Columbarium: A Final Resting Place for Loved Ones
Definition of a Columbarium
A word that is derived from the Latin word “Columba” which means “a dove” is now used to define an architectural structure that is built specially to store funeral urns containing the ashes of the deceased. The term “Columbarium” is used to define the structure of walls and small vaults with recesses. The world’s first Columbarium is located in Rome. It was built by the Emperor Augustus, and can be found at Campus Martius. One of the most notable features of the Columbarium at this location was its honeycomb-like formation in the walls that had recesses meant to hold only a few urns, likely 5 for each recess. This remarkable structure was used by the upper and middle classes in Rome and at that time a phrase was coined which says “Rome was a city of doves and a house of fowls”. This only amplifies the fact that Columbariums were used by affluent people at that time. Usually private and found in rural or suburban areas, Columbariums today are built within a building or as a single building containing the ashes of the deceased. Some may contain a statue or inscription in memory of the dead to attract visitors and loved ones of the deceased. One example of a modern Columbarium is Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel at Catholic Mount Pleasant Cemetery. Built in 2004 and designed by the Australian architect John Meunier, it was to serve as a refuge place for loved ones to purchase the chapel’s interior niches which would contain the urns of the sellers when they pass away. This Columbarium, although not a renovation of an existing structure, is a good example of modern use of the term. Another good example of both medieval and modern use of a Columbarium is at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Founded in 1806 by John Carroll; America’s first bishop and archbishop, to support the growth of the Catholic faith, it was designed by a British Architect named Benjamin Henry Latrobe. The Basilica has since undergone massive renovation up to 2006 to restore the building to its original periods of construction. Information on the Columbarium can be found at the Basilica’s official website which claims that the Columbarium is one of the few available in the United States today and is located in the Crypt level of the Basilica. An intriguing statement about this complex Columbarium was made by Cardinal Keeler who said “That the choice for inurnment in the Basilica Columbarium is not a purchase, it is an act of stewardship”.
History and Significance of Columbariums
The Columbarium, as designed by ancient Romans, served as a grand place to store and keep an urn containing the ashes of the deceased. A nucleus of marble walls with recessed niches were the predecessors of modern-day Columbariums. Although, the etymology of the word Columbarium can be associated with a structure of a Dovecote. This etymology was thought of to be a metaphor in which Christians saw the Dovecote as a resting place for the soul (the Dove). This definition was assumed because of the understanding of the Columbarium’s use during the time of Early Christianity. The first-ever known use of a pre-Christian Columbarium was the underground system of burials known as Catacombs. This evolved when the first actual Columbarium building came into existence in the 2nd century AD by the architect, Demetrianus. This set the precedence for the building of massive Columbariums during the age of the Roman Empire. During this age, Columbarium walls had been constructed in Italy, Spain, North Africa, Gaul, and even as far as Asia. These walls were used not only by the Emperor or wealthy class but also by people of all classes who desired a permanent resting place for their urn. The Columbarium later came to be used by the Church as a form of charity to those who were less fortunate. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, churchyards and Cathedrals would bury the dead in Mass Graves. Often the reasons for this were due to war, plagues, and poverty. A common practice was to dig up bodies in churchyards to make room for more Tombs and Burials. This led to the displacement of bones often into bone houses or Ossuaries. It was in the 18th and 19th centuries where bones from these secondary graves were put into urns and then later stored in the walls of some Columbariums. This practice was used by the Church until this recent century in countries such as France and Italy. Often this form of secondary burial was also used as a way to make room for more burials. In the case of the San Francisco Columbarium, the Church had moved many bones from the nearby graveyards into the Forest Lawn Cemetery (where the Columbarium now stands) as recently as the 1940s.
Benefits of Choosing a Columbarium
In today’s fast-paced society, many families are spread out all over the country, if not all over the world. The location of the gravesite itself can make it difficult for family members to visit. Ease of visitation and maintenance for a columbarium niche is much greater than a traditional burial plot. Niche visitation can be done anytime, and the visit itself requires minimal effort. This is great for elderly relatives or those who may have disabilities that prevent them from easily moving about in traditional cemetery settings.
