Columbariums, What Are They?

Columbarium's have become an increasingly popular choice for families looking for a way to commemorate their loved ones' lives. Columbariums have been around for quite a while now, and they have been considered as a suitable alternative to traditional burial and cremation practices. In this article, we'll be discussing what exactly columbarium are, why you would choose one and other important information regarding them.

Understanding Columbarium's

Columbarium's are essentially a structure designed to store cremation urns for an extended period of time. A columbarium contains many different “niches”, which is the term used to describe the structures in which the urn is held. These niches can vary in size and so it is important to make sure that whatever urn you are putting in the columbarium will be able to fit within the size of the niche.

Cremation ashes that are meant to be placed in a columbarium will normally be placed inside a plastic cremation box which will usually fit the dimensions of the columbarium. It is important to talk to your funeral director or crematorium to ensure that the box you're getting will be suitable for a columbarium. It is also important to double check the dimensions of your cremation urn if you wish to choose a more personalised urn for your loved one, as not all cremation urns out there will be able to fit inside a columbarium’s niche.

Why Choose a Columbarium?

There can be many different reasons why you would want to choose a columbarium instead of a burial or cremation related practices.

1. Affordability:

Columbarium placements can be one of the most affordable ways to memorialise your loved one for years to come. If your family is finding the cost of a traditional burial or expensive cremation urn too difficult, a columbarium may be the best option.

2. Accessibility:

A columbarium is a great way to keep your loved one at a space where anyone can visit anytime (within the columbarium's respective business hours).

3. Simplicity:

A columbarium can also offer the unique opportunity of a simpler way to memorialise your loved one. They can be almost an all inclusive option after a cremation and can often come as part of a packaged deal with the crematoriums. This leaves a lot of the hassle of planning a funeral out of your hands and gives you and your family more time to sort out other affairs.

Columbarium Facts

Columbarium niches come with plaques or an engraving, usually depicting the name of the deceased, the date and sometimes even an epitaph or a design. This may vary depending on the proprietor of the columbarium, and the sizing of the niche itself. Columbarium's are also normally found outside in Australia, and will therefore usually require a cremation urn that will be able to withstand the elements. Columbarium's are also generally enclosed, and so the cremation urn that is put inside is not normally visible from the outside. This doesn't mean you shouldn't purchase an urn if you are intending to use a columbarium, as the niches can still usually be opened to reveal the urn. The cremation urn inside is also what is holding the ashes, so it is important to give your loved one a suitable home even if it won't be plainly visible. However, this still comes down to personal preference, and if the standard plastic cremation container is suitable then that is completely fine.

Using a columbarium for your loved one can have many different advantages. Columbariums have been used since as early as ancient Rome, which is in fact where the term originated. As Australia's largest urn store, Eternal Urns has an extensive range of the best quality urns available, so if you want a personalised urn to put in a columbarium then check out our range today.