Each cemetery operates under different rules and procedures, which effects the available burial and marker options. Despite misconceptions that burial space is limited, studies have shown that space is available to serve future needs for at least another century. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the cost differential between cremation and burial is minimal. Cremation dates back to the later prehistoric era. It is the traditional method of Hindus and Buddhists, and has become more popular in the past thirty years.
Cremation is a reduction of the body by incineration for several hours to small skeletal fragments.
The fragments are then placed in a memorial urn which may be buried, placed in a memorial niche, or kept in some other location, such as the home. The fragments may also be scattered as desired. A memorial niche is part of a columbarium, which in turn is the part of a mausoleum set aside for cremated remains. A mausoleum is a building which contains several vaults for entombment. These vaults are either burial vaults, called crypts, or the aforementioned columbariums.