What is a columbarium?

A columbarium is a structure specifically designed to hold cremated remains. It typically consists of wall niches or compartments that can securely contain urns filled with ashes of the deceased. This architectural feature allows families and loved ones to visit and pay respects to the deceased in a designated area.

Understanding columbaria is essential for mortuary services as they offer a respectful and secure means of memorialization for those who have been cremated. Each niche serves as a final resting place and often includes a personalized plaque to commemorate the individual.

The other options do not accurately define a columbarium. An urn is a container, a legal document pertains to the legal aspects surrounding cremation, and scattering ashes involves the distribution of remains rather than their storage.