Columbariums
About Columbariums
Columbarium are an above-ground structure with separate compartments, which are known as niches. In one of the niches, cremation urn is placed.
The niches can be made personalized, by adding inscription, or by adding small portraits, memento, or any other personal item.
So if you have chosen to cremate your loved ones instead of burying them, then storing the ashes in an urn and placing them in a cupboard is not the only choice.
You can also opt for a columbarium, which is a great way to show case the urn.
Columbariums are most placed in cemeteries but in more unorthodox places, they can also be placed in churches, backyards, and other burial sites.
As they do not take up place, they are convenient in terms of setup. Columbarium takes lesser place, and you can always order a Columbarium with more niches and bigger, for sharing between community or family.
Columbarium are cost efficient. When compared to private plots or mausoleums, Columbarium only a fraction of their cost.
As cremating is deemed as more sustainable option with compared to burial, thus making Columbarium a environment friendly option.
Our Columbariums are made with finest quality of material and are designed to withstand harsh weather.
This will keep you at ease that the urn of your loved one is protected and safe. They are available in variety of designs and colors.
They can be personalized, pictures, messages, memoir can be added to it. This will make it a memorial tribute to your departed loved one.
You can choose Columbarium made of granite or of concrete.
The niches can be covered with either of the options
(i) granite
(ii) glass
(iii) bronze
The personalized messages can be etched on either of niche coverings.
The glass covering is usually preferred as it allows the urn to be displayed.
FAQs About Columbarium
A columbarium is a public or private structure that houses cremated remains instead of caskets. It is composed of small niches that hold a single urn. Niches are like real estate—their cost is often based on their location. Prime locations are at eye level where a person’s name can be easily seen. Niches located up high are less expensive. The face of the niche can be personalized the same way as a headstone—with inscriptions as well as with flower vases.
As cremation grows in popularity, so do the options for what to do with cremated remains. Ashes can be buried, scattered, turned into a tree, and even sent into space. However, for those that want a more traditional option, the placement of ashes in a columbarium is an excellent choice. This article will outline what you need to know about columbariums.
A columbarium is a structure used to store and often display urns containing cremated remains. The structure is typically a wall, room, or building that can be indoors or outdoors.
A columbarium often has designated areas called niches. A niche holds the urns and has features that help remember and memorialize a loved one. They can include an inscription or small pictures of the deceased and small personal items or mementos.
The name “columbarium” means “dovecote” in Latin, coming from the Latin word “columba” (dove) and the suffix “arium” (place for). It resembles structures used to house pigeons and doves (e.g., a dovecote).
Columbariums have been around for thousands of years. The idea originated during the early Roman empire when cremation was commonplace. These burial spaces were an alternative to traditional house burials and were typically used for lower and middle-class Roman citizens. The structures were ordinarily made of brick walls with niches for urns and built around an open court. The use of columbariums was discontinued during the reign of Roman emperor Hadrian. They were replaced by burials and did not return to common use until the 20th Century.
Columbariums are usually located in cemeteries, but they can also be found in churches, crypts, outdoor monuments, crematorium sites, and more. They can be structures that stand alone or are part of other burial monuments, such as within a mausoleum.
When choosing a columbarium, the main things to consider are the type, style, and location.
A columbarium typically features niches, or shallow recesses, that can contain cremation urns.
Types of niches include:
- Single niches with one urn.
- Double niches with two urns.
- Family niches with space for four or more urns.
Niches typically have three variations: granite-front, bronze-front, and glass-front. For granite-front and bronze-front types, the niche is sealed. The bronze front is similar to a headstone and can be customized to include information about the deceased.
A granite-front niche is more challenging to customize and add an inscription. However, a bronze plaque can be added for that purpose. Glass-fronted niches allow the urns to be displayed visibly alongside inscriptions, small pictures, or tokens related to the deceased.
In terms of the columbarium itself, it is often made of brick or concrete. The style/design of a columbarium depends on the cemetery. For example, customization options at a public/shared columbarium are limited, in most cases, to the niche selected.
Private or custom columbariums are possible in some cases and can provide a family with more say in the design. However, the cost to have one designed would be significant.