Flint business fills gap with same-day urns, support for grieving families

FLINT, Mich. — When Jaquetta Moore opened URN’D Wings in October, she set out to fill a gap Flint families often face during loss — finding a cremation urn without waiting days for it to arrive.

The Miller Road storefront offers cremation urns, jewelry, memorial keepsakes and custom engraving, available for same-day purchase.

The idea for the business came from both her professional background and a personal experience with loss.

“I always wanted to open a business,” Moore said. “I’m a business teacher, and I sort of felt guilty not having that experience of having a business while teaching.”

The concept took shape after a conversation with a funeral home contact and a memory from her own family.

“When my ex-husband passed, his family had him cremated,” she said. “My son received the urn, the ashes, and I had to do the urn.”

The experience revealed a gap in the local market, where families often have to order urns online and wait during an already difficult time.

Now, Moore’s shop provides a range of options to meet different needs and budgets, while also giving away two free urns each month to support families facing financial hardship.

She expressed that one of the most meaningful parts of opening the store has been seeing how people respond to the space itself.

“I had a gentleman in last week,” she said. “He said, ‘I thought I was gonna come in here and see just a couple urns on the shelf. I had no clue it would look this amazing.’”

In addition to urns, the business offers cremation jewelry, with assistance placing ashes inside upon request, as well as on-site custom engraving services.

Moore has also expanded into grief support items, including curated baskets.

“I always put a journal in the baskets,” she said. “I think reflecting, writing, it helps with the grief.”

The baskets may also include candles, tissues and messages of comfort, creating what Moore described as a one-stop shop for families navigating loss.

Launching the business came with challenges, particularly when it came to funding. She relied on personal savings and credit cards to open the store after facing barriers securing traditional financing.

Her persistence carried her through the early stages of opening.

“You have to step out on faith,” Moore said. “You never know what you can do until you try it.”

As the business continues to grow through word-of-mouth and partnerships with local funeral homes, Moore’s goal is centered in serving the community.

“I just want people to know that we’re here,” she said. “You don’t have to go online.”

URN’D Wings is located at G-3490 Miller Rd., Unit 9. To learn more about the store, visit urndwings.com.