Columbarium vs. Columbary — What's the Difference?

A columbarium is an architectural structure with niches for funeral urns to be stored. Each niche serves as a final resting place for cremated remains. The word columbarium has its origins in Roman history. On the other hand, a columbary is a term that can refer to a dovecote, a structure intended to house doves and pigeons. While both terms derive from the Latin "columba," meaning dove, their current uses are distinct.

While traditionally, a columbarium is associated with the respectful storage of human ashes, a columbary, despite its interchangeable usage in some contexts, typically designates a habitat for birds. The context in which the two terms are used often determines their interpretation, with columbarium being more commonly recognized in the funerary context.

Columbariums are often found within cemeteries or integrated into church buildings, reflecting their somber and ceremonial role. The design and management of these structures are usually under the purview of cemetery authorities. Conversely, a columbary, when used in the sense of a birdhouse, is less formal and is linked to aviculture rather than human memorial customs.

The columbarium serves as a testament to modern funeral practices, especially in areas where traditional burial space may be scarce. Conversely, the use of the word columbary as a dovecote speaks to an older tradition of bird-keeping, although this usage is much rarer today.

Columbariums can be indoor or outdoor structures and are notable for their array of small, compartmentalized spaces. A columbary, if referred to in the sense of a structure for birds, would feature spaces designed for the comfort and nesting of pigeons or doves, reflecting a much different purpose and design.