The cost of a niche is relatively inexpensive when compared with the overall cost of funeral and burial costs. Prices for niches vary between areas and availability. A general range, depending on the region and cemetery, would be $700-2000. This is a good option for those who are considering cremation but still on the fence about what should be done with the ashes. The family that chooses a cremation burial or inurnment in a niche will not incur any additional future costs. This means that once you have bought the niche, there are no required ongoing maintenance fees. This is something that makes it easier on the family in the long run.
Preservation of ashes in a niche at a columbarium is a great way to keep the memory of the deceased alive. Ashes are generally stored in a sealed urn and placed within a niche. Most niches can be personalized to reflect the person who is resting there. Photographs, flowers, flags, and other remembrances are commonly placed on the front of the niche. It is also not uncommon for the family to place small mementos inside the niche. The person’s name and vital dates are inscribed on a bronze, marble, or granite plaque. This provides future genealogical visitors with key information. The memorial inscription serves as a lasting record for the person who lived and as a vital record for those who seek to remember a loved one who has died. This form of memorial also helps fulfill the natural human desire to be remembered.
Preservation of Ashes in a Niche
Given that a niche holds only a small urn or container, the space around the niche can also be used to pen thoughts and messages to the deceased, customizing a small part of the area into a personal shrine which will serve as a place of closure upon visiting. To some people, it can be comforting to know exactly where a loved one’s ashes were laid to rest and to have a place to visit as a focus for memories and reflection. A plaque located at the niche will often have the name and details of the deceased inscribed on it, serving as a historical memorial for generations to come.
An important and often overlooked aspect of cremated remains is that they pose no health risk and are odorless. This negates the “nasty smell” often associated with ashes of a loved one, allowing family members to have a container of ashes at home while also having a permanent place in which to lay the ashes to rest.
After cremation, the final resting place of the deceased is a key concern for family and friends. The practicality and benefits of a niche for ashes in a columbarium offer an increasingly popular alternative to the more traditional interment in a cemetery. Columbaria are often located within beautiful garden settings where family and friends can come to reflect, bringing a feeling of peace and tranquility to what can sometimes be a difficult experience.
Cost-Effective Alternative to Traditional Burial
A traditional burial has always been associated with high cost. A wake, funeral service, casket, burial service, and necessary paperwork for a burial plot can cost anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. On top of that, a traditional burial far from home may become an inconvenience to family and loved ones wishing to pay their respects. A trip just to visit a grave site may cost time and money that some loved ones may not be able to afford or spare. The constant upkeep of a grave site may pose more of an inconvenience than anything else. Families may be required to pay for annual or monthly maintenance on a site, or they may be asked to keep up the grounds around the burial plot themselves. This could mean a significant amount of additional work for elderly family members who may not be physically able to perform grounds keeping. In other cases, family members may be required to take time off of work to travel to a family burial site to maintain the grounds. This situation is not at all out of the question for a soldier killed in action. A fallen soldier may leave behind a family living in one part of the country, while being buried with other fallen soldiers in a national cemetery located quite a distance away. In a worst-case scenario, poor upkeep of a grave site may result in the site being disturbed and the remains being moved. This situation would be both emotionally and financially devastating to the families of the loved ones who are moved. A columbarium provides a clean, simple, and compact alternative to a traditional burial. The act of storing the urn in a niche is much less costly and time-consuming than burying a casket. Maintenance and visitation of a niche is made far easier due to on-site staff and the enclosed structure of a columbarium, and the cost of a niche is much lower than that of a traditional burial plot. This will be an attractive option to a family looking for the best resting place for a deceased loved one at an affordable price.
