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Order natural burial
Ashes of deceased persons can be buried in cemeteries that provide for natural burial in the immediate vicinity of a tree, in its root area or in a designated area (lawn, meadow). The shape and exterior of a grave are not recognisable in this case.
Cemetery providers may set aside suitable areas as cemeteries for natural burials. These areas are usually separate from normal gravesites in a community cemetery or in a designated woodland plot.
Which rituals accompany the burial is largely left to the wishes of the deceased and their relatives. Christian burials are just as common as burials without spiritual guidance.
A name plaque on the tree or on the lawn or meadow draws attention to the gravesite. If desired, this name plate can also be dispensed with. Grave maintenance is usually taken care of by the municipal cemetery office or, in the case of burials in the forest, by nature. Flower plantings and classic grave decorations are not possible on these graves.
Details
Prerequisite
The deceased person was cremated.
Procedure
Contact the cemetery provider of your choice.
Deadlines
The usual deadlines for reporting and certifying a death and for collecting the deceased person apply.
Required documents
- Death certificate
- Death certificate
- Medical certificate that the examination of the deceased person did not reveal any indications of a non-natural death (second post-mortem examination as a prerequisite for cremation)
Costs
In addition to the usual costs for a death, there are costs for the gravesite and, in the case of a forest burial, costs for the purchase of a tree (also pro rata).
Legal basis
Bestattungsgesetz (BestattG):
- § 32 Bestattungsart
- § 35 Zulässigkeit der Feuerbestattung
Bestattungsverordnung (BestattVO):
- § 5 Urnenfriedhöfe
- § 16 Erlaubnis zur Feuerbestattung
- § 24 Urnenbeschaffenheit
- § 26 Urnenbestattung auf Friedhöfen
Release note
machine generated, based on the German release by: Ministerium für Soziales, Gesundheit und Integration Baden-Württemberg, 22.05.2025
