail that goes in to creating urns for ashes today is unimaginable, as artisans reach new heights in forming urns that are functional and designed in a way that is awe-inspiring. The form and markings are complex in many cases, resulting in an urn that is breathtaking. The elements of true art include form, shape and texture. While form includes the basic lines and dimensions of the cremation urn, shape refers to a space that is enclosed.
Talented artisans are able to create literally any shape today in urns for ashes, from teddy bear and angel replicas to log cabins, cars, contemporary vases and more. Colors are no longer limited; today's urns are formed with dramatic and intense colors like purple urns that are truly inspiring. While you will see the classic colors of black and grey in many elegant designs, you will also commonly find that reds, yellows, vibrant blues, green shades and other colors are used alone and in combination. While the urns for ashes of years gone by have been mostly smooth surfaces that were nothing extraordinary, many you find today include a rich texture that adds an entirely new dimension and invites touching. When you think of texture, think of the different "feel" that certain fabrics have, such as silk or burlap; this is the difference that you will find in the finishes of many cremation urns in modern times. The "value" of urns relates to how light or dark the piece is. By combining colors and various values, cremation urns are created in a countless array of colors and shades from the very lightest to rich and dark.
While it's still common for cremation urns to be buried underground, many are used as memorial displays in a home or office as a constant reminder of a loved one who has gone on. Still others are kept for only a short time until the ashes are scattered upon land or water. The beauty and skill contained in urns for ashes are not only for looks; they also represent the respect you have for a loved one, and allow you to pay tribute in a beautiful, loving manner. As exquisitely crafted as the urns you find today tend to be, you will find it hard not to put a beautiful piece of work on display for all to see - and you definitely won't find it years later in the attic or back of a closet.
