DESIGN
The Uurna collection was born out of designer Saara Renvall’s need to explore the aesthetics of the last object one owns.
“Designing an urn became personally relevant to me when I tried to find one for my father—something dignified, timeless, and refined in its design. I searched for a domestic, solid-wood option that would feel aesthetically right, but after a long search we settled on a simple model made in Estonia.
The process sparked in me a strong desire to create an urn where clear form meets functionality. I wanted to design something not only beautiful and visually clear, but also technically clever—free from symbols tied to gender or belief. I didn’t want the urn to remind me of any everyday object. It needed its own, distinct identity.
Many cremation urns seemed unfinished in terms of function. Lids were often fastened with visible screws or glued shut at the crematorium. My goal was to solve the locking mechanism in a natural and elegant way, without unnecessary metal parts or chemicals.
I worked on the Uurna project alongside other work for more than ten years. Through experiments, technical trials, and many restarts, I eventually arrived at the current models. Their essence lies in the topography of the wood grain, which can be felt especially on the colored surfaces. For me, the grain represents time bound within the material. Emphasizing it in Uurna conveys the years of growth and the life lived.
The finishing process I use allows for stronger, more intense colors than usual, as the pigments absorb more deeply into the sandblasted and brushed wood. The vivid hues and the tactile quality of the material bring warmth and humanity to Uurna.
Death always means loss, often accompanied by deep sorrow. Yet I believe the objects connected to death should also celebrate life lived—that they deserve a strong identity. I have truly enjoyed this process of more than a decade, which has given me space to reflect on the idea that this object is our last.”
Photo by Sakari Röyskö
Helsinki-based designer Saara Renvall (MA) works broadly across the fields of design, art, and craft. In addition to traditional design, she creates experimental projects that engage with contemporary themes and phenomena. Her approach is intuitive and rooted in craftsmanship; she does not limit herself to any one material or method, but values the freedom to express herself through design and art in diverse ways. At the heart of her work is always a clear initial idea, which the chosen material and technique then follow.
Alongside her own art and design projects, Renvall curates and teaches design. She spends part of the year in the countryside, where she finds inspiration in her garden and in transforming an old barn into a fully functional studio.
Discover Saara’s work on Instagram.