Cremated remains can be kept in a container called an urn , thrown into the air or water of a place that was special to the cremated person , or buried in the ground . Cremated remains can be kept in an urn , stored in a special memorial building ( columbarium ) , buried in the ground at many locations or sprinkled on a special field , mountain , or in the sea . In addition , there are several services in which the cremated remains will be scattered in a variety of ways and locations .