How to Bury an Urn
When a loved one passes on, you need to make several tough decisions. First you need to decide if your loved one preferred to be buried in a coffin or cremated and buried in an urn. You can then discuss with your family where to bury the urn. There are several options for handling the urn, and each one has its benefits.
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Instructions
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Select an urn. You have two choices in burial urns. A biodegradable urn is environmentally friendly and a good choice if you plan on burying your loved one on your family property. A permanent urn will last the test of time and is a good choice for burying your loved one in a graveyard, family tomb or crematory memorial garden.
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Make arrangements with the cemetery or crematory memorial gardens director if you want your loved one to be buried in a plot or tomb. If you aren't sure which cemetery or crematory memorial garden to use, ask the funeral director to recommend some to you.
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Contact your local government to find out their rules on home burials. Most states allow home burials as long as you have permission of the property owner, but each county or township may have its own rules. These rules may include the required burial depth and how far away from any permanent structures the burial site must be. For example, North Carolina and Mississippi require urns to be buried at least 150 feet from any water supply, and 25 feet from either a neighbor's property or a power line.
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Dig a space for your urn based on the instructions you got from your local government. The space should be slightly larger than the urn. For example, according to California health and safety code section 8113-8113.7, there must be a minimum of 18 inches of dirt or turf above the buried urn.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't bury the urn on your property if you plan on selling it, as you might not be allowed to return and visit the site.
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