Columbarium Advantages: So Much Simpler Than Burial
If you are considering a burial option for your members, you may be weighing both burial and a columbarium. After all, burial yards were commonplace for churches for centuries. Even some schools had cemeteries. One point is that there is increasing demand for cremation within the US. That presents a new opportunity for your organization to serve your members. However, you need to know how establishing a cemetery for burial compares to establishing a columbarium for your organization.
Less Regulation
The establishment of a columbarium is minimal compared to the establishment of full burial plots.
Cremated ashes, or “cremains”, do not pose a health concern. The transportation of cremains is not regulated at all, leaving families more choice for the location of final disposition. For example, you might be aware that cremains can be carried by anyone, mailed in the US Postal Service or taken on an airplane.
Regulation is further reduced for non-profit organizations. Communities realize that disposition – especially affordable disposition – is a major service.
Optimal Land Use
A columbarium is compact. Not only does it have multiple niches but the niches can be variable sizes. Architarium’s niches allow double interment with many commercially available urns.
In addition, our system allows just about any configuration. This allows installation around an existing structure. Extreme situations that Architarium has accommodated include installation around windows, under a stairwell, over a service door, etc.
Land is increasingly sparse as our populations migrate to cities. Cemeteries run out of space. Organizations may become land-locked. Urn structures are an excellent choice to accommodate the continuous need for burial.
Intimacy
A columbarium is conducive to a nicely designed and intimate memorial setting. As mentioned above, it is compact. As a result, there may be multiple options for its location in your campus. It can go indoor or outdoors – which also provides more location options. It calls out for a special area. There are so many design options which will set it apart from the rest of the campus and comfort visitors.
Architectural Integration
Integrating new structures – aesthetically and physically – into an existing environment is key.
Columbarium products tend to look alike externally. This is intentional. They are intended to integrate into the existing or planned architecture. Many of Architarium’s clients build walls that compliment the main building to accommodate the columbarium. Furthermore, Architarium’s system allows a variety of configurations and shapes.
Minimal Infrastructure
The new structure can leverage existing infrastructure: electric, lighting, irrigation, pavement, security, etc. Even where new infrastructure needs to be established, it is minimal compared to what a cemetery requires.
Specific new infrastructure which will be required depends on the structure’s style:
- Flat or curved insert style: only a new wall is required.
- Wall addon style: only an existing wall is required
- Free-standing style, only a concrete pad is required.
- Ground niche style: only a paved recess with drainage is required
Lower Long Term Costs
With a columbarium, the majority of the cost is up-front. It should be – if the columbarium is secure and durable. And if you are expanding, it means there is demand and income.
With a burial cemetery, there is some up-front cost such as permitting and excavation equipment. Any mausoleum is also a cost.
However, the bigger cost is perpetual care. There will be ongoing costs for regulatory compliance, compliance and possibly repairs. Repairs can be necessitated by things like vandalism and land compression. Also, mausoleums are notorious for maintenance issues. A Google search on “mausoleum failure” will yield more insight.
