This may seem like a strange statement, but some people consider funeral urns to be works of art and not just a container to store a loved ones cremains.  And why not?  They come in different styles, are made from many different types of material, and can be decorated with scenes depicting events or hobbies that are related to the life of the deceased.  Funeral urns are made of bronze, brass, wood, ceramic, glass, and marble.  The exterior can be decorated in many ways using paint, cloisonne, or patterns stamped in metal or etched in glass.  When empty these beautifully crafted containers look just like any other attractive vase or object d’art.  If the owner keeps quiet about its origins, no one will ever realize the lovely item sitting on the mantel is in reality a funeral urn.