Corten steel companion cremation urn 'Arms'

Two arms, still holding

The 'Arms' cremation urn is shaped as two arching forms that lean towards one another, like arms drawing someone close. That is not a decorative decision. It is the whole point of this piece: a way of making visible the bond between two people who moved through life together.

Two spaces, one object

Each arch holds its own compartment, sized for the full ashes of one adult. Together, the 'Arms' functions as a companion urn for two people. If you prefer to use the second compartment differently, there is space for a personal object: a photograph, a ring, something your loved one always kept close. The urn is suitable for use with or without an ash bag.

Corten steel: a material that changes with time

Corten steel is not ordinary metal. The alloy combines iron with copper, phosphorus, silicon, nickel and chromium. When exposed to moisture and oxygen, these elements react to form a dense oxide layer that seals and protects the steel from within, making painting unnecessary. The colour starts as a vivid orange-brown and deepens over months and years into a rich, layered tone. No two pieces age identically. What you see on the surface is the result of time and circumstance, and that is part of what makes this urn for ashes genuinely individual.

Formed by bending and welding

Corten steel is only available as flat sheet material. The arching form of the 'Arms' is achieved by bending and welding that sheet, a process that demands real precision. The two arches are not cast from a mould. They are built up from separate components that must align exactly for the finished form to read as one. That care is evident in every completed piece.

What is good to know before you place the urn

Corten steel rewards a little thought about where and how it is kept. This urn is designed for indoor use. The points below are practical rather than alarming, and knowing them in advance makes a real difference to how the material settles over time.

Surface changes in the early weeks

In the first few weeks after arrival, the outer mill scale that forms during production may begin to lift away. This is a normal part of the process. The steel is treated during manufacture to accelerate the formation of its protective oxide layer, so the surface stabilises sooner. Any marks or colour variation that appear in this early period will even out as the patina develops. If the surface needs cleaning, water and a mild soap are all that is required.

Choosing the right surface to place the urn on

During the early stages, a small amount of rust-coloured water may run from the base of the urn. For this reason, porous stone surfaces and stainless steel are not recommended as a base. Choose a surface that can absorb or contain any minor run-off without being marked by it. A tray or a piece of sealed timber works well.

If the surface is scratched or damaged

Should the surface be scratched, corten steel will begin forming a new oxide layer over the affected area. The colour in that spot may differ from the existing patina for a period before it catches up. This is a property of the material itself, not a sign of a fault in the piece.

A lasting mark of the bond you shared

The 'Arms' funeral urn needs no label or inscription to communicate what it holds. Its form does that work. If you would like to make the piece more personal, the second compartment offers a quiet way to do so: a small photograph, a piece of jewellery, or any object that carried meaning for the person you are remembering. The urn becomes a place for more than ashes. It becomes a place for the whole of who they were.

If you would like to talk through what might work in that space, or have any questions about the urn, we are here and happy to take the time with you.