Baby urns for ashes
Choosing a baby urn is an intensely personal decision. It may be for a baby who was born too soon, a stillborn baby, a premature baby or a very young baby. There is no right pace and no single right choice. The most important thing is that the urn, keepsake or memorial feels gentle, respectful and bearable for your family.
On this page you will find gentle guidance on baby urns for ashes, small baby urns, stillborn baby urns, premature baby urns, keepsake urns and delicate memorial options. Some families choose a small urn for all the ashes. Others prefer a keepsake urn, a piece of memorial jewellery, a biodegradable urn or a quiet place of remembrance at home. If you are still comparing different types of urns and keepsakes, you can also return to our cremation ashes keepsakes collection.
You do not need to make every decision at once. If you are unsure about size, material, wording, personalisation or whether to keep all or only part of the ashes, your funeral director, crematorium, hospital bereavement team or our team can help you check the practical details calmly.
What is a baby urn?
A baby urn is a small cremation urn designed to hold the ashes of a baby or very young baby. It is usually much smaller than an adult cremation urn and is often designed with soft shapes, gentle colours or subtle symbols such as a heart, star, flower, butterfly, cloud, teardrop or candle.
Families may use different words when searching for this type of memorial, including baby urn, baby cremation urn, stillborn baby urn, premature baby urn, small baby urn or keepsake urn. The best choice depends on the actual amount of ashes, the intended place of remembrance and what feels right to the family.
How to choose a baby urn gently
It can help to divide the choice into a few practical questions. This makes the decision less overwhelming and helps avoid choosing an urn that is too small, unsuitable for the intended place or not in line with the family’s wishes.
Gentle questions before choosing a baby urn
| Question |
Why it matters |
Helpful direction |
| How much ash needs to be kept? |
The actual amount can vary by individual situation and crematorium. |
Ask the funeral director or crematorium for the actual volume where possible. |
| Will all ashes be kept in one urn? |
A full ashes urn needs more capacity than a keepsake urn. |
Choose a slightly larger urn if all ashes will be kept together. |
| Will part of the ashes be kept separately? |
Some families choose keepsakes or memorial jewellery for parents, grandparents or siblings. |
Ask whether dividing the ashes is possible and how much will remain for the urn. |
| Where will the urn be placed? |
Home placement, cemetery placement, burial or scattering may require different materials. |
Check location rules and product suitability before choosing. |
| Should the urn be personalised? |
A name, date, symbol or short message can make the memorial more personal. |
Simple details often feel most gentle on a small urn. |
What size urn do I need for a baby?
The size of a baby urn depends mainly on the actual amount of ashes. This may relate to the baby’s weight before cremation, but it can also depend on the crematorium, the individual situation and whether all or only part of the ashes will be kept in the urn.
The table below is a general guide only. If possible, ask the crematorium, funeral director or hospital bereavement team for the actual amount of ashes before choosing. For broader guidance, you can also use our urn size calculator and size guide.
Important: for very early pregnancy loss, ashes may not always be available in the same way. Please ask the hospital, crematorium or funeral director what is possible in your situation.
Approximate baby urn size guide
| Situation |
Approximate weight guidance |
Approximate urn capacity |
Practical note |
| Very early pregnancy loss, where ashes are available |
Not possible to give a reliable general weight |
About 0.05 to 0.1 L / 3 to 6 cu in |
Always check the actual amount with the hospital, crematorium or funeral director. |
| Premature baby or stillborn baby, smaller ash volume |
Up to about 1 kg / 2.2 lb |
About 0.1 to 0.2 L / 6 to 12 cu in |
A very small urn or keepsake urn may be suitable, depending on the actual ashes. |
| Premature baby, stillborn baby or baby with a larger ash volume |
Up to about 5.5 kg / 12 lb |
About 0.2 to 0.4 L / 12 to 24 cu in |
Choose a little reserve if all ashes will be kept in one urn. |
| Very young baby, up to about one year |
Up to about 9.5 kg / 21 lb |
About 0.75 L / 46 cu in |
Check the actual ash volume before choosing, especially if a keepsake will also be filled. |
If you are unsure between two sizes, it is usually safer to choose the slightly larger urn. This gives more reassurance and may leave space for a small note, hospital bracelet, lock of hair or another tiny keepsake if the urn design allows this.
Baby urn, small baby urn or keepsake urn?
