Learn All About Cremation Niches

Find out all there is to know about cremation niches to help you make better arrangements for your loved one and

 honor their memory.  

The demand for cemetery cremation niches has surged in popularity as the practice of cremation experiences widespread growth throughout North America. As you begin the process of comparing products it is important to focus on: the cremation niche size, the niche features, and the niche security as these design elements significantly impact cemetery operations. If you are looking for cremation niches for sale in your community or wish to know the cremation niche costs as a cemetery manager, we explore the importance of niche size, its impact on capacity and cost savings, and provide insights into finding reputable manufacturers.  

• Understanding the Importance of Niche Size  

The interior size of a cremation niche holds significant importance, especially when considering the potential for doubling the capacity and offering cost savings for families. For instance, a 48-niche columbarium can be transformed into accommodating 96 interments simply by adding a few more inches to the interior niche depth, allowing space for two urns in a single niche. Sunset Memorial & Stone acknowledges the value this deeper cremation niche provides to cemeteries, offering a standard 12” x 12” x 16″ deep option to facilitate a second interment. With the family decision for urns often made at the funeral home or crematorium, it is essential to find a manufacturer that understands the personal preferences of families and accommodates their needs by offering bigger cremation niches for sale or custom family niche sizes that will accommodate a standard upright urn. 

• Cremation Niche Security  

Knowing how the urns are protected is crucial:  

When choosing a cemetery cremation niche, one of the primary concerns for families is the security and protection of their loved one’s urns. Understanding the security features of a niche is of utmost importance to ensure peace of mind for families and those in charge of cemetery operations. 

Is there an inner door? How is it secure? Is there a key locking that door?

  

A reliable and high-quality cremation niche will typically include an inner door that adds an extra layer of protection to the urns placed inside. This inner door acts as a safeguard, preventing unauthorized access and protecting the urns from any external elements. Inquire about what is behind the granite shutter door and how it is secured. The inner door should be securely fastened within the niche, ensuring it remains closed and locked.  

Sunset Memorial & Stone introduced the first key-locking inner door, offering an essential extra layer of security. This interior door instills families with a feeling of comfort and confidence, as they know their loved one’s urns are well-protected, and only authorized individuals can access the niche’s interior.  

Who has access to the urns once the granite shutter is removed? Is there a key-locked inner security door when the door is removed for inscription?  

Once the granite shutter of the cremation niche is removed for inscription purposes or any necessary arrangements, the presence of a key-locked inner security door becomes vital. This ensures that the urns remain protected and never exposed during the process. It is important to note that after an interment, the urns are never meant to be removed. The key-locked inner security door is specifically designed to allow secure access to the niche’s interior solely for interments, providing a convenient yet safe method for removing the granite shutters without compromising the urns’ security. This thoughtful design guarantees that the urns are well-protected while offering the necessary access to essential services. 

No need for additional security when opening and closing a door.  

When bronze plaques or inscriptions are added to the granite shutter door, the urns may not be as secure if there is no secondary interior security door.  The presence of a key-locked inner security door during inscription or any other service means that additional security measures are not required when opening or closing the niche. This streamlined and secure process ensures that the urns remain protected throughout inscription or bronze application protocols. Families can have the assurance that their loved one’s urns are never exposed to potential risks or damage during these essential procedures.  

Understanding the security features of a cremation niche is vital when choosing a final resting place for loved ones. A well-designed niche with an inner door and a key-locked mechanism bring comfort and peace of mind to families, ensuring the utmost protection and respect. 

• Cremation Niche Access  

Easy and secure access to cremation niches is crucial for cemetery operators who are interested in purchasing the next columbarium. When selecting a niche, it is vital to consider the tools required to open it, whether the columbarium niche features bronze or aluminum rosettes or more secretive rosette-less door access options. Manufacturers at Columbarium USA (Sunset Memorial & Stone) offer both the traditional rosette system of securing the granite door and the new rosette-less Allura System, providing a contemporary columbarium aesthetic. This specialized Allura system ensures smooth and efficient niche operation, adding convenience and elegance to the overall look of the columbarium. By choosing either the more traditional bronze rosette niche doors or the modern Allura System options, cemetery management can rest assured, knowing that their product is easy to work with and thoughtfully designed for functionality and aesthetics.

• Cremation Niche Interior Appearance  

An interior cremation niche typically looks like the inside of a cube or specialized box.  Most are designed to hold one cremation urn while others are designed to accommodate two or more urns. Manufacturers like Sunset Memorial & Stone can customize niche sizes to meet their client’s preferences. Opting for a double-urn interment offers families cost savings, as they only need to cover fees for a second inscription and the opening and closing of the niche. Over the years we have come to learn that the ideal size for a cemetery cremation niche is 12 x 12 x 16 inches deep, allowing ample space for a second urn interment. Niche interiors can be constructed from various materials, including aluminum, granite, or Nylene. For instance, Columbarium USA provides two popular interior niche options, with their aluminum niche core featuring a powder-coated finish to prevent metal urns from fusing to the base. Additionally, our injection molded composite Nylene interior niches have a smooth black surface that is easy to wipe clean.  Always ask about the materials used in the niche construction and how they are engineered to support the weight of the granite and the urns.   

