What is Columbarium?
A crematorium is a structure with built-in niches for storing cremation urns. This final resting place can be a wall, a room or a freestanding building. Usually made of granite or marble, marble columns can be part of a cemetery, temple, or church.
When several structures are located together, they are called columbaria.
What is Niche columbarium?
Also known as a burial or cremation niche, a water burial niche is a shelf or compartment within a structure where alternating sets of remains are stored. A water tank may have recesses on both sides for easy access.
Each niche will usually have a signboard that serves as an identification sign. This sheet can be placed below, above or completely above the dog crate to enclose it. Where panels are not used, the structure will be marked with a number for each row and column.
Many of the gallery\’s niches also have space to display flowers or personal mementos. There are even more options for those who want to bury the ashes of couples or families together.
History of Columbarium
Columbarium was first observed on the roofs of ancient Rome, modeled after a birdhouse. This explains the origin of the Latin term columba which means dovecote or dovecote. For human remains, the Romans built niches underground to store decorated vases.
The use of arenas later developed in ancient Asia in Buddhist beliefs. These structures were built to resemble temples and ornate resting places.
How does a columbarium work?
A mortuary is a popular and affordable way to store remains. After a body is cremated, the ashes are placed in an urn, which is then “inserted” or fixed in a niche. This is done by cemetery staff and usually happens during an ashes ceremony.
Columbarium Niche Size
A single Columbarium niche has a standard size of 9 cubic inches. This is considered the smallest space needed to hold a wine decanter.
Note that niche designs and sizes vary from location to location. Be sure to check exact measurements with the cemetery before purchasing an urn.
Pros and cons of Columbarium Pillars
There are many reasons why Columbarium burial might be a good choice. While this approach is more common in some countries, cremation rates are increasing with appropriate use. Here are the main advantages and disadvantages of a columbarium:
Pros of Columbarium Niches:
>Provides a space for loved ones to visit
>Quicker process compared to burial and can provide the grieving with closure or comfort
>Indoor or covered columbariums allows visitation in any weather condition
>Cheaper than the burial of ashes or a body (usually ⅓ of the price)
>Ease and costeffectiveness of transporting ashes compared to a corpse
>Able to inurn couples or families together
>Acceptable under Catholic doctrine
>Maintenance of columbaria is cheaper than burial grounds
>More eco friendly compared to traditional burial. It uses fewer resources, and no synthetic materials or embalming fluid are dissolved into the soil
>Easier to delay inurnment compared to a burial if families need to travel for the service
>Some columbariums allow niches to be leased (e.g. on a 5 to 10 year basis). This allows greater flexibility if the family prefer to change location over time.
Cons of Columbarium Niches
>Cremation is not condoned in some religions
>More expensive than scattering remains or keeping them at home
>Burial is viewed as more acceptable by some
>Can lead to family disagreements on approach
>No large headstone to memorialize the deceased. A small plaque or identifier is used for each niche
>The cremation process results in large carbon emissions, although other methods can reduce this
Where Are Columbariums Located? Churches or crematoriums are located in different places. This may include:
> Cemetery
> Being part of the crematorium
> In a columbarium garden
> Codes inside or inside the church
> Outdoor landmarks
Types Of Columbarium Niches
In addition to choosing between an indoor, outdoor, walled or covered aquarium, you can also choose the appropriate style you want. Many families appreciate this customization. The most popular choices include:
1. Granite or marble front niches
Contained in indoor and outdoor stone pillars, these niches are the most popular style. The facade of each marble or granite niche is sealed by a bronze or metal plaque engraved with the name or epitaph.
2. Front glass recesses
This type of niche is only arranged in interior miniatures to resist the weather. As the name suggests, the glass recesses allow the items inside to be seen. This allows the family to place items such as photos, mementos and flowers next to the vase.
3. Memorial seat niche
A less common option for storing cremated remains is in a memorial bench. These granite benches can hold up to two vases along with bronze plaques. Considering the memorial\’s space and size requirements, a niche is more expensive than traditional small columns.
What is the difference between a mausoleum and a small park?
These terms are often confused with each other because these aboveground structures are similar in appearance. While mausoleums and column churches are the final resting places of the deceased, they differ in the type of remains kept.
A mausoleum is a mausoleum or cellar used to house buried bodies.
Columbarium is a structure with niches for storing the cremated ashes of the deceased.
Note that some memorials will combine a small church with a larger mausoleum. This allows both intact and cremated human remains to be placed in the same structure – and creates more confusion!
Alternatives to a Columbarium
While choosing to use a Columbarium has its advantages, it may not be right for your situation. There is a wide range of options to suit every budget when it comes to ash. Here are some alternatives to proper burial:
– Bury the ashes underground in a cemetery or memorial garden. This can be a more traditional approach using boulders or markers
– Keep the ashes at home or bury them at home
– Scatter ashes at sea or in public spaces such as parks (permit or approval may be required)
– Share leftovers between loved ones to keep
– Use the ashes to create mementos like jewelry, artwork, or stuffed toys
– Grow ash using biourn to become a tree.
What is a Columbarium Cremation?
This is the process of bringing the remains to a permanent resting place. An urn is usually preserved in a small niche after cremation.
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