Frequently Asked Questions
Losing a companion brings questions
– some practical, some tender.
We've answered the ones we hear most often below.
If yours isn't here, please reach out. We're always glad to help.
The urn & material
What are Naturn urns made of?
Naturn urns are made from Sulapac®, a bio-based material developed in Finland from sustainably sourced wood and plant-based binders. It looks and feels solid and natural, but unlike conventional plastic it is designed to return to the earth leaving no permanent microplastics behind.
Where are Naturn urns made?
Naturn urns are designed and made in Finland.
Are Naturn urns really biodegradable?
Yes. Sulapac® is a genuinely biodegradable material, certified industrially compostable to the European EN 13432 standard. When it eventually breaks down it becomes CO₂, water and biomass — the same way wood and fallen leaves do — without leaving microplastics or toxic residue in the soil.
How long does a Naturn urn take to break down?
Biodegradation isn't a fixed countdown as it depends on the surroundings. The material needs warmth, moisture and the microorganisms naturally present in soil to begin returning to the earth, and the pace varies with climate, soil type and season. Given these conditions vary we won't quote an exact figure.
Will the urn start to break down while I keep it at home?
No. Sulapac® only begins to biodegrade when it meets the warmth, moisture and microbes of soil or composting. Kept indoors, on a shelf or in a cupboard, a Naturn urn stays solid and unchanged — so you can keep your companion close for as long as feels right before deciding what comes next.
Is the material safe – for me, my family and the soil?
Yes. Sulapac® is free from permanent microplastics and toxic substances, and the material has passed independent ecotoxicity testing — meaning its breakdown products don't harm the plants or soil around it. It's safe to handle at home and safe to return to your garden.
Choosing & using your urn
What size urn do I need for my pet?
As a general guide, a pet's weight in life translates roughly to the volume of ashes left behind, so each Naturn line is offered in several sizes to match. If you're unsure which size fits your companion, check out our sizing guide or contact us and we'll help you choose.
How do I place my pet's ashes in the urn?
Most cremated ashes are returned in a sealed bag inside a temporary container from your vet or crematorium. You can place that bag directly into the Naturn urn, or pour the ashes in and close it — whichever feels gentler for you. All Naturn urns have a screw top lid so no tools are required.
Can I keep the urn indoors as a lasting memorial?
Absolutely. Many families keep a Naturn urn at home — on a shelf, a mantel, or a quiet corner — for months or years before burial, or simply choose to keep it indefinitely.
Because the material stays stable until it's in the ground, the choice of when or whether to bury is entirely yours.
Can I bury the urn in my own garden?
Yes — earth burial is what Naturn urns are made for. A quiet spot in your own garden, a flowerbed you tend, or beneath a tree your pet loved are all common choices.
One practical note: rules on burying pet remains on private land vary by country and municipality, so it's worth a quick check of your local guidance first.
Will burying my pet's ashes harm my plants or a tree?
This is a thoughtful question many people ask. Cremated ashes are mineral-rich and slightly alkaline, which a concentrated amount placed right against young roots can find harsh.
If you're planting a tree or flowers over the spot, mixing the ashes into a wider area of soil rather than a single pocket helps everything settle gently together.
Can I use a Naturn urn for a water ceremony?
Naturn urns are designed as keepsakes and for earth burial, not as fast-dissolving water-scattering urns — the material is built to stay solid until it meets soil. However, our convenient screw top lid enables you to easily scatter ashes from the urn.
Can I keep some of the ashes as a keepsake too?
Many families choose to do exactly this — returning most of the ashes to the earth while keeping a small portion in a keepsake or piece of memorial jewellery. There's no single right way to say goodbye, and choosing both isn't indecision; it's simply a memorial shaped around what comforts you.
Ordering & delivery
Can I have the urn engraved or personalised?
The Usva line can be personalised with engraving. It's a quiet way to make the urn unmistakably your companion's.
What colours are available?
The Riite and Kaarna lines each have four options: light or black – each with a matching or a neutral coloured lid. Usva only comes in one colour. You can choose the one that feels closest to your companion and your home.
How long does delivery take, and where do you ship?
We currently ship to Finland and the rest of the European Union, with other destinations planned for later. Orders are dispatched from Finland within 1–2 business days. After dispatch, delivery typically takes 1–2 business days within Finland and 3–5 business days within the EU. See our Shipping Policy for full details.
What if I need to return or exchange my order?
You have 14 days from delivery to return your order – see our full Returns & Right of Withdrawal policy for details. Engraved Usva urns are excluded from returns since they're made to your specification. To start a return, please contact us.