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1. What is a Paper Boat Urn?
A Paper Boat Urn is a handcrafted paper urn designed to hold cremated remains during a water farewell ceremony. The boat, filled with the cremated remains, is gently placed on the water. It then moves with the current and wind as it begins its final journey, until the paper gradually becomes saturated and the boat begins to sink, allowing the ashes to settle into the water. Paper Boat Urns are intended for one-time ceremonial use and are made from biodegradable paper-based materials.
2. How does a Paper Boat Urn work in a water ceremony?
The ceremony can be arranged in any way that feels meaningful to you. The Paper Boat Urn becomes part of the farewell when you place the cremated remains inside it. You may also include a small personal gesture, such as a short letter or a flower. When you are ready, gently set the boat on the water and let it drift away with the current and wind. The boat floats for a few minutes until water fills it and it sinks. For detailed instructions on preparing and launching the boat, please see our How to Use the Paper Boat Urn guide.
3. What size Paper Boat Urn do I need?
The right size depends on how you would like to arrange the farewell. You may wish to place all of the cremated remains in one boat, release only a portion of the ashes, or divide them between several boats to create a ceremonial flotilla. The amount of cremated remains varies from one person or animal to another. The weight before cremation can provide a general indication of the amount of ash, but the actual amount may vary. For detailed capacity information and guidance on choosing the right size, please see our Size Guide (4.) below. If you are unsure which option would be most suitable, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
4. How much cremated ash can a boat hold (Size Guide)?
Our standard Paper Boat Urns have different safe load capacities, depending on their size:
* Small – for pets up to approximately 4 kg / 9 lbs, with a safe load capacity of about 0.3 liters of ashes
* Medium – for pets up to approximately 12 kg / 27 lbs, with a safe load capacity of about 0.8 liters of ashes
* Large – for people or pets up to approximately 30 kg / 66 lbs, with a safe load capacity of about 1.7 liters of ashes
* XL (80 cm) – designed for a complete water farewell, with capacity for the full amount of ashes. If you have more ashes than one boat can safely hold, you can divide them between several boats using a Multi-Boat Set.
5. Can I use a Paper Boat Urn for human ashes?
Yes. Paper Boat Urns can be used for human cremated remains as well as pet ashes. If you would like to place all of the cremated remains in one boat, we recommend the XL (80 cm) boat, which is designed for a complete water farewell. If you would prefer to divide the ashes between several boats and create a ceremonial flotilla, a Multi-Boat Set allows you to combine different boat sizes. Another option is to use a Large boat if you plan to scatter or keep approximately half of the cremated remains separately. Ultimately, how you wish to arrange the farewell is a personal choice.
6. Can I use a Paper Boat Urn for pet ashes?
Yes. Paper Boat Urns can be used for the cremated remains of dogs, cats and other pets. The Small, Medium and Large boats offer different capacities, making it possible to choose a boat based on the amount of ashes and the size of your pet before cremation. You can also divide the ashes between several boats if you would like to create a ceremonial flotilla.If you are unsure which size would be suitable for your pet’s ashes, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
7. How long does the boat float before it sinks?
The boat typically floats for 5–15 minutes before it sinks. The exact time depends on the water, weather and the load inside the boat. If you would like to become familiar with how the boat behaves before the ceremony, test boats are available upon request. A test boat is a smaller, unfinished version with the same functional design.
8. How long does a Paper Boat Urn take to decompose in water?
The paper quickly becomes saturated with water and gradually loses its strength as the boat remains in the water. The paper continues to break down and biodegrade naturally over the following months.The exact time depends on the conditions where the boat is placed, including water temperature, flow and microbial activity. In natural freshwater conditions, complete decomposition of the paper can take several months.
9. Can I use the boat on a lake, river or sea?
Paper Boat Urns can be used on lakes, rivers and the sea, provided the location and conditions are suitable for a safe ceremony. Each type of water behaves differently. On a calm lake, the boat may remain relatively close to where it is placed on the water, while a river’s current can naturally carry it further away. When launching on a river, it is important to consider the currents near the shore so that the boat is not carried back towards the shoreline. Wind and waves can also affect the boat’s movement, particularly on exposed waters. Choose a location and conditions where you can carry out the ceremony safely, and always follow any local regulations concerning the release of objects or ashes into natural water.
10. Is the Paper Boat Urn biodegradable?
Yes. Our paper boats are made from biodegradable materials, including plain off-white paper and natural-color hemp twine. Only a very small amount of plant-based adhesive is used to hold and finish the paper structure. The boat contains no plastic components and is designed to naturally break down in water over time.
11. Can I test the boat before the actual ceremony?
The boat is designed for a single use and cannot be reused for testing before the ceremony. If you have any questions or concerns about how the boat will behave during your ceremony, we are always happy to help. You can also order one additional boat to try it out on the water before the actual ceremony.
12. Is it legal to release a biodegradable boat or scatter ashes in natural water?
Rules concerning the scattering of ashes and the release of objects into natural waters vary between countries and locations. Before planning a water farewell, please check the local regulations that apply to your chosen location. A biodegradable boat does not automatically make the release legal. You are responsible for ensuring that the ceremony complies with local requirements, including any rules concerning ash scattering, waterways, protected areas or access to the water. If you are unsure about the regulations in your area, we recommend contacting the relevant local authority before the ceremony.
13. How should I use the Paper Boat Urn?
The Paper Boat Urn is simple to prepare and use. Place the cremated remains inside the boat, add any small personal farewell you wish, and gently set the boat on the water.Detailed, illustrated instructions are available in our User Guide and are also included with the boat when it is shipped.
14. How are Paper Boat Urns packaged for shipping?
We package each Paper Boat Urn carefully to protect its delicate paper structure during shipping. The boat is wrapped in paper and placed in a sturdy cardboard shipping box designed to keep it secure during transport. We use recyclable, paper-based packaging wherever practicable and aim to minimise unnecessary packaging materials while ensuring that the boat arrives safely and undamaged. Our packaging choices take into account applicable EU packaging and packaging waste requirements, including the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR). Packaging materials may vary slightly depending on the destination and shipping requirements.
15. Do you ship Paper Boat Urns internationally?
Yes. We ship Paper Boat Urns internationally and have already delivered boats to customers in around ten countries across four continents. Shipping options and costs depend on the destination, and delivery times may vary between countries. International orders may also be subject to local customs requirements, taxes or other import charges. If you are unsure whether we can ship to your country, please contact us before ordering and we will be happy to check.
16. How long does delivery usually take?
We use standard shipping services for our orders, and delivery typically takes 4–10 days, depending on the destination. If you need your Paper Boat Urn to arrive sooner, we can also offer an expedited shipping option for an additional fee, subject to availability. If you have a specific date in mind for the ceremony, please contact us before ordering so we can help you choose the most suitable shipping option.
17. How do I place the ashes in the Paper Boat Urn?
The crematorium cannot place the cremated remains directly into the Paper Boat Urn. The boat is designed for the ceremony and is not suitable for transport when filled, and it does not have a lid. When arranging the cremation, please ask the crematorium to return the ashes in a suitable bag. You can then transfer the ashes into the boat yourself when you are ready for the ceremony. Detailed, illustrated instructions for filling and preparing the boat are included in our User Guide and are also provided with the boat.
18. Our Packaging – how do you pack the boats for delivery?
We use recyclable paper-based packaging for our shipments. Our handmade paper boat urns are wrapped in paper rather than plastic, and we use recyclable cardboard shipping boxes.
We continuously aim to minimise the amount of packaging material used while ensuring that your order arrives safely. Our packaging practices are designed with the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) in mind.