A while back I received a custom order for a handmade wooden pet urn, and in this post, I want to highlight my creation. This was my first time making a wooden pet urn, but I’ve been making wooden boxes for a while now.
It’s not much harder than making a box really, but the size and payout really depend on the pet. In this case, the buyer wanted to separate the ashes from the feathers of her pet bird.
Handmade wooden pet urns are gaining popularity with a lot of pet owners, as wood is a natural material and ages really well. Made correctly, a pet urn box can last a long time and serve as the perfect housing for ashes.
Advantages of a Wooden Pet Urn
Wooden pet urns offer several advantages over other options. Firstly, they provide a natural and timeless aesthetic that complements any home decor. Additionally, wood is a durable and sturdy material, ensuring that the urn will last for years to come. Lastly, wooden urns can be personalized with engravings or custom designs, allowing pet owners to create a meaningful tribute to their beloved companions.
Popular types of wood for making pet urns include oak, cherry, mahogany, and walnut. These woods are known for their durability, beauty, and ability to age gracefully over time.
Making My Wooden Pet Urn
My urn is made from sapele, a gorgeous African hardwood, and maple splines. I love the color and texture of sapele, and I happen to have a pile of good sapele boards in my workshop.
She provided the dimensions upfront, which made things much more manageable. The urn had to be at least 12″ long to accommodate the feathers and a smaller box inside for the ashes.
I made the lid fit as tight as I could, fine-tuning with my Veritas shoulder plane. I finished the box with Danish oil, my preferred finish for achieving a natural, deep tone from wood.
The last part of the process was engraving the name. Sapele is an easy wood, and the laser engraving turned out perfect. Obviously, I double-checked the name and date multiple times to avoid making a mistake.
I screwed a simple aged bronze latch to secure the box, although, in the future, I might want to make my own latches. Making wooden latches is tricky, but it adds more mystery to the box itself.
Rest in peace, Teal. Completing this handmade wooden pet urn and receiving gratitude for it was a great feeling for me as a weekend woodworker. I look forward to taking on more wooden pet cremation urn projects in the future, if I have time.
