Cinerarium

/ˌsɪnɪˈrɛəriəm/ noun

Definition

A building or chamber, especially in ancient Rome, where cremated remains or ashes of the dead were stored, often in urns.

Etymology

From Latin 'cinerarius' (relating to ash) plus the neuter suffix '-ium,' literally meaning 'a place for ashes.' Used in Roman funerary architecture and practice.

Kelly Says

Roman cineraria reveal how practical ancients were about death—they built entire apartment buildings just for storing cremation urns, organized like libraries of the dead, showing how central cremation was to their culture.

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