Which term is used for a structure that holds cremated remains in niches within a mausoleum or similar building?

• A. Cenotaph
• B. Columbarium
• C. Coffin
• D. Church truck

Answer: (B)

A columbarium is the structure designed to hold cremated remains in niches within a mausoleum or similar building. It’s specifically built to accommodate urns, with individual compartments or niches arranged along walls or in chambers. The term comes from a Latin word meaning a place for doves, historically describing niches for resting ashes.

Why this fits best: it describes the exact purpose and setting— cremated remains stored in urns inside a building in separate compartments.

Why the others don’t fit: a cenotaph is a memorial monument, not a storage for ashes; a coffin is the receptacle for a body before cremation or burial; a church truck refers to a vehicle and isn’t a storage structure for remains.