What term describes a structure that houses multiple urns for the storage of cremated remains?

The term that describes a structure designed specifically for the storage of multiple urns containing cremated remains is known as a columbarium. This is a framed structure typically found within cemeteries or crematories that provides a respectful environment for families to place urns. Columbariums often feature niches that can be reserved for individual families or individuals, allowing for personal memorialization of the deceased.

Chapel, mausoleum, and shrine do not fit this definition. A chapel is primarily a space for holding services and ceremonies, not for the storage of cremated remains. A mausoleum is a larger building that contains caskets rather than urns and is designed for interment of remains in a more traditional burial sense. A shrine generally refers to a place of worship or a memorial that honors a specific person or event, but it does not serve the functional purpose of storing urns. Therefore, columbarium is the accurate term for a structure dedicated to the storage of multiple urns.