Ease of Visitation and Maintenance
Families who choose to inter ashes of loved ones in a niche in a columbarium often find it easier to visit the niche in times of remembrance or special days. Visitation to a cemetery columbarium is generally easier and less stressful than that of a traditional grave. Especially for elderly family members, or those with young children, the climate-controlled comfort and close proximity of niches at an indoor columbarium is preferable to navigating vast cemeteries. Time constrained individuals, or those whose lives have taken them far from the place of burial, find comfort in the knowledge that the niche is there to visit if and when they are able. Regular maintenance and cleaning of a niche is usually simple to perform and can be a comforting ritual. A properly maintained niche in a well-kept columbarium is an enduring monument to a life now gone, and a place where future generations can come to learn about their heritage. Coming generations have more opportunity to visit a specific and known place of an ancestor, something that greatly enhances the connection to the past and the understanding of one’s place in the flow of human history. Cleaning and maintenance of a cemetery niche in a public columbarium usually involves only simple and infrequent visitation. Most indoor and outdoor columbarium niches require no maintenance by the purchaser, as the cemetery staff takes care of all landscaping and general niche maintenance. Some niche buyers may choose to plant a small perennial nearby or place a photograph, but such things are usually permissible only if done in such a way as to keep the general appearance of the columbarium pleasant and tasteful. This ease of niche maintenance is in great contrast to the perpetual care required of a grave, and adds to the attractiveness of a niche for the long-term memorialization of a loved one.
Design and Features of Columbariums
Columbariums are often constructed using particular types of stone (e.g., marble, granite, etc.) especially in the construction of columbarium walls. This will affect the overall appearance of the structure. Some columbaria are constructed from marble with a modern look and polished finish. Others may be built using standard concrete and be relatively unadorned. The means by which a columbarium is constructed will likely reflect upon the cemetery itself; a church with an aging congregation might build a columbarium out of practicality to serve current and future members while a large prestigious cemetery might build a large ornate columbarium from expensive materials to offer an additional revenue source.
Today’s columbariums come in an array of sizes and architectural designs. Some look like small buildings with numerous small niches lining the walls, while others may be built within a mausoleum or be included as part of a niche garden. They may vary greatly in size; some columbaria are very small and hold only a few dozen urns while some of the larger columbaria hold thousands of urns. At their essence, however, columbariums are places of internment and should offer a peaceful atmosphere and pleasant accommodations for visitors.
Architectural Styles and Materials
Columbariums come in many different shapes and sizes, and are made out of many different architectural styles and materials. The more traditional columbarium is clearly that of a house of worship, often in a medieval style and built out of stone or marble. The most commonly seen columbariums in the US are those that are built into the ground level of the church, along the walls of an outer hallway, or in a special room to the side of the sanctuary or chapel. These tend to be very simple in design, as they are only a few walls with a collection of niches, and will often use concrete or brick as their construction material. More modern columbariums will display a greater variety in the use of styles and material, and are often built as a decorative garden feature for a cemetery, or as a stand alone structure in a park. It is not uncommon for a new columbarium to take on either a post-modern style, or to attempt to recreate an ancient Roman style for cremation niche entombment. In other cases, the columbarium may simply be built to match the existing architecture in the area, such as when it is built onto the side of a mausoleum or multi-story parking structure. This is often referred to as a mixed-placement columbarium, and is more likely to be built from higher quality materials, as opposed to the typical ground level columbarium.
Niche Options and Customization
Overall, this information illustrates the various design choices available to those interested in building a columbarium, and the associated benefits and concerns of each choice. By understanding the implications of these choices, a developer can make an informed decision that will fulfill the needs of a given community, provide a lasting environment for the remains of loved ones, and prove to be a sound investment for the future.
Basically, Modular in his approach discussed the niche options available in Singapore and how they are suitable as a cost-effective and space-saving alternative to traditional burial. This discussion closely followed his description of the niche options, detailing the benefits and concerns of each option. Finally, he explored the potentially global nature of niche export and manufacturing in the context of a growing international niche market.
The niche itself is another element of design that must be considered. While the simplest niche design is a nook in a wall, many families and individuals will seek a more elaborate and substantial setting. Niche fronts can range from simple plaques to ornate engravings, and some facilities may allow for the decoration of the entire niche. In cases where the niche is a part of a larger facility, its proximity to more elaborate or garden settings should be considered. Finally, the size of the niche will greatly impact its cost and the number of niches that can be placed in a given area, and there are many options available for larger niche spaces designed to hold urns, caskets, or multiple remains.
