What is the primary purpose of an urn?

The primary purpose of an urn is to serve as a receptacle for permanently housing cremated remains. Urns are specifically designed to hold the ashes of individuals who have undergone cremation, providing a respectful and meaningful way to store and memorialize those remains. Using an urn allows families to retain a physical piece of their loved one in a manner that can be displayed, interred, or scattered according to their wishes.

In contrast, while other options might relate to aspects of memorialization or burial, they do not define the specific function of an urn. For example, a container for traditional burial or a display unit for memorial pictures do serve in memorial contexts, but they do not pertain to the handling of cremated remains, which is the unique role of an urn. Thus, the function of an urn is distinct and vital in the context of cremation services.