I'm heartbroken after losing my dog and I want to create a beautiful urn for her. Since she's going to be buried in the woods she loved, I want to use a finish that won't be harmful to the environment. I usually go for boiled linseed oil, but I'm concerned about the heavy metals in it. I just want to make sure her urn is safe and pretty. Any suggestions?
4 Answers
I'm really sorry to hear about your pup. A great option for a safe finish would be a couple of coats of shellac. It's non-toxic and will make her urn look beautiful without harming the forest when she returns to it.
You might want to reconsider the boiled linseed oil; it’s actually not harmful as it doesn't contain heavy metals. Just be cautious about how you use it!
Usually, I would suggest shellac as a non-harmful finish too, but it might slow down the decomposition process. So, you might opt for no finish on the wood, especially if you choose wood that naturally resists rot. I've had good luck with hard maple, hickory, and rainbow poplar without any finish applied.
I think using Danish oil or a food-grade cutting board oil could work well for you. They’re both safe options and should provide a nice finish without any harmful effects on nature.
That’s similar to what I was considering too! I was thinking of using mineral oil and maybe some beeswax. Thanks for the input!