Columbarium
A structure with small niches for holding urns. Found in cemeteries and inside some places of worship. The cremation equivalent of a burial plot.
Niches are typically 8–12 inches per side and accommodate a single urn or sometimes two. Many have glass fronts so the urn is visible; others are sealed with a stone or bronze plate engraved with the name and dates.
Costs vary by location and tier (eye-level rows cost more than top or bottom rows). 2026 ranges: $700–$3,000 for the niche itself, plus $200–$600 for the engraved plate, plus opening/closing fees of $200–$500.
A columbarium niche is one of several options for cremated remains — others are scattering, burial (in a cemetery plot, often shallower than a casket plot), home keeping, or splitting the remains across multiple destinations. There is no single legally required option.
- Cremation— Reducing the body to bone fragments and ash using high heat (about 1,400–1,800 °F) over two to three hours. The resulting 'cremated remains' weigh 4–8 pounds for an adult.
- Urn— The container that holds cremated remains. Required only if the family wants something more permanent than the temporary plastic container the crematory provides.
- Scattering— Releasing cremated remains in a chosen location — sea, mountain, forest, garden, sports field. Legal in most situations with a few specific rules.
This definition is general consumer information, not legal, medical, or financial advice. Industry practices and regulations change occasionally; verify before relying on anything here for a specific decision.
Stuck or just need to hear a human voice?
Call (555) 555-55559am–9pm ET, every day.
Prefer email? support@honestfuneral.co