Custom sculpture & urns in Washington D.C.

Local drop-off available

Custom woodworking in the DMV

Close-up of a custom pet urn with a sculpture with intricate carved patterns, containing a textured, swirling beige sculpture.

Six wooden blocks with different wood grain patterns placed on a gray surface.

Our family doesn’t have the traditional story of long held artisan secrets passed down among the generations. We developed a shared passion for wood working randomly, semi-simultaneously, and late enough in life that it became a source of reconnection. The process began in Great Falls National Park in Southern Maryland. One of our brothers camped with hobbiests who showed him woodworking. As the hobby traded hands among family members and eventually grew to almost an addiction, projects evolved into more intricate forms of the art. 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.

Design an Urn

Custom urns for pets

From your photos to your front door

1. Submit photo(s)

We can sculpt a replica of your photos or use them as inspiration to create a unique relief of the subject.

2. We sculpt your urn

We carve and hollow earn urn by hand on a lathe and cut your sculpture from solid wood adding it directly into the side.

Studio Photo of a Custom Dog Urn, Solid Wood

3. Receive your heirloom

We ship nationwide and offer local delivery to the Washington D.C. metro area.

Commission an Urn

You can learn more about our process by visiting our About Us page or Woodworking Blog. We also have more photos of Dog Urns in our Gallery.

Choosing the right pet urn:

Experts recommend urn sizing be roughly equal to body weight prior to cremation. Each pound should equal one cubic inch of urn capacity. For example, a person who weighed 160 pounds will typically need an urn with a capacity of at least 160 cubic inches. When in doubt, please contact us for guidance on how to select your sizing.

(Deposit 50%) Multi-Colored Hardwood Urn for Pets

$850.00

50% Initial Deposit - $850, $1,700 total price

Up to 150 cubic inches.

Commission a multi-colored hardwood urn with a relief sculpture carved into the side based on your pet photos. We make each urn by hand on a lathe and carefully add an intricate 3D sculpture carving of your loved one based on the photos your provide. The result is a timeless 3D memorial worthy of display. Each urn has a bronze threaded lid to maintain functionality through changes to heat or moisture.

Wood options:

(Ash, maple, walnut, padauk, ebony, purpleheart, & mahogany)

Engraved lettering options:

Lid interior or exterior
Seal around photo carving

This urn follows the classic European style and is designed to last for generations.

(Deposit 50%) Solid Cedar Memorial Urn for Pets

$575.00

50% Initial Deposit - $575, $1,150 total price

Up to 150 cubic inches

Our signature custom pet memorial urn combines classic turned wood elegance with intricate portrait carving. Each urn is individually shaped on a lathe, then carefully carved with the likeness your provide with photos. The result is a timeless 3D memorial worthy of display. Each urn has a bronze threaded lid to maintain functionality through changes to heat or moisture.

Engraved lettering options:

Lid interior or exterior
Seal around photo carving

This most popular choice for pet parents who want classic urn elegance combined with detailed portrait work. The turned wood shape and hand-carved portrait create a timeless memorial piece worthy of display. It is the best balance of artistry and value.

Our wooden custom pets urns

Each of our custom wood urns begins with a piece of solid kiln-dried timber carefully chosen for quality and beauty. Because each tree is unique, each urn will also have its own unique grain pattern and subtle coloring. Rather than see these variations as defects, we highlight these natural differences as we sculpt and polish each piece. Our process ensures each urn is as unique as both the sustainably-sourced wood we created it from and the beloved person or pet it was made to honor.

Forest of trees, lumber for woodworking and sculpting

Wood selection

Every urn begins with carefully selected and sustainably-sourced hardwood. We personally inspect each log for beautiful grain patterns, coloring, structure, and humidity before we prepare it for wood turning.

Using bowl gouge on a lathe to turn a custom urn

Wood Turning

Your prepared timber is then carefully sculpted by hand on a lathe. This process turns the initial piece into the urn that will honor your loved one. This process can take anywhere from one to several days depending on the size, grain pattern, and any residual moisture.

A person is carving a detailed design into a wooden object using a small rotary tool, holding the wood steady with one hand and guiding the tool with the other.

Portrait Carving

Using your photographs, we create detailed relief carvings that will adorn the side of your urn. The result captures your loved one’s unique features such as the curve of their ears, the expression in their eyes, the personality that made them irreplaceable.

Putting the finishing touches on a wooden vessel

Hand-Applied Finishes

We finish every urn with multiple coats of natural oil or colored finishes that are hand-rubbed to bring out the wood's character. This creates a durable, smooth with a warm, natural sheen that deepens beautifully over time.

Premium wood options for pet urns

Two wooden containers, one smaller with a lid, and a taller one with a band of a different wood around its middle, on a white background.

Five different types of wood blocks stacked on a gray surface.

Choose the perfect wood species for your custom pet urn. Each offers unique grain patterns, colors, and characteristics. Cedar is available for box urns only; all woods available for traditional and sculptural styles:

Aromatic Cedar - Warm reddish-brown wood with beautiful natural aroma.
Red Oak - Warm, honey-toned wood with prominent grain patterns.
Black Walnut - Rich, dark chocolate brown wood with elegant grain.
Cherry - Warm reddish-brown wood that deepens with age.
Maple - Light, creamy wood with subtle grain.

Create a Custom Design

If you’d like us to create something outside of what we currently offer, we’d love to connect with you. Send us a brief message explaining your vision and we will connect on the best way to bring it to life.

Have something special in mind?

Serving locally and nationwide

A happy Bernese Mountain Dog standing on rocky desert terrain with a view of a cityscape and mountains in the background on a sunny day.

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.