The cremation is a growing funeral practice in France. Today, 34% of French people choose to be cremated at the time of their death. By 2020, statistics predict a cremation rate of almost 50%. Cemeteries have adapted to this trend to free up space for cinerary monuments.
Columbariums, cinerary monuments that have become a must for cemeteries
For bereaved families, it's often difficult to make the right choice about where to place the ashes, as there are so many options available. The ashes of the deceased can be scattered, but in most cases they are kept in an urn, placed in a cinerary grave, a cavurne or in a columbarium. The latter option is frequently chosen by families. The columbarium, usually made of graniteis a cinerary monument installed in the local cemetery. Since December 19, 2008, the 2008-1350 law on funeral legislation has required communes of over 2,000 inhabitants to have a cinerary space. Depositing a loved one's cinerary urn in a columbarium requires the acquisition of a concession, for a limited period (generally 10 to 50 years) and a variable price. All these elements can be described in a set of cinerary regulations. These spaces, owned by the town council, are therefore maintained by the commune under the responsibility of the mayor.
The collective columbarium, a widely acclaimed cinerary monument
The family can decide whether to acquire a plot in an individual or collective columbarium. Until now, columbariums have only been available in collective form. Today, they're still very popular. Square, round or circular, they are designed according to a complex architecture. It is composed of multiple compartments, called niches, each able to accommodate one to several urns from the same family. Once the urn has been placed in a niche, the compartment is closed with a door, also known as a lid, on which is placed an inscription plate showing the first name, surname, date of birth and death of the deceased, and sometimes his or her photograph. Always built above ground, the collective columbarium is easily identifiable in a cemetery thanks to its raised height. Columbariums can be fitted with flower overhangs, allowing families to enjoy an individual space for flowers and meditation.
The individual columbarium, a discreet memorial for greater privacy
Less common, the individual columbarium is becoming increasingly popular. Built above ground, like the collective columbarium, it takes the form of an individual granite (or other material) box placed on the ground. It is also adorned with a plaque bearing the person's first and last name, date of birth and death, photo and/or other engraving. More discreet than the collective monument, the individual columbarium has, in most cases, ample space for flowers. The families and loved ones of the deceased enjoy a certain degree of privacy in which to pay their respects and honor the deceased. For this reason, the individual columbarium is beginning to appeal to families. Individual columbariums should not be confused with cavurnes, small vaults built in the ground and closed by a granite or concrete slab. Considered mini-tombes, they can accommodate between four and eight urns from the same family.
