Maryland Columbarium Builders - Tegeler Monument Company

TL;DR: Maryland Columbarium Builders

What is a Columbarium?
A columbarium is a structure designed specifically for cremation, containing individual cavities (niches) to house urns. It serves as an above-ground alternative to traditional burial, functioning essentially as a “mausoleum for urns.”
Key Benefits
Columbaria offer a cost-effective and space-saving solution compared to traditional plots. They provide a dedicated, protected environment for visitation and reflection, ensuring urns are preserved against the elements while offering a serene community setting.
Public vs. Private Options
Tegeler Monument builds both public columbaria (large structures for cemeteries and churches to serve the community) and private family columbaria (smaller, exclusive structures designed to hold the remains of a single family or group).
Customization & Plaques
The niche covers (plaques) act as headstones and can be fully personalized. Options include laser engraving of text and photos, bronze emblems representing faith or hobbies, and durable porcelain portraits to honor your loved one’s legacy.

As the preference for cremation continues to grow, many cemeteries and churches are seeking alternatives to traditional in-ground burials. One such alternative is the columbarium, a concept that might be unfamiliar to many. It’s time to turn to the experts for answers. Tegeler Monument, a leading columbarium builder in Maryland, stands ready to address all your inquiries.

Whether you represent a church or cemetery planning to construct a public or private columbarium or are an individual interested in a columbarium for a loved one or your family, Tegeler is your trusted builder. Keep reading to discover why columbaria have become a popular choice and explore the diverse design options available when working with Tegeler.

What is a Columbarium?

A columbarium is essentially a mausoleum for urns. It’s a small to large structure that contains cavities (known as niches) which house the urns. These structures are often found at churches and cemeteries for both sensible and emotional reasons:

Space Efficiency: Columbaria utilize vertical space, making them a practical option for areas with limited land availability.
Memorialization: They provide a dedicated space for families to honor and remember their loved ones, often allowing for personalization.

Preservation of Urns: The controlled environment helps protect the urns from weather elements and potential damage.
Accessibility: Columbaria can offer convenient access for family and friends to visit their loved ones, enhancing the memorial experience.
Community Connection: They often foster a sense of community among those who visit, creating a shared space for reflection and remembrance.
Aesthetic Appeal: Many columbaria are designed with beautiful architecture and landscaping, contributing to the overall serenity of the memorial site.

Columbaria vary greatly in size. Some are built to hold just a few remains (perfect for a private family columbarium) while others hold upwards of hundreds of urns (ideal for larger, public cemeteries). Each person has their own niche in the columbarium. Each urn will be placed in the cut-out section of the wall with a permanent plate that will completely seal the urn in the niche. This covering is almost like the headstone for an in-ground burial plot. These columbarium plaques contain the name of the deceased, date of death and any other personalization and decoration that their loved ones would like.

Columbaria are similar to mausoleums, but mausoleums hold caskets rather than urns like a columbarium. Mausoleums are also a very popular alternative to the traditional in-ground burial.

Understanding Columbaria

A columbarium serves as a sanctuary for urns, akin to a mausoleum for cremated remains. It’s a structure, varying in size from small to large, housing niches designed to cradle urns. These columbaria are strategically placed in churches and cemeteries, serving both practical and emotional purposes:

A Place of Remembrance: Columbaria provide a serene setting for remembering and honoring the departed. Visiting loved ones’ niches offers solace and a tangible connection.
Personalization for Healing: Each niche can be customized, aiding in the healing process after a loss. Personal touches help keep cherished memories alive.
Space Efficiency: Columbaria are efficient space-savers, accommodating a significantly larger number of remains compared to traditional cemetery plots.
Affordable Option: Columbarium burial provides a cost-effective alternative to in-ground burial, making it accessible to many.
Perpetual Storage: For many, columbaria offer an enduring place to store cremated remains for future generations.

Columbaria: An Asset for Cemeteries

The surge in cremations has led churches and cemeteries to seek meaningful solutions for the interment of cremated remains. As cremation becomes the preferred choice over traditional burials, columbaria prove to be a valuable asset.

Public columbaria are typically constructed by churches or cemeteries, offering plot owners flexibility in how they wish to memorialize their loved ones. Private columbaria, conversely, are often built at the request of a family or group. These are generally accessible exclusively to family members, friends, plot owners, and cemetery staff.

Image of a grave marker on Tegeler's website

Columbarium Plaques & Engraving

One of the most vital components of any columbarium is the columbarium plaque. These plaques enable niche owners to personalize their “headstones,” preserving the memory of the deceased for generations to come. At Tegeler Monument, we offer numerous options for columbarium plaques:

Laser Engraving

Text, images, photographs, and designs can be engraved on both the inside and outside of the columbarium niche.

Bronze Emblems

We can embed bronze emblems representing religious symbols, hobbies, careers, organizations, and more into the columbarium plaque.

Porcelain Photographs

Mounted photographs on the plaque serve as poignant representations of those resting within the columbarium niche.

Weather-Resistant Granite Plaques

These plaques withstand all weather conditions, ensuring your loved one’s legacy endures.

The design possibilities for columbarium plaques are virtually limitless, and we are here to assist you in crafting a columbarium that resonates with your vision. Tegeler is responsible for constructing and installing the structure, provided cemetery regulations permit. However, the placement of urns is managed by the funeral home, and we can offer recommendations on sizing and placement. The funeral home is responsible for preparing, cremating, and interring the remains within the columbarium.

In summary, columbaria offer a lasting and meaningful resting place for cremated remains. Their durability, customization options, and aesthetic appeal make them an excellent choice for preserving the memory of your loved ones for generations to come. Tegeler is here to bring your vision to life and create a heartfelt tribute that stands the test of time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average cost per niche to build a columbarium?
The cost varies significantly depending on whether you are building a small private family unit or a large public structure, as well as the materials (granite types), the number of niches, and the intricacy of the plaque designs. Because each project is custom-designed to meet specific needs and budgets, we recommend contacting us at (410) 944-0300 for a detailed consultation and estimate.

How much space is required to build a columbarium?
One of the primary benefits of a columbarium is its space efficiency. By utilizing vertical space, these structures can accommodate a large number of urns in an area with limited land availability. The specific footprint depends on the design—ranging from compact private units for a single family to expansive walls for public cemeteries—and we can design a structure that maximizes your available ground space.

What are the zoning or cemetery regulations for columbariums in Maryland?
Regulations regarding the installation of columbariums vary by location. Public columbariums built by churches or cemeteries must adhere to local zoning and operational guidelines, while private units must comply with the specific rules of the cemetery where they are placed. Tegeler Monument Company is experienced in navigating these regulations and will work with you to ensure your project meets all necessary cemetery and installation requirements.

How long does the construction process take from start to finish?
The timeline for a columbarium project depends on the scope of the design (public vs. private) and the customization involved. The process includes design consultation, fabrication of the granite structure and bronze/granite plaques, and professional installation. For a precise timeline based on your specific vision, please reach out to our team to discuss your project details.

Image of grave markers on Tegeler Monument's website

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