One important issue that must be considered in the selection of an architectural style is whether or not the columbarium will be an indoor or outdoor facility. Outdoor columbariums tend to be more accessible to visitors and provide an environment for quiet reflection, however, they will require additional maintenance in terms of cleaning and will have greater security concerns. Indoor facilities provide a more weather-secure environment for the remains and are less maintenance-intensive, although they are more costly and do not provide the serene environment that many visitors will be seeking. Materials used in the construction of the facility can range from a variety of stones to metals and wood. Stones such as granite offer a good balance between aesthetics and cost; they are often all-weather, require low maintenance, and have a lower cost than marble or other ornate stones. Metals are a durable alternative, but may tarnish and corrode over time, and wood may require regular maintenance and is susceptible to damage from insects and decay.
Design choices, stylish and cost-effective. When designing a columbarium, one of the primary considerations will involve the selection of both architectural and design styles. Columbariums reflect a wide array of architectures and styles: they may be stand-alone structures, incorporated into a mausoleum, or a part of a larger mortuary or church. Designs may vary from traditional to contemporary and modern, and the choice of materials will greatly impact the overall aesthetics, design life, and most importantly the initial and lifecycle cost.
Amenities and Services Provided
Certain columbariums serve food on the anniversary of the death of a loved one or on holidays. Memorial services can also include food service for attendees. Memorial services may either be held in the chapel or at the niche site. Some columbariums provide flower purchasing and delivery to the niche. This service is especially helpful for family members who don’t live in the area and who want to ensure that there are frequent floral tributes to their loved ones. Special events to teach children about death and grieving are also provided by some columbariums. During that time, the children can also use a special area created to store their art projects done at the columbarium. An additional education program for adults may be provided on topics such as living with an incurable disease or how to plan for one’s death. These programs are often provided in conjunction with home hospice agencies or local hospitals.
To meet the needs of grieving family members, columbariums provide certain amenities and services not available with in-ground burial. They often have a small chapel for memorial services; some will have a casket sales room for one-stop shopping, and many have ongoing bereavement support groups. Though amenities and services vary from place to place, many provide the following.
Environmental Considerations
There are generally two issues regarding environmental considerations. The first is the impact of constructing a columbarium at a cemetery. Cemeteries are often one of the few in such urban areas where significant bird and plant life may occur. The construction of a new building can destroy habitats for birds and other animals, and can remove green space which has been used by the surrounding ecosystem. Building structures in such an environment also impact the local climate. The use of concrete and other non-permeable material will increase runoff, and decrease groundwater recharge. Increased runoff can cause local stream erosion and increased stream pollution. Of course, the building will increase the building’s carbon footprint, which negatively impacts the global environment. The second issue is the impact of constructing a public urn garden. Its construction could remove green space that the public uses for recreation or relaxation. The removal of green space has similar ecological impacts as those on cemeteries. The urn garden itself may be located in parks and other public areas. Co-location in such places is attractive as it allows people to visit their loved ones while enjoying activities in those areas. But removal of green space in a park has the same impacts as those on a cemetery.
Choosing the Right Columbarium
Pre-planning of a niche can be a sensitive issue and varies according to different malpractice by agents and corporations that offer pre-planning services. In some cases, there have been incidents where after payment, the company goes out of business or fails to deliver on its previous promises. In order to avoid such issues, one should only purchase a niche directly from the management of a columbarium. In cases where pre-planning from a third party is necessary, ensure that the payment is kept in escrow and there is confirmation on how the money is to be transferred to the management to secure the niche. High pressure sales tactics should raise a red flag for consumers considering pre-planning services from a third party and there is no need to rush as niches will always be available to purchase so long as there are still vacancies in the columbarium. An informed consumer is less likely to be taken advantage of.
If distance is not an issue, one can opt for a niche in the garden or at the walkways outside the TJC. Otherwise, there may be a need to consider the location of the niche in relation to other family members, particularly if the niche is to house the remains of more than one person. Ask the management if it is possible to choose a niche in a specific location, and if it is necessary to pay more for such selections. Consider how this will affect the type of niche or the duration of niche availability as there may be limited availability of niches in specific locations. This information will be useful when trying to choose between different columbaria.
