Pronunciation: [ˈɜːn] (IPA) 
The word "urn" is spelled with three letters: "u", "r", and "n". The IPA transcription for "urn" is /ɜːrn/. The "u" is pronounced as the vowel sound in "bird" or "herd". The "r" is pronounced as a softened version of the "r" sound, with the tip of the tongue raised toward the roof of the mouth. The "n" is pronounced as the common "n" sound. Together, these three letters create a simple and easily recognizable word.
An urn is a container of various shapes, sizes, and materials, commonly designed with a pedestal or base, that is used for storing and displaying the ashes or cremains of a deceased individual after the cremation process. The term "urn" is derived from the Latin word "urna," which means a vessel or jar. Urns have been used for the storage of cremated remains for centuries and play a significant role in various cultural practices and funeral rites.
Urns can be made from different materials such as metal, wood, glass, ceramic, or stone. They are often intricately decorated with designs, engravings, or paintings, reflecting the deceased's personality, beliefs, or cultural traditions. The size of an urn can vary depending on the quantity of cremains it can hold. Some urns also have a secure closure, like a lid or stopper, to ensure the safekeeping of the ashes.
Apart from being functional containers, urns also hold a symbolic value. They signify the final resting place of the deceased and serve as a memorial or tribute to their life. Many people choose to keep urns at their homes, display them in columbariums or mausoleums, or bury them in cemeteries. Moreover, urns can be personalized to honor the memories of loved ones, making them unique and meaningful objects of remembrance.
Overall, urns have become an essential part of the funeral industry, serving as vessels to preserve and memorialize the ashes of the deceased, while also reflecting the cultural and individual significance attached to them.
A vessel of a roundish form bulging out or swelling in the middle; a vessel for keeping water hot at table; a vessel in which the ashes of the dead were kept in anc. times; in bot., the theca or spore-case of mosses.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "urn" has its origins in the Latin word "urna", which referred to a vessel or pot. The Latin term itself traces its roots back to the Greek word "hyrne" (pronounced as "hur-neh"), which also meant a vessel or urn. The Greek term "hyrne" shares a common root with the Sanskrit word "ghatika", which means a pot or jar. Thus, the etymology of "urn" can be traced back to ancient Indo-European languages.