The words can overlap, but they do not always mean exactly the same thing. A baby urn is usually chosen when all or most of the ashes will be kept together. A small baby urn or keepsake urn is often used for a symbolic portion of ashes.
Choosing between a baby urn and a keepsake
| Option |
Often suitable when |
What to check |
| Baby urn for ashes |
You want to keep all or most of the ashes in one small urn. |
Capacity, place of remembrance, material and whether a little reserve is needed. |
| Small baby urn |
The ash volume is small or the memorial should remain very discreet. |
Actual ash volume, external dimensions and whether the design feels gentle enough. |
| Keepsake urn |
Only a small symbolic amount of ashes will be kept. |
Whether the remaining ashes will be kept, buried, scattered or shared with family. |
| Memorial jewellery |
A parent or family member wants to keep a tiny remembrance close. |
Filling method, sealing, emotional readiness and whether this feels right for the person wearing it. |
Symbols and shapes for baby urns
Many baby urns are intentionally quiet in design. A small symbol can say something without needing many words. Common motifs include hearts, stars, clouds, butterflies, flowers, little animals, soft round shapes, candles and teardrops.
A heart may express love and belonging. A star can feel connected to protection, nearness or a small life that remains present in memory. A butterfly can suggest gentleness and fragility. A teardrop shape may reflect grief in a subtle way. There is no symbol that is right for every family. The only important question is whether it feels meaningful to you.
Heart-shaped baby urns
A heart-shaped baby urn can be suitable when love and closeness are central to the memorial. The shape is simple, recognisable and often chosen when families want a design that is soft without being too detailed.
One example is a heart-shaped mini urn. Before choosing, check the capacity, dimensions, material and whether the urn is intended for indoor placement, burial or another form of remembrance.
Teardrop urns for babies
A teardrop urn can feel very quiet and symbolic. It may reflect grief and love without using many words. Some families choose this shape because it is simple, soft and not too decorative.
You can view examples in our teardrop urns collection. Always check whether the specific urn is suitable for the amount of ashes and the intended place.
Baby urns with a candle holder
Some families find comfort in lighting a candle at certain moments, such as a birthday, due date, anniversary, remembrance day or a quiet evening at home. An urn with a candle holder can create a small, gentle place of remembrance.
Safety note: always place candles carefully and never leave a burning candle unattended. If children or pets are nearby, an LED candle may feel safer.
Biodegradable baby urns and scattering tubes
A biodegradable urn may be considered when a natural burial or return to nature feels right and is allowed in the chosen place. These urns are made from materials designed to break down under suitable conditions.
You can view an example of a biodegradable mini urn. Some families also consider an ashes scattering tube if scattering is permitted and feels appropriate. Always check local rules and ask your funeral director, crematorium or chosen location before making this decision.
Materials for baby urns
The material affects the feeling, weight, durability and suitable placement of the urn. Not every material is suitable for every use, so always check the individual product description.
Common materials for baby urns
| Material |
Appearance and feeling |
Often suitable for |
| Ceramic |
Soft, handcrafted and often suited to gentle symbolic shapes. |
Mainly indoor or protected placement, depending on the model. |
| Bronze or metal |
Durable, carefully finished and often suitable for detailed designs. |
Home placement and, depending on the model, some outdoor or cemetery settings. |
| Wood |
Natural, quiet and warm in appearance. |
Indoor or protected placement. |
| Biodegradable material |
Simple, natural and intended to return to the earth. |
Natural burial or scattering-related use, where permitted. |
| Glass or mixed materials |
Delicate, light-reflecting and symbolic. |
Indoor or protected placement. |
Personalised baby urns
Many baby urns can be personalised, depending on the material and design. A name, date, initials, a small star, heart, flower, short message, colour detail, photo or engraving may be possible.
Personalisation does not need to be elaborate. On a small urn, a simple name, date or symbol is often enough. Some families choose a custom-made urn when they have a very specific idea, drawing, colour or symbol in mind. We will always advise carefully about what is possible for the chosen material.
Keepsakes and memorial jewellery alternatives
Some parents, grandparents or siblings may wish to keep a small personal remembrance. This might be a keepsake urn, a mini urn, a rose keepsake, a photo box, a letter, a lock of hair, a hospital bracelet or a piece of memorial jewellery.
Memorial jewellery or ashes jewellery is not right for everyone. It can feel comforting for one person and too close or too difficult for another. If you are unsure, it may be better to wait or choose a non-ashes keepsake first.