Ask us about secure cremation niches that meet the engineering quality and creative demands of landscape architects, cemetery management, and churches seeking the perfect columbarium design. 

FAQs   

What is the average cost of a cremation niche?  

If you are a family member seeking to purchase a cremation niche for a funeral interment service, the cost of the niche will depend on several factors, including market demand and the chosen cemetery. To determine specific costs, the best approach is to contact local cemeteries and inquire about the availability and prices of columbarium niches for sale. Prices can vary significantly, ranging from around $1200.00 up to $4000 -$5000, and even higher, depending on several key factors.  

• Cemetery Setting and Landscaping: The location and overall aesthetics of the Columbarium garden can influence the pricing. Cemeteries with premium landscapes and well-maintained columbaria gardens may have higher costs compared to simpler settings.  

• Local Market Demand: Cremation niches for sale in a particular area can be totally different in another part of the country. Consumer demand and inventory can impact prices. High-demand regions may have higher costs due to limited availability.  
• Companion interments: It is essential to consider the additional fees associated with interment and inquire about the capacity of the niches, especially if you need them to hold companion urns.  

For cemetery managers or those considering purchasing a columbarium for a church, cemetery, or organization, the cremation niche cost is affected by the following three factors:  

• Columbarium Style: Whether the columbarium is a custom shape or a standard rectangular design can affect pricing. Custom columbarium designs may be more expensive due to unique features, granite colors, and specifications. But never be spooked by the word “custom”.  Sometimes small changes to a design can add personalization but not blow the budget.  Little details can add a lot to a Columbarium design. 

• Roof Style: The type of roof, whether flat, sloped, gabled, or dome, can also influence the cost of the columbarium or the average cremation niche cost. The most expensive part of a columbarium is the granite roof and the base. In general, the more niches you can set between the two, the lower the cost per niche. 
• Project Scale: The number of niches being purchased (If you are interested in purchasing 30 or 300 niches the number of niches can impact the overall cost. Buying columbaria in larger niche quantities may offer advantages as crane and shipping costs can be distributed among a higher number of niches.  

Overall, cremation niche costs can vary from project to project.  So, find a columbarium manufacturer who will have your best interests at heart.  

What does a cremation niche look like inside?  

Cremation niche interiors are usually rectangular prism or cube shape.  The interiors can be made from varied materials, including granite, aluminum, and Nylene. Granite niches, being three times heavier than aluminum or Nylene, require sturdier foundations to support their weight. On the other hand, aluminum and Nylene niche cores are integrated into lightweight, design-friendly aluminum frames. The aluminum cores are powder-coated to prevent metal urns from fusing to the base, ensuring easy maintenance. What makes the aluminum core popular is its flexibility to accommodate custom niche sizes. Meanwhile, the Nylene core, though slightly smaller due to tapered edges, can hold two standard-sized urns.

At Columbarium USA, we have listened to cemetery managers and have determined that the ideal size for a cremation niche is 12 x 12 x 16 inches deep, which allows ample space for a second urn interment. Naturally, we have designed (and priced competitively) our standard columbarium niches respecting this more desirable size. We have the engineering skillset to also create larger family niche options or custom sizes for our clients. So, find a manufacturer who will never make you feel restricted if you require a custom columbarium or custom niche size. 

Glass front cremation niches are exclusively employed in interior mausoleums. These specialized niches offer a captivating view of the cremation urns, beautifully displayed behind the elegant glass shutters. When searching for manufacturers, consider esteemed companies like Sunset Memorial & Stone, renowned for their ability to accommodate custom sizes of glass front cremation niches, complete with beveled edge glass fronts. Inquire about, the option of incorporating tall banks of gracefully curved glass fronts adds a stunning visual element, effectively breaking the monotony of a lengthy niche wall. To create an aesthetically pleasing entrance to a room or the cremation niche section of a mausoleum, seek a manufacturer that supplies curved corner glass cremation niches.  

Whether you are: a family member seeking a cremation niche for sale for a suitable final resting place, or a cemetery manager looking for a new columbarium wondering about the average cremation niche costs, or a landscape architect seeking to find a partner to help you create an exciting new custom columbarium garden, don’t hesitate to ask us about our many cremation niche features.  By highlighting the importance of niche size, capacity, and cost savings, we encourage you to consider options that can accommodate two urns, maximizing the space’s utility and value. Columbarium USA’s commitment to providing a deeper standardized niche option underscores our dedication to meeting the diverse needs of both cemeteries and families. The emphasis on security, with inner doors and key-locking mechanisms, assures families that their loved ones’ urns are well-protected and respected. Pay attention to the accessibility features of the exterior niche door and explore the modern options available, such as the new Allura System, which highlights a commitment to providing sophisticated and stylish memorial elements to any columbarium. By gaining valuable insights into the various materials and engineering designs of cremation niches, we want you to be confident in your future cremation niche purchase. Never hesitate to reach out and inquire about the cost of cemetery cremation niches. 

  

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