urnas

Urnas is a term used in several languages to denote a container intended to hold cremated remains or ceremonial substances. In English, the corresponding term is urn, with the plural urns; urnas serves as the plural form in languages such as Spanish, Portuguese, and Lithuanian. The root is the Latin urna, meaning a vessel or jar. Modern urns vary widely in form and function.

Materials and design: Urnas are manufactured from ceramic, porcelain, glass, metal (such as brass or stainless steel), stone, or wood. They range from simple, unadorned vessels to elaborately decorated pieces with engravings, inlays, or painted scenes. Some urnas are designed to be sealed with a lid or stopper and may include an inner liner or outer enclosure for protection or transport. Many are sized to accommodate the remains of a single individual, while others are designed for multiple occupants.

Use and cultural context: Cremation urns are used to store ashes after cremation and may be placed in cemetery niches, buried in a grave, kept at home, or used for scattering if permitted by local law. Urnas can be personalized with inscriptions, portraits, or symbols significant to the deceased or family. In various cultures, urns also served as ritual vessels or containers for ceremonial offerings, not solely for cremation remains.