What is the purpose of an ossuary?

An ossuary serves as a receptacle specifically designed for the storage of cremated remains. This practice allows for the collection and containment of ashes after the cremation process, providing a respectful and organized means to memorialize individuals. Ossuaries can vary in form and may take the shape of containers, burial chambers, or even larger structures accommodating multiple individuals’ remains.

While there are options that refer to related practices in burial and mourning, the primary function of an ossuary is focused on the preservation of cremated remains rather than communal burial, temporary body holding, or public mourning facilities. Thus, the identification of an ossuary as a receptacle for cremated remains accurately reflects its designated purpose within funerary customs.