In a Columbarium, besides the front panel, the inner compartment is one of the most important components. Today, Sales Manager Mr. Luo from HuaHeng Columbarium Factory in Jiangxi, China, will share some key parameters, types, and tips on how to choose the right compartment for a Columbarium.

The compartment forms the main structure and is designed to store items such as urns, keepsakes of the deceased, and ritual offerings. These are typically placed inside during memorial ceremonies. What materials are commonly used to make these compartments?

Marble and Wood
In the past, especially after China’s reform and opening-up, although cremation was available, burial remained the dominant practice. Columbarium units were mainly used in funeral parlors and public cemeteries for short-term storage of urns, so there weren’t strict requirements for long-term preservation. Most niches were made of marble or wood.

Nowadays, marble Columbarium compartments have largely been phased out due to high material costs, demanding production techniques, and difficult installation processes.

Influenced by traditional Chinese beliefs, some people still prefer marble compartments for a sense of permanence and tranquility, but these are usually limited to small-scale applications such as family ancestral halls. Wooden compartments, on the other hand, are also becoming less common due to their high cost, susceptibility to moisture, insects, and fire, as well as generally lower durability. Those that remain in use are mostly high-end carved wooden units, which are now relatively rare in the general market.

Synthetic Polymer Materials
Synthetic polymers offer good wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and electrical insulation. However, due to pricing and long-term stability concerns, many customers are still hesitant to fully accept synthetic polymer Columbarium compartments.

Consider this: a Columbarium compartment can be sold for thousands or even tens of thousands of RMB. If customers are told that the unit is made of synthetic polymer, those familiar with the material may appreciate it, but those who aren’t might see it as mere “plastic,” which could undervalue the product. As a result, synthetic polymer compartments have not gained widespread acceptance in the industry.

Today, we’ve discussed marble, wood, and synthetic polymer Columbarium compartments. There are three more materials to cover—Mr. Luo will share those in the next part.