Urn

[William]

OK, I know this will likely rank pretty high on the "weird-s...-o-meter" but I would like to be cremated when I pass and was thinking about making my own wooden burial urn with relief carving, woodburning and paint showing things I've done during my life up to and including woodcarving and whatever the future my hold.

I bought two cemetery plots 40 years ago when the new (at the time) cemetery opened a veterans section. I plan to have the urn buried under the headstone of one of my full size plots because I like a large front yard and was wondering if anyone has ever made a burial urn.

As far as dimensions it looks like they are about 240 Cu Inches, 9" x 6.25" x 5.75" external or any combination that would make up 240 CI.

Bill
^v^

[cannuckcarver]

Well Bill I did not contemplate on making an urn....sure is a good idea.
Let us see it when done.

[Thor]

Bill, with your skills, I think it will be a difficult task for your surviving family members to bury such a work of art, but I do think it is a wonderful idea. I look forward to seeing the story depiction and hearing more about this project. I also hope you have much more to add to the story, and will leave room for your future to be told as well.
Christina

[Cottonwood]

That sounds like a good project and I am sure that your wood urn would be of better quality that some on the market today. It has been my task to fill many of these when I was in the funeral business. I may be able to give you some specific pointers concerning construction and the access port, if you would like to PM me,.... we wouldn't risk freaking anybody out on the message board.

[William]

Thank you Christina, that was very nice of you to say. I originally considered a biodegradable urn but after seeing the wooden urns I thought I cold make one myself and I like the idea of being surrounded by something I did and really enjoy.

Millard, I'll send you a PM next.
"I may be able to give you some specific pointers concerning construction and the access port"... you are reading my mind Millard, that is just the sort of information I'm looking for. If I were doing this for a loved one it would be viewed differently but to do it for myself may be a little freaky to some.

I can here my family now.... "BILLY!!!".... I haven't been called Billy many times during the last 50 years but they usually add the "y" when I cross the line like when I bought my first Harley Chopper or when I had a long pony tail...hehe

HappY Trails
Bill
^v^

[brian-bailey]

Hi Bill,

Nothing wrong with thinking ahead. What's wrong is the high cost of these wooden urns.

Here are some pictures of the urn that I'm currently working on. They say pictures are worth a 1000 words, so if you have any questions feel free to PM me.

Basic box construction, 5 parts (only four shown in pics). Base, box, sub top, top, and bottom access plate.

Inside dimensions for this box 10 7/8" long x 6 3/8" wide x 6 3/8" high.

All joinery is splined miters.

Access to the urn is from the bottom.

Hope this helps.

[William]

WOW! That's really impressive Brian, excellent work.

Is it all Butternut including the splined miters and how do you plan to attach the access cover?

I have most of the tools needed or at least access to tools except a jig for the splined miters but I can come up with something.

Thanks for posting the pictures, they will be very helpful.

Bill
^v^

[brian-bailey]

Thanks Bill.

The base and sub top is made from curly red oak. The rest is butternut.

You don't need a jig to cut the grooves for the splines. They can all be cut with the table saw using the miter gauge and fence.

In the 3rd picture, you can see the rabbit (bottom of box) that the access plate screws into. I haven't decided yet whether to use brass or plywood for the plate.

The urn didn't take long to make, wish I could say the same for the carving!

[Thor]

Brian, I would love to see more of the carvings on the urn you are working on. It looks like a very heart felt project. Lovely box as well.
Christina

[brian-bailey]

Originally Posted by Thor

Brian, I would love to see more of the carvings on the urn you are working on. It looks like a very heart felt project. Lovely box as well.
Christina

Thanks Christina.

I started a thread on the Relief carving board titled "Special Project". I'll post more pictures there when I get the carvings done. I'm a slow carver so it might be awhile.

I just posted these pictures here so Bill could see how I made this style of urn instead of trying to describe it in print.