Practical note: if ashes will be divided between an urn, keepsakes or jewellery, ask the funeral director or crematorium to help if you do not want to do this yourself.
Where can a baby urn be kept or placed?
A baby urn may be kept at home, placed in a quiet memorial space, buried, placed in a cemetery or used as part of another form of remembrance, depending on your wishes and local rules. Some families choose a shelf, cabinet, bedroom, memory corner or a place with a candle, flower, photograph or small keepsake.
If the urn will be placed in a cemetery, columbarium, memorial garden or another official location, check the rules before choosing. Size, material, closure and whether a biodegradable urn is required can all matter. If you are considering keeping ashes at home, you may also find our page about keeping cremation ashes at home helpful.
Support while making decisions
Choosing an urn after the loss of a baby can happen while parents and family members are also facing hospital conversations, funeral arrangements, paperwork and grief. You do not have to carry every question alone.
For practical matters, your funeral director, crematorium, hospital bereavement midwife or bereavement team may be able to guide you. For emotional support, families in the UK may also wish to contact specialist organisations such as Sands, Child Bereavement UK or Tommy’s baby loss support.
If you feel at immediate risk or unsafe, please contact emergency services, urgent medical support or someone you trust straight away.
Frequently asked questions about baby urns
What is a baby urn?
A baby urn is a small cremation urn designed to hold the ashes of a baby or very young baby. It is usually smaller than an adult urn and may have a gentle symbolic design.
What size urn do I need for a baby?
The size depends mainly on the actual amount of ashes. As a general guide, very small baby urns may start around 0.05 to 0.1 litres, while some situations may require more capacity. Please ask the crematorium or funeral director for the actual amount where possible.
Is there an urn size calculator?
Yes. You can use our urn size calculator and size guide for broader guidance. For baby urns, always check the actual amount of ashes with the crematorium, funeral director or hospital bereavement team where possible.
Is there a separate urn for a stillborn baby?
Many small baby urns and keepsake urns may be suitable after stillbirth, depending on the amount of ashes and the family’s wishes. The phrase stillborn baby urn is often used when families are looking for a gentle, smaller urn after stillbirth.
Can I keep only part of the ashes in a baby urn?
Yes, in some situations families keep part of the ashes in a baby urn and another small portion in a keepsake urn or memorial jewellery. Ask the funeral director or crematorium to help if ashes need to be divided.
Can a baby urn be personalised?
Many baby urns can be personalised with a name, date, initials, a small symbol, colour detail, short message, photo or engraving. The options depend on the material and the design.
Which symbols are often chosen for baby urns?
Common symbols include hearts, stars, clouds, butterflies, flowers, teardrops, candles and soft round shapes. The best symbol is the one that feels meaningful and gentle to the family.
Can a biodegradable urn be used for a baby?
Sometimes, yes. A biodegradable baby urn may be suitable for a natural burial or return to nature, but only where this is allowed and appropriate. Check local rules and the product description before choosing.
Can baby ashes be kept in memorial jewellery?
In some situations, a very small symbolic amount of ashes can be placed in memorial jewellery. This is a very personal choice and may not feel right for everyone. There is no need to decide immediately.
Where can I ask for support after baby loss?
You may wish to speak with your hospital bereavement team, bereavement midwife, funeral director or crematorium. Specialist organisations such as Sands, Child Bereavement UK and Tommy’s also offer baby loss and bereavement support.
Need help choosing a baby urn?
Choosing a baby urn for ashes is not a normal purchase. You may be comparing size, material, symbolism, personalisation, a keepsake urn, memorial jewellery or a place of remembrance while also coping with grief.
If you have questions about size, capacity, material, personalisation or a specific baby urn, please contact legendURN. We will answer carefully and calmly, without pressure.
Memorial candle holder keepsake urn 'Eternal Love' | bronze & silver grey384.00 £ VAT included
Hand-sculpted keepsake urn 'Angel of hope' with candle holder729.00 £ VAT included
Heart shaped candle holder keepsake urn 'Tenderness' | bronze & silver grey257.00 £ VAT included
Ceramic keepsake urn with silver-coloured heart, matte black-grey299.00 £ VAT included
Cremation Ashes Keepsake urn 'Satori' Heart | mother of pearl pink105.00 £ VAT included
White ceramic keepsake urn 'Teardrop' with gold-coloured heart231.00 £ VAT included
