What is an empty urn used during a memorial service called?

The term "symbolic urn" refers to an empty urn used during a memorial service to represent the presence or memory of the deceased rather than containing their cremated remains. This practice serves to honor the individual, providing a focal point during the service that symbolizes their life and legacy. The use of a symbolic urn can evoke feelings of remembrance and reflection among attendees, allowing them to pay tribute while fostering a shared experience of grief and celebration of life.

While the other options may imply certain functions or decorations that urns can have, they do not specifically convey the intended purpose of representing a person's memory in a memorial setting. The designations of decorative, honorary, or ceremonial urns may include actual physical attributes or roles, but the emphasis on symbolism in this context is what sets "symbolic urn" apart as the most accurate choice.