If you wish to bury a deceased person in Rhineland-Palatinate, you will need a written burial permit from the local regulatory authority of the place of burial and must apply for burial at the responsible authority/cemetery.

Some cemetery authorities also permit burial in a crypt, above-ground or underground burial chambers, mortuaries, urn walls or similar facilities.

There are no legal exceptions to the coffin requirement for burials in the ground. If the religion of the deceased prohibits burial in a coffin, some cemetery operators have developed solutions to reconcile religious motives with the coffin requirement. There are different types of burial sites, although row graves must be available at every cemetery. The respective cemetery operator decides what else is available.

An important difference between an elective grave and a row grave is that it is not possible to extend the right of use in a row grave. Also, only one person at a time can be buried in a row grave. Relatives who die at a later date may therefore not be buried in this row grave, but must be buried in another grave.

The location and size of the grave, the resting period, the duration of the right of use, fees and other details (e.g. grave maintenance) are determined by the respective cemetery administration.

Please note: Most of the formalities are usually taken care of by the appointed funeral home. You will also receive reverent advice there. Ask for an explanation of the services and prices on offer before placing your order.