The most common funerary symbol after the cross, the urn is a traditional symbol of death because of its ancient use for holding ashes. The urn is also a symbol for a house or dwelling. When the urn is draped, it means a “house of mourning.” The design mimics the funeral urn of the ancients.
Draped urn means sorrow, mourning. (See also: Drapery)
In many cultures, the urn is a symbol of death. It is believed by many religions that the body is turned into dust as the spirit floats away towards God. The draped urn emphasizes this symbolism as it denotes the death of a person. When the shroud drapery denotes a dearly departed soul to heaven in relation to the shroud dressed over the body, the drape symbolizes the separation between life and death and guards the sacred contents of the urn. When an urn rests on top of a column or tomb, it often is a representation of the mourning depiction. In early design from Neoclassicism, the urn depicts the mourner interacting with the urn. The urn in this depiction represents the loved one.
Used in the emblem of the Shriners.