What is a Columbarium?

The term “columbarium” is Latin in its origin and means a “resting place for doves”. A columbarium is meant as an option as the final resting place for cremated remains of the dearly departed. A columbarium is comprised of individual niches. This new structure will provide families with both interior glass front niches and exterior granite front niches. They will accommodate up to two urns depending on the size of the niche and room for additional mementos, keepsakes, and photos. A columbarium niche is an alternative to traditional earth burial and free from the elements of the ground. It a great option as opposed to scattering or keeping the cremated remains at home. It provides for the permanent placement to memorialize your loved one with secure, managed access to a dignified place of remembrance. 

Why a Columbarium?

It is important to have choices when deciding how best to memorialize a loved one’s passing. This new columbarium at the Garden of Memories Cemetery in Yankton is unique in that it is the only one of its kind in the area. The indoor glass front niches are also a unique feature and offer families the option of visually enhancing their loved one’s final resting place of remembrance through adding pictures or keepsakes to reflect a life well lived. There are four size options of indoor niches, all with LED lighting and most can accommodate two urns. The exterior granite niches include a personalized bronze nameplate with the option of adding a precious portrait or a vase for flowers. All of the exterior niches are designed to hold up to two urns.   

A columbarium is an alternative to burial requiring a headstone or marker. It offers a permanent memorial that provides a dedicated place of remembrance and a tribute for a life lived and never forgotten. A place to remind loved ones of a life that touched our own.

Columbarium Details

The columbarium at the Garden of Memories Cemetery is near the entrance of the cemetery just south of the existing mausoleum. It is a 28 by 20 foot structure with a 10½ foot ceiling, built completely out of granite, designed to withstand the test of time. Both the indoor and outdoor niches feature seven levels of niches to fit every family’s budget. The columbarium is fully secured and monitored with access to interior niches with a keypad entry. The columbarium was completed in September of 2023 and is now in operation for those families choosing cremation.

Please call Wintz & Ray Funeral Home at 605 665-3644 for more information or to reserve your space today.