What is a Columbarium?

• A. A structure with niches for cremated remains.
• B. A building approved for cremation.
• C. A place for interment rights.
• D. A cemetery office.

Answer: (A)

A columbarium is a structure designed to hold cremated remains in individual niches. Each niche is a small compartment where an urn or container can be placed and then sealed, often with a plaque to identify the deceased. Columbariums provide a dignified, space-efficient resting place for cremains and are commonly found in cemeteries or as part of mausoleum complexes. This is different from a crematorium, which is the facility where cremation occurs; it’s also different from areas that grant interment rights (the permission to bury or place remains in a specific site) or from an office used for cemetery administration. The defining feature is the wall or structure with multiple recessed compartments for cremated remains.