Location and Accessibility
Once you have decided that a columbarium is the right choice for your loved one, the next step is determining which one would be best. Given that a columbarium is a place for long-term commemoration, it is important to choose the one that feels most suitable. If you have an idea of the area in which you would like your loved one’s final resting place to be, that will help to narrow down the columbaria from which you will choose. Considering how often you will visit is important as well. If you would like a location with frequent visits and easy access, often a church, a public or private community columbarium would be most suitable. If you have in mind a private, secluded area, there are many cemeteries with smaller columbaria available. It is also sensible to investigate the proximity of the provider to the actual site location in which you want your loved one to be remembered.
Reputation and Trustworthiness of Provider
Alternatively, neutral parties such as Funeral Directors can provide some indication of the provider’s repute. Recommendations from friends and relatives are a good indication of the level of trustworthiness. Keep in mind that a company may have a good reputation at a certain time, hence it is good to evaluate if the reputation has become inconsistent or changed over time. The reputation of the provider should be consistent with the contractual obligations pertaining to the niche as it is ultimately an agreement for the provider to upkeep an appropriate resting place for the deceased.
A provider’s reputation and levels of trustworthiness should be one of the key concerns for you when choosing a columbarium. Unfavourable practices, be it abandonment of the project or frequent changing ownership structure, can lead to inconveniences and complications. These problems include delays in completion, losses of niche deposits, or the failure to upkeep the environment to desirable standards. Hence, it is essential to visit and evaluate the reputation of the columbarium and the provider. This can be done by several methods – getting feedback from people who have booked niches, visiting the business’s registered address, and checking the bizfile at the Singapore Company Registrations. This will outline the business track record and any changes in ownership structure.
Pricing and Payment Options
Different payment options will appeal to different individuals or families. It may be possible to pay by credit card, but this is generally not advisable if it is to incur a debt that will be passed on to the next of kin. Some providers may also allow for an initial deposit and payments by installments. All of these options will assume that there will be a contract regarding the niche, so it is advisable for the purchaser to clarify the terms of refund or resale should the niche no longer be required in the future.
Look out for any hidden costs and in the case of a pre-purchase, make sure you understand all the terms and conditions if the contract is to be over a number of years before interment. In Japan and other Asian countries, it is common for more than one family member to make a contribution towards the purchase of a niche for their parents. If the family is considering this option, they should check that the terms of purchase allow further interments in the same niche.
For those who are considering a columbarium as a final resting place for a loved one, it is advisable to check the prices and payment options provided by the different columbariums. Pricing can vary significantly between providers. There may be additional costs apart from the niche itself, such as an inscription on the niche front, faith-specific gilding or an emblem, and a charge may also be made for the interment of the ashes. Local authorities or religious organizations may have set fees and regulations governing the prices that they can charge for their columbarium niche.
Additional Services and Support
The support and services provided by the columbarium should be taken into consideration when selecting the right columbarium. Although your loved one may not need these additional services now, as the years pass, he or she may require additional support. Those who are healthy and active now may eventually need help, up to and including a hospice program for the terminally ill, and supportive bereavement services for their family members. Look into what type of assistance is available in the community where the columbarium is located. Many people have diverse needs and prefer a mix of informal support from friends and family along with more formal support from counseling professionals. All these options should be explored. Then look into what services are available to those who use the columbarium. For example, if your loved one develops a medical condition, is there help available that will enable him or her to remain at the same place, or will it be necessary to relocate? Those who wish to “age in place” may need to move if a higher level of support or medical care is required. Services can be had within the place that the urn is stored. Over the years, circumstances may lead to the urn becoming a meaningful symbol of your loved one, and a place that you will visit more frequently as time passes. If this is the case, Proactive Respite and Continuing Care are services that you will want to explore, because they guarantee space and help to facilitate the moving of the urn to a location of higher care. In the event of the death of a spouse, the bereaved may require emotional support. He or she may also wish to have a meaningful event to commemorate the loved one.
