How Businesses Making 3D Printed Urns Are Helping People Process Grief

by / ⠀Entrepreneurship / October 7, 2024
3D printed urns
The death care industry has turned a corner, utilizing the latest technological innovations to help millions of people with grieving. One of the most interesting and promising developments in this area is the emergence of 3D-printed urns. Why are 3D-printed urns such an exciting development? And where does this technology go from here? The Basics of 3D Printed Urns If you aren’t familiar with 3D printing technology, it expands and improves upon conventional printing. Rather than simply applying ink to paper, 2-dimensionally complicated machines can use various materials (most commonly plastics) to create intricate 3D shapes designed from scratch. While 3D printing technology itself has been around for decades, it’s only in the past decade that it has exploded in both capabilities and new applications.  Different 3D printers operate in slightly different ways and can use various types of materials, but typically, these models are printed as designed, layer by layer. That’s why this process is sometimes referred to as additive manufacturing. 3D-printed urns capitalize on this novel manufacturing technology, and many death care businesses have integrated it into their service offerings. According to Susan Fraser of In The Light Urns, “With over ten years of experience modeling and detailing 3D printed urns, we understand that creating these custom cremation urns is more than just a process, more than just a custom memorial. It is a uniquely personal experience. Each step, from concept to final print, requires time and collaboration, but the result is a one-of-a-kind tribute that provides lasting comfort to families for generations.”  Typically, these businesses have a wide selection of different urn models from which customers can choose. More importantly, they allow people to create and customize their own urns from scratch. In this process, it’s typical for customers to work directly with artists and designers, who can help guide the vision to a professional-looking finished product that’s physically capable of being 3D printed. Once the customer is happy with the vision in a digital form, it’s sent to the 3D printer, where it’s produced over days to weeks. Remember that creating custom 3D-printed urns is time- and resource-intensive. Highly skilled designers and artists work to perfect every detail, so larger and more complex pieces can take several weeks to develop. Additionally, the costs of customizing a 3D-printed urn reflect the time and effort involved, which may be out of budget for some families.  From there, the customer receives a beautiful 3D-printed memorial they can use as they see fit. Why People Love 3D Printed Urns Why are some people so interested in 3D printed urns? There are many reasons:
  •       Growing accessibility. First, 3D printing is becoming more accessible and widespread by the day. As this manufacturing method becomes more popular, more businesses are beginning to offer it (and find creative ways to use it). While existing to serve isolated niches, 3D printing products and services are gradually becoming more mainstream. 
  •       Unlimited possibilities. A good designer and a professional 3D printing unit can create almost anything imaginable. That means there are practically unlimited possibilities for the urn you create. No longer do mourners have to simply resign to choosing a generic product off the shelf; instead, they can create and keep something totally unique. Your finished product will be a one-of-a-kind work of art. 
  •       Personal creativity. This is also an opportunity to exercise some personal creativity and artistry. If a specific design or idea represents this person, you can integrate it into the 3D urn design. If you like the idea of creatively experimenting, you can do that. You can turn the urn into a beautiful work of art that the person you lost would have loved.
  •       Collaboration with pros. If that idea sounds intimidating to you, don’t worry. You don’t have to do all the work yourself. Most people exploit the collaborative potential of working with skilled in-house designers. If you’re willing to swap ideas with an experienced professional, you can have a better-finished product.
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The Businesses Pushing the Limits of 3D Printing If you’re looking for a business that can help you 3D print the perfect urn for your loved one, make sure you consider:
  •       The business. Look into the business itself. What types of products and services does it sell? What kind of reputation does it hold?
  •       The process. If you order a 3D-printed urn here, what is the process like? How much creative control do you have? Do you have access to professional designers as well?
  •       The work. Can you see examples of the work this company has done in the past? What kind of quality assurance policies are in place?
  •       The prices. You’ll also need to consider the price. How do the prices of these 3D-printed urns compare to comparable products from other providers? How did they compare to standard memorial urns?
  •       Reviews and testimonials. What do past customers have to say about this business and its products?
3D-printed urns aren’t going anywhere. In fact, they’re likely to become even more popular as more people realize their incredible advantages and as new technologies broaden the range of possibilities.   Photo by Sergey Korolev: Pexels

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About The Author

April Isaacs is a staff writer and editor with over 10 years of experience. Bachelor's degree in Journalism. Minor in Business Administration Former contributor to various tech and startup-focused publications. Creator of the popular "Startup Spotlight" series, featuring promising new ventures.

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