What is the Difference Between a Columbarium and a Mausoleum?

Columbarium and mausoleum are both above-ground options for memorializing loved ones, but they serve different purposes:

• Columbarium:

A structure with niches designed to hold cremation urns. It’s specifically for cremated remains.  

• Mausoleum: A building or structure designed to hold caskets. It can also house columbarium niches for cremated remains, but its primary purpose is for full-body interment.  

To summarize:

• Columbarium: For cremated remains.  
• Mausoleum: For caskets, and sometimes cremated remains.