Marquette Oak Wood Urn

Oak shows its grain in long straight lines rather than swirls, and on a body this size the figure runs the full length of each face. The Marquette is a horizontal urn, a little over nine inches long and under six inches tall, which reads calmer on a mantel than a tall column does. The lid is fitted rather than hinged.

It holds 220 cubic inches, covering an adult up to roughly 220 pounds. Loading happens from the base: a plate on the underside comes off, the ashes go in, and the plate is screwed back into place. That leaves the top and all four visible faces uninterrupted, which is the reason to choose bottom loading if you plan to have a name and dates engraved on the lid or the front.

• Bottom-loading base plate keeps the visible faces clear
• 220 cu in; fits an adult up to about 220 lb
• Laser engraving available as a paid option