What is the primary purpose of a columbarium?

The primary purpose of a columbarium is to store cremated remains. Columbariums are designed specifically for this purpose, typically consisting of multiple niches that can hold urns containing ashes. They offer a respectful and designated space for memorializing and storing these remains, allowing families and friends to visit and pay their respects to their loved ones.

Each niche in a columbarium can be personalized, providing an opportunity for memorial plaques or other commemorative elements. This design caters to the growing number of individuals and families choosing cremation as a burial option, reflecting changing cultural attitudes towards death and remembrance.

Other options, such as housing caskets or providing burial plots, relate to traditional burial practices rather than the specific function of a columbarium. Consequently, they do not align with the primary purpose of serving as a space exclusively for cremated remains. Similarly, while a mausoleum serves as a structure for burial, it accommodates full caskets rather than being designed for the storage of ashes.