As the years go by, more and more people are opting for cremation over a traditional burial. In fact, about 40 percent of Americans choose cremation now, but in 1958, only about 20 percent chose to be cremated. While cremation does have its obvious advantages, from saving money to being more environmentally friendly, this choice does leave you to decide what to do with your cremains once the memorial service is over.

Most people will designate a family member as the safekeeper of their remains, but this is actually not the only option. There are several ways to store cremains so your loved ones are not left housing an urn indefinitely on their mantel. Here are a few choices you should take into consideration for storing your cremains. 

Have your cremains placed in a columbarium. 

A columbarium is a structure, most often located on church grounds or in the middle of a cemetery, that is built specifically for housing cremated remains. Inside of these buildings, there are walls that are lined with small, recessed compartments called niches where cremation urns can be displayed. As an alternative, some modern columbariums are designed as freestanding structures that are not actually a room but more like a wall that has cavities for housing the urns. 

Have your cremains entombed inside of a mausoleum. 

For many years, mausoleums have been considered a more high-end way to keep loved ones who prefer not to be buried in the ground. A mausoleum is a structure in which remains are entombed inside of heavy rock or concrete materials so they are sealed off in an above-ground cavity. Mausoleums are most often used for full-body entombment, but they can also be used as a place to house cremated remains as well. Some cemeteries actually have a mausoleum on site specifically for the entombment of cremated remains. 

Have your cremains buried in a cemetery plot. 

It is a common misconception that if you are cremated, you cannot have a regular burial plot at the cemetery. However, this is actually not the case. If you choose to do so, you can still purchase a plot at a cemetery and have your cremains buried there and marked by a headstone just the same as you would with a traditional burial. If you prefer to be buried alongside family members but want to be cremated, this is a nice alternative. 

To learn more about these and other ways to honor your remains, speak with a funeral director at a funeral home like Danks-Hinski Funeral Home.