What Is a Columbarium?
A columbarium (plural: columbaria) is a vault or wall with niches designed to hold cremated remains contained in urns or other vessels. The term derives from a Latin word meaning “dovecote” – the dove being the symbol of divine love. They can be either freestanding or part of mausoleum, section of a church, or another building. The columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery is dedicated to those who have honorably served their country through military service.
Choosing a columbarium
As cremation grows in popularity, choosing a columbarium has become an important issue. Because we are a much more mobile population, keeping a cremation (cinerary) urn at home may not be practical. A permanent location removes fears of accidentally spilling the ashes, and allows other to visit and pay respects. When selecting a location, there are some things to keep in mind.
- Is the location convenient? You want to be able to visit it whenever you wish.
- What does it cost? Does the site fit your budget?
- Who maintains the facility? Ask the administrators for information regarding how the columbarium is cared for and if there are any ongoing fees for maintenance.
- Can flowers, and other memorials, be left at the site?
- Are there restrictions regarding the size of the memorial plaque?
If you receive satisfactory answers to your questions, begin the purchasing process.
Another columbarium option
There is a growing trend of people building their own columbaria. While at first thought, this may seem unusual, it is no different from having a family burial site. Plans are available for constructing one, and include advice regarding materials, building methods, and design options. If this is of interest, contact your local municipality for any permits that may be needed, zoning requirements to meet, and restrictions that may exist.
Choosing cremation
People choose cremation for a number of reasons but in the present age, the choice is based on environmental grounds. Cremation is considered more ecologically sound, and places less stress on the environment. There are no coffins involved, embalming fluids are not used, and the land is not disturbed. While some entertain the romantic notion of having their ashes scattered, many families choose to keep the remains, which has made columbaria construction a growth industry.
There are many reasons to choose a columbarium as a final resting place for a loved. Finding a site is an important process that deserves to be approached with proper dignity and respect.