Sand Water Burial Urn

Folded from a heavy biodegradable paper board in a sand colour, this urn opens out to 17 by 12 inches and stands only 3 inches deep. It is built to float for a few minutes on open water, then break apart and sink, carrying the ashes down with it. Nothing in its construction is plastic or coated.

Capacity is 240 cubic inches, which covers an adult of up to about 240 pounds, well past the usual 200 cubic inch standard. Ashes go in through an opening in the side rather than the top, which keeps the urn flat while you fill it. This is made for a single ceremony at sea, on a lake or on a river, not for display beforehand.

• Fill through the side opening while the urn lies flat on a table
• Floats briefly, then sinks and breaks down; no plastic or varnish in it
• Check local rules on water scattering, which vary by state and waterway