Computer-controlled cremation repository and associated methodology

A cremation repository comprising:

• a plurality of storage receptacles containing a plurality of storage containers holding cremated remains of respective individuals;
• a robot mechanism disposed proximate to said storage receptacles for accessing same, said robot mechanism including an entrainment device for entraining at least one of said storage containers at a time;
• a computer operatively connected to said robot mechanism for controlling access operations thereof, said computer having a memory storing locations of said storage containers in said receptacles;
• and
• an input device operatively connected to said computer for selecting one of said storage containers to be retrieved by said robot mechanism and conveyed by said robot mechanism to a predetermined location.

A method for operating a cremation repository, comprising:

• storing a multiplicity of containers holding cremated remains of respective individual organisms;
• receiving, from a living human patron, an identification of said patron and an identification of one of said containers;
• operating a computer to check a database to determine whether said patron is entitled to view said one of said containers;
• operating a mechanism to optically highlight or emphasize said one of said containers over other containers stored at the same location;
• and
• after said patron has completed visitation with said one of said containers, operating said mechanism to return said one of said containers to a condition of optical uniformity with the other urns at said location.