Columbarium & Niche Options in Kingston


Cataraqui Cemetery offers columbarium and niche options in Kingston for families choosing cremation who prefer an above-ground form of memorialization. As Kingston’s not-for-profit provider of cemetery, funeral, cremation, and monument services, families benefit from the convenience of many services under one roof, supported by experienced and licensed professionals.

Columbarium placement provides a permanent and dignified resting place for cremated remains within a structured memorial setting. These above-ground spaces allow families to create lasting memorials that are accessible, protected, and easy to visit throughout the year.


What Is a Columbarium or Niche?

A columbarium is an above-ground structure with compartments, called "niches," designed to hold cremated remains. Each niche is enclosed with a durable memorial panel that includes inscriptions such as names and dates.

Most community columbaria and niches at Cataraqui Cemetery are designed to accommodate:

  • Up to two cremations, depending on urn size
  • Memorial panel with first inscription included (up to 40 characters)
  • Additional inscriptions, characters, or designs available at additional cost
  • Secure placement within a structured memorial setting
  • Perpetual care and long-term maintenance

Columbarium niches provide families with a respectful, highly visible, and easily accessible place of remembrance within the cemetery grounds.


Community Columbarium Options in Kingston

Cataraqui Cemetery offers community columbarium structures located within carefully planned sections of the cemetery landscape. These locations provide accessible and dignified spaces for cremation memorialization.

A community columbarium is a large, permanent structure made up of many individual compartments called niches. Each niche is purchased separately and is dedicated to a single family. While the overall structure is shared within the cemetery community, each niche remains private and is not shared between unrelated families.

Community columbarium placement provides:

  • Above-ground placement for cremated remains
  • Individual niches purchased by families for private use
  • Memorial panel with first inscription included (up to 40 characters)
  • Additional inscriptions, characters, or designs available at additional cost
  • Protection from ground settlement and soil conditions
  • Convenient access for family visits
  • Perpetual care and long-term maintenance
  • A structured and organized memorial setting

Columbarium areas are designed to blend with the surrounding landscape while providing a lasting and easily identifiable place of remembrance.


Private Columbarium Options in Kingston

In addition to community columbaria, Cataraqui Cemetery also offers the opportunity for families to establish private columbarium structures designed exclusively for their own use.

A private columbarium is a dedicated structure that is not shared with other families. These memorial structures provide a highly personalized form of cremation placement, allowing families to create a distinctive and lasting memorial space for their family alone.

Private columbaria may be:

  • Installed within approved cemetery sections designed for private columbarium placement 
  • Located on selected adult grave sites, where permitted by cemetery by-laws
  • Designed to accommodate multiple cremation placements for family use
  • Customized in size, style, and memorial design to reflect family preferences

Private columbaria are typically smaller in scale than community columbaria but offer greater opportunities for personalization and family identity. These structures provide a private and dedicated memorial location that may serve multiple generations.

Availability of private columbarium options may vary based on section planning and site suitability. Families interested in establishing a private columbarium are encouraged to contact cemetery staff to discuss current opportunities and design requirements.


Planning for Companion Placement

Many families choose columbarium niches that allow placement for more than one cremation. Companion niches provide the opportunity for spouses, partners, or family members to be memorialized together within a shared space.

Planning companion placement allows families to:

  • Keep loved ones together in one location
  • Establish shared family memorial spaces
  • Simplify future placement arrangements
  • Maintain consistent memorial design
  • Plan ahead for future family needs

When comparing memorial options, families may find that columbarium placement offers both flexibility and long-term value. A single niche may accommodate two cremation urns and includes the first inscription on the memorial panel. In contrast, traditional in-ground burial typically involves the purchase of both a grave space and a separate monument or marker. Reviewing these options together often helps families better understand the full scope of planning considerations.

Our staff are available to assist families in selecting available niche locations and determining the most appropriate placement option based on both current and future planning considerations.


To Learn More

To learn more about columbarium and niche options in Kingston, or to discuss availability, families are encouraged to contact our staff for a no-obligation consultation. As Kingston’s not-for-profit provider of cemetery, funeral, cremation, and monument services, Cataraqui Cemetery & Funeral Services offers families the convenience of many services under one roof, supported by experienced and licensed professionals.

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