How to Open a Cremation Urn

Cremation urns are used to hold the cremated remains of loved ones so that you can either spread the ashes at a site sacred to the individual or keep them on display as a gentle reminder of your lost loved one. Urns come in two forms: a box form and a vase form. Each is opened and sealed differently. Both types of urns need to be opened carefully so as to not spill the ashes contained and to prevent damaging the urn rendering it unfit to house the cremains.

Turn the box upside down.

Unscrew the screws at the bottom of the urn with the screwdriver.

Pry gently with a butter knife placed into the space between the lid and urn to open the top. Place the screws into the small container so they are not lost.

Fill the urn with ashes or, if it already contains ashes, spread them in the desired location.

Place the lid back on top of the urn. Screw the screws back in with the screwdriver and display the urn in a place that is special to you.

Wet the end of a cotton swab with acetone fingernail polish remover.

Rub the wet end of the cotton swab along the rim of the urn lid. This should start to remove whatever glue was applied before.

Open the lid with the butter knife by prying gently into the space between the lid and urn.

Stick the cotton swab with the fingernail polish remover in as far as it will go. Use more cotton swabs as needed as described in Step 2 until the lid comes off.

Close the urn again by applying epoxy or other strong, quick-setting glue around the seal of the lid, placing the seal on the urn and holding for a few seconds to allow the glue to set.