Modern necropolises consist of various forms of burial of the deceased. These are not only traditional earth graves, but also mass tombs or columbaria. This type of cemetery building, which is becoming more and more popular, is no different from a traditional burial. It is a dignified way of burial and commemoration of loved ones, in accordance with legal regulations.
What should you know about columbariums where urns with the ashes of a deceased person are placed?
What is a columbarium and how does it differ from a grave?
A columbarium is nothing more than a place to store urns with ashes. It serves as a collective tomb. It is a dignified burial place for the loved ones of the deceased.
The columbarium began to be erected in Roman and early Christian times. In the times of Emperor Augustus (in ancient Rome), it was the most popular form of storing ashes and commemorating the dead.
A columbarium is a wall in which urns of up to several hundred deceased can be placed, which makes this building a collective tomb and, m.in, significantly regulates the resting places in the selected cemetery.
It differs significantly from traditional burial in a grave in that the burial is followed by cremation of the corpse, and then the urn with the ashes of a loved one is placed in a special place in the columbarium.
What does a columbarium look like?
A columbarium is a cemetery structure in the form of a cuboid. On its wall there are plaques commemorating the dead, exactly the same as in an earth grave.
A columbarium can come in a variety of sizes and shapes, depending on your design and preferences. It is often placed in a chapel, church or cemetery, but it can also be a separate building or part of an existing cemetery infrastructure.
The aesthetics of a columbarium can be varied, from classic and elegant to modern and minimalist, allowing it to be adapted to different architectural styles and aesthetic preferences.
The urns of the deceased are properly protected against light or air, just like this place in an earth or brick grave. The difference is that a funeral in a columbarium is a cheaper solution than traditional types of burial.
Place for urns with ashes in the columbarium
The space for urns in a columbarium can take many forms, depending on the design and architectural style:
- Niche wall – a classic form of columbarium, in which urns are placed in one of the niches in the wall. Niches can be made of a variety of materials, such as marble, granite, wood, or architectural concrete, and can be finished in a variety of ways to match the overall style of the columbarium.
- Closet with niches – alternatively, space for urns can be provided by a closet with built-in niches. Such cabinets can be free-standing or built into the wall, depending on your needs and preferences.
- Modular systems – there are also modular columbaria systems that allow you to flexibly adjust the size and layout of the urn space depending on your needs. These systems can be easily adapted to the changing number of ballot boxes.
- Individual Memorials – Some columbariums also offer the option of placing individual memorials or plaques at individual niches, allowing families to personalize a memorial for their loved ones.
A place to lay flowers and candles
The columbarium has a special place for placing candles and flowers, which may vary depending on the specific building.
In some columbaria, you can find specially designated places, such as tables or shelves, where you can place flowers and candles. They can be placed near the niches with urns or in other convenient places inside the columbarium.
Other columbariums can provide a common place to lay flowers and candles, for example in the central part of the facility, where special stands or containers for flowers and candle holders can be designated.
Some columbariums allow families to place flowers and candles directly next to the urn niches, allowing for individual commemoration of each deceased person.
The course of the funeral ceremony with burial in a columbarium and the organization of the burial
What does a funeral in a columbarium look like? The ceremony is no different from a burial in a traditional grave. The funeral begins in the church, where a mass is celebrated for the deceased, and then the mourners go to the cemetery, where the urn of the deceased is solemnly placed in the columbarium.
Assistance in conducting a funeral and burial is provided by almost every funeral home that provides comprehensive funeral services. The funeral home deals with the cremation process, providing a place in the columbarium and conducting a solemn funeral. Exactly the same as in the case of a traditional burial.
Urn funeral in columbarium is becoming more and more common
Although traditional burials in graves are still popular in smaller towns (due to the need to cremate the body of the deceased), in large metropolises burial sites are already being abandoned and a columbarium is often chosen.
Especially in the case of cemeteries that have limited burial space. The columbarium is becoming a response to the problem of limited burial space in modern cemeteries. And it is a type of sacral building that is fully compliant with Polish law.
Aesthetic and durable columbaria made of noble concrete
One of the most durable columbariums is definitely one made of noble concrete. This plastic provides a durable burial place for years.
DASAG’s columbaria (urn walls) combine durability with aesthetics. Made of the highest quality materials, they provide not only a solid structure, but also a unique design that blends harmoniously with the surroundings. Thanks to our columbaria, storing the ashes of loved ones becomes not only practical, but also a beautiful and dignified place of remembrance.
