Permit Excavation, reburial and cremation

You can have a remains exhumed if you want to bury the deceased in another grave. You can also still cremate the remains.

You need a permit to exhume a remains. This can be done either within 2 months of the burial or at least 10 years after. The mayor reviews the application.

To obtain an exhumation permit, you or your funeral director can use the online form.

Burial or cremation by the municipality

Article 21 of the Burial Act states that the municipality has the duty to arrange the funeral if someone dies within the municipal boundaries whose next of kin are unknown or whose next of kin are unable to pay for the funeral. The municipality then becomes the principal of the funeral. The municipality also determines how the funeral will be conducted. The cost of the funeral, if possible, is paid from the deceased's estate. If this is not sufficient, the next of kin in the first degree are called upon to pay the (remaining) amount.

How does it work?

You may not bury or cremate the deceased until at least 36 hours after he or she dies. And no later than 6 business days after the death.

Burial or cremation after 6 working days

Burial or cremation after 6 working days requires permission from the mayor of the municipality and a doctor. For example, you may request permission for religious reasons. Or if relatives from a distant country want to attend the funeral.

Burial or cremation within 36 hours

If you want to bury or cremate the deceased within 36 hours, you need permission from:

• the public prosecutor
• the mayor of the municipality where the body is located

What to do.

Your funeral director requests permission from the municipality and also files a death notification. You do not have to do this yourself. Even if you want to bury or cremate the deceased earlier or request a postponement, your funeral director will arrange this for you.