What are the key considerations when arranging a family columbarium? Below, Sales Manager Mr. Luo from HuaHeng Columbarium Factory, Jiangxi, China explains the important points regarding the placement and precautions for family memorial niches.

Location and Placement Guidelines

Direction: The family columbarium or altar should face from inside the home toward the main entrance. Ideally, it should be oriented toward the front door. If this isn’t feasible due to space constraints, it should still face in the general direction of the entrance. Avoid placing it too close to the door.

Quiet and Clean Space: The area around the columbarium niche or altar should be quiet, clean, and serene. Avoid placing speakers, televisions, or other noisy items nearby.

Avoid Facing Certain Areas: Do not position the columbarium or altar facing a bed, dining table, kitchen, or bathroom, as these are considered inappropriate in traditional practice. If it must be placed in a bedroom, use a yellow curtain to shield it during sleep.

Stable Backing: Ensure the structure is against a solid wall. The adjacent room on the other side of the wall should not be a bathroom or kitchen.

Avoid Beams: Do not place the columbarium or altar directly under overhead beams.

Height: The installation should not be too low; a moderate height is recommended, space permitting.

Number of Deities: When enshrining deities, use an odd number (not even). If both Buddhas and other deities are present, place the Buddha above others, as they are considered higher in spiritual hierarchy.

Direction Based on Feng Shui: Avoid due south and due west placements (slight deviations are acceptable). Other directions are suitable, preferably aligned with the home’s feng shui arrangement.

Additional Considerations

Incense Offering: Burning three sticks of incense is ideal, though one is acceptable. If busy, incense may be offered on the 1st and 15th days of the lunar month.

Fresh Fruit Offerings: Offer fresh fruits and replace them before they spoil. Shared consumption with family is encouraged after offering.

Water and Flowers: Place a cup of clean water in front of the Buddha. Fresh flowers are also recommended when possible.

Guanyin Placement: The Goddess of Mercy (Guanyin) should face east. Avoid positioning her toward bathrooms, bedrooms, or dining tables.

Offerings: Guanyin is vegetarian—offer only flowers and fruits. Other deities may be offered three types of animal sacrifice.

About Our Company

HuaHeng Columbarium Factory Jiangxi, China specializes in manufacturing aluminum alloy columbarium products, including Ten Thousand Buddha Walls, Thousand Buddha Walls, Eternal Lights, Memorial Tablets, and Shrines. Our products are known for their aesthetic columbarium design, lightweight structure, fire resistance, and practicality, earning wide recognition and laying a solid foundation for our growth in mainland China.

With 17 years of expertise in cabinet design, we blend traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation to create unique and meaningful spaces.

HuaHeng Columbarium Factory, Jiangxi, China

• Leading producer of columbarium niches in China

• 17 years of industry experience, over 400 employees

• 40,000㎡ facility, monthly production capacity of 100,000 doors

We provide end-to-end services including production, sales, and installation of columbarium niches, Buddha Walls, and memorial tablets.