About Our Studio
Handcrafted with heart, built to honor
Our family owned and operated studio, Mont Arbor, is a boutique woodworking and ceramic workshop based in the Washington, D.C. metro area. We are proud to specialize in custom solid wood and ceramic memorial urns for people and pets.
Mont Arbor is the only studio in the country offering custom 3D relief carvings directly onto the sides of urns. While others offer shallow, pixelated, and grainy laser engraved etchings burnt into the sides of mass-produced urns, we offer true 3D carvings of your loved one that endure as a quality monument.
About our materials
Each urn is created from durable, sustainably sourced materials chosen for their structural permanence and organic beauty. Our core studio palette features aromatic and resilient Cedar, solid and durable hardwoods, high-fired fine porcelain clay, and solid precision-milled brass. Because we believe a memorial should reflect a deeply personal narrative, we also offer custom commissions crafted from rare exotic hardwoods or milled directly from a meaningful tree harvested from your own property. We exclusively partner with certified suppliers dedicated to sustainable forestry, ensuring that our reliance on natural wood and earth-born clay honors the planet as thoughtfully as it honors your legacy.
Aromatic and resilient hardwoods
Prized for its warm grain, natural durability, and rich aromatic scent, our cedar provides a timeless, organic foundation. We also use beautiful and timeless hardwoods with subtle structural lines that allow for deep 3D relief carvings to showcase dramatic contrast and soft, natural luster.
Beautiful porcelain clay
Formulated for high-density strength and a flawless, satiny finish, our porcelain clay offers an elegant alternative to natural timber. Hand shaped before high-firing, porcelain creates a clean, architectural canvas that captures microscopic relief detail with museum-quality permanent elegance.
Polished brass threaded lids
Engineered for lasting weight and striking visual contrast, our heavy solid brass elements add an unmistakable warmth to every memorial. Machine-milled to exact tolerances and hand-polished, brass accents form seamless flush inlays, structural borders, and custom-engraved lid inserts designed to endure for generations
Our woodworking methods
In our family studio, we have learned to combine artistry and science. We use new programs that render photos as vector images to translate a memory into an artistic concept that we can then use to design a memorial. The design is then carefully hand carved from wood, first on a lathe or by assembling a box urn, and then meticulously sculpted line by line with the help of technological guides based on that vector image. Our process ensures that each urn is carefully handled to maintain its natural beauty, color, and shape, without exposing the wood keepsake to harsh chemicals or lifeless machine processes. From simple carvings to memorial tributes, our preservation process honors the emotional meaning behind each piece while giving it a new life as timeless décor.
Wood selection
Every pet urn begins with carefully selected hardwood. We personally inspect each board for: beautiful, consistent grain patterns; rich natural coloring; structural integrity (no knots or defects); proper moisture content for stability; sustainable sourcing certification.
Wood Turning
For our traditional urns, we use time-honored lathe techniques passed down through generations of woodworkers. Cedar box urns are constructed with precision joinery. Every piece is shaped, sanded, and finished by hand.
Portrait Carving
Using your photographs, we create detailed relief carvings and hand-finish for organic detail. The result captures your pet's unique features such as the curve of their ears, the expression in their eyes, the personality that made them irreplaceable.
Hand-Applied Finishes
We finish every urn with multiple coats of natural oil, hand-rubbed to bring out the wood's character. This creates a durable, touchable surface with a warm, natural sheen that deepens beautifully over time.
Our origin story
Founding our Studio
Our family studio began with the shared desire to honor our grandfather’s family pet, Gretchen. We were disappointed with the urns we saw, and decided to combine our artistic passions to create a more fitting resting place. We ended up reintroducing classic relief sculpture to urns and are now helping others connect the same level of memorial art to personalized of stories their loved ones.
Now, from our studio in Fairfax (a few minutes away from Tyson’s Corner) we have turned our family connection into a way to preserve yours. At Mont Arbor, we help families in Washington D.C. keep moments alive. With care, artistry, and a little science, we turn your memories into keepsakes that feel as special years from now as they did the day you made them.
Our family business
Eric L.
Father & Co-ownerOur dad is the chief carpenter and does most of the hand carving and detail work for your urns. He got his Masters at Arizona State University and had a long career as a teacher before he began following his woodworking passion full time.
He has two dogs and alongside woodworking, he enjoys hikes, camping, skiing, rafting, and touring the nation’s great national parks.
Nathan helps his dad with the technological aspects of the business and creates the initial carvings and shapes for your urns on a lathe or throw wheel. He helped grow many small businesses as a consultant before he started his own with his dad.
He and his wife have a cat and share the same love of the outdoors.
Son & Co-OwnerNathan L.
Serving locally and nationwide
Our family business is proud to serve the D.C. metro area for custom sculpture and urn creation. We are happy to provide free local drop off in Washington D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia to ensure your custom urn reaches you in perfect condition. For our valued clients nationwide, we provide secure shipping options and insured delivery. If you are ready to create a lasting and beautiful work of art for your pet you can place an order or contact us to start the conversation about your custom project.
Frequently asked questions
-
Most custom urns are completed within 3-4 weeks from design approval. This includes time for handcrafting, carving, finishing, and curing. Rush orders may be available for an additional fee if you need your memorial urn sooner. After completion, shipping takes 3-5 business days via our secure carrier with tracking included.
-
Our urn styles hold between 80—220 cubic inches, which accommodates people and pets up to 250 lbs. The general rule is 1 cubic inch of capacity per pound of body weight. If you need to accommodate sizing above 250 lbs or need a smaller urn, contact us for custom sizing options.
-
We can work with most photographs, though clear, well-lit photos with good facial detail produce the best portrait carvings. Side profiles and three-quarter angles often carve beautifully. We'll work with you to select the ideal image if your photos have any issues.
-
All our urns feature secure lids. The opening is large enough to easily transfer ashes from the temporary container provided by your hospital, funeral home, veterinarian, or crematorium. Some may prefer to have their funeral home or vet handle this step during pickup. Feel free to contact us if you have more questions.
-
Yes, we ship handcrafted pet memorial urns and urns for people throughout the United States. Each urn is carefully packaged with protective materials to ensure it arrives in perfect condition. International shipping is available upon request.
-
Our pet urn prices include: custom portrait carving based on your photos, personalized text engraving (pet's name, dates, short message), premium wood construction, hand-applied finish, secure lid, design consultation and approval, nationwide shipping, and satisfaction guarantee. No hidden fees.
-
You are welcome to review our gallery and various business profiles to see completed orders and testimonials. Although we cannot complete design work for you before an order is placed, we understand that some designs can be unique and are happy to discuss feasibility on the phone before an order is placed.
-
Wooden urns are finished with protective oil that brings out natural beauty while sealing the wood. Simply dust occasionally with a soft cloth. Avoid direct sunlight and extreme temperature changes. With basic care, your pet's memorial urn will remain beautiful for generations, becoming a cherished family keepsake.