About Paper Mache Cremation Urns

Made by skilled sculpture Morgan Clements from Everista Memorial Art.

About the Artist

Morgan Clements is an award winning artist who received his MFA from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California.

Morgan Clements is a representational and impressionistic sculpture. That mean he is interested in sculpting things in a recognizable and relatable way. His MFA Thesis was based on funerary and religious art and creating ceramic art that could withstand outdoor display in harsh conditions.

While exploring ideas for headstones and monuments made of clay, Morgan realized there was a real need for artistic urns that didn’t look like urns. While exploring this idea, he came across the green burial movement and decided to make a line of urns that are earth friendly.

When he realized that urns need to be more than containers for ashes, he began designing urns that could be a central part of the memorial service, or could be displayed in the home until it was time to find a perfect spot to place it.

He wanted to create urns that were true pieces of art. And in his mind that meant more than just being beautiful.

In order to be art, the urns had to have innate meaning and the ability to evoke within the viewer something meaningful to them, something the viewer could connect with. But more importantly, something that would connect them to their lost loved one.

While being an artist is rewarding, Morgan says there is nothing more rewarding than hearing how much his urns have helped someone connect with their lost loved one and have a meaningful memorial.

Paper Mache Cremation Urns

Paper Mache cremation urns are becoming a common item available for those who are looking for Biodegradable, earth-friendly urns. Did you know there is more than one type of paper mache?

What are the different types of Paper Mache?

Paper Mache is a versatile craft material that can be used to create a variety of objects, from simple decorations to intricate sculptures.

Arabic Paper Mache boxes and the paper Mache used for piñatas are two common types of paper Mache. 

They have the same name, but they are very different from each other.

Throughout this article, we refer to Arabic Paper Mache as Fine Paper Mache and the type used for piñatas as regular, common, or normal Paper Mache.

What is the difference between Fine Paper Mache and Regular Paper Mache?

The main difference between Arabic Paper Mache boxes and the Paper Mache used for piñatas is the materials and techniques used to make them.

Fine Paper Mache is typically made from a mixture of paper pulp, glue, and water. The paper pulp is made from recycled paper. The pulp gives the boxes a strong and durable finish. It can also be cast into intricate shapes.

This makes it an excellent material for making paper mache cremation urns. Regular Paper Mache, on the other hand, is typically made from a mixture of flour and water.

This type of Paper Mache is lighter and more brittle than Fine Paper Mache, making it better suited for making hollow objects like piñatas.

The finish is also different.

Another difference between Fine Paper Mache and common Paper Mache is the finish. Arabic Paper Mache items are typically painted or decorated with a variety of materials, such as beads, sequins, and glitter.

This gives the items a bright and festive appearance.

Regular Paper Mache, on the other hand, is typically painted with tempera paint and is often decorated with brightly colored paper. One of the main things made from regular Paper Mache is Piñatas.

Piñatas are meant to be broken, so fine finishes, elaborate painting, decoration, and high strength are not needed.

Fine Paper Mache has a different use than common Paper Mache.

Fine Paper Mache boxes are typically used for decorative purposes.

They can be used to store jewelry, trinkets, or other small items.

They are also used as decorative accents in a room.

 Here is a picture of a Paper Mache box made in the 1840s.

See this box at the Antiques Road Show

What is Common Paper Mache used for?

Common Paper Mache, on the other hand, is typically used for festive occasions, such as birthdays and holidays.

As mentioned earlier, Piñatas are the most recognizable common paper mache item.

But other decorations and fun sculptures are made with it. 

You can also find paper mache cremation urns made of this less durable material.

The advantage of this material is that it is light, inexpensive, and easy to make. 

The disadvantage is that it is not very durable and breaks easily. Which is why it is great for Piñatas.

Why did Everista choose Paper Mache for their Cremation urns?

Paper Mache can be made using biodegradable materials that break down quickly and leave no toxic elements in the environment. 

Not all paper Mache recipes are environmentally friendly.

Paper Mache that uses glue rather than natural materials like flour or starch as a binder, will leave PVA (plastic) behind when it breaks down.

Everista's Biodegradable Paper Mache Cremation Urns are made with Fine Paper Mache

Everista’s Paper Mache cremation urns needed to be made with a material they could cast.

They wanted to make an urn that was both beautiful and durable, and they definitely didn’t want an urn that looked like a piñata or cheap Paper Mache. 

Common Paper Mache is just not very classy and seems less dignified than Fine Paper Mache.

After months of research and development, Morgan was able to create a Fine Paper Mache material that could be used to make paper mache cremation urns that were both durable and beautiful, but also environmentally friendly. 

They did extensive testing to make sure the material would break down quickly, and be environmentally safe when buried on the land or in the water.

Everista focused on durability so your paper mache cremation urn could be displayed until you are ready to place it in its final resting spot. 

Following the tradition of Fine Paper Mache artists in the Far and Middle East ground paper was used, including clay, and plaster to create a fine and durable finish. This special combination will not break down until buried or placed in water.

A special blend of paint replaces the lacquer finish typically found on Fine Paper Mache boxes. The paint is not as shiny as lacquer, but it gives the paper mache urns a soft slightly polished finish, which makes it look like polished stone or wood. 

Its main advantage is it is not waterproof like lacquer, so it allows the urns to break down more easily.

All of this makes the difference between common Paper Mache and Fine Paper Mache. 

View the Paper Mache Cremation Urns and see what makes them different.