Saxony wants to allow further forms of burial

Saxony wants to enable new forms of burial (symbolic image) / Photo: Sebastian Kahnert/dpa

Funeral culture has changed

"Our social interaction is subject to constant change, which always goes hand in hand with a change in funeral culture and coping with grief. For years, there has been a trend away from traditional burial and towards cremation, and not just in Saxony," said Social Affairs Minister Petra Köpping (SPD). In addition, expectations of cemetery operators, business and administration have changed.

Existing burial law dates back to 1994

Köpping recalled that Saxony has had an essentially unchanged burial law since 1994. During this time, the funeral culture has changed - towards more natural, liberal, individual and cost-effective forms of burial. "We provide relief for parents who suffer a miscarriage or stillbirth. We have simplified procedures that speed up burials."

In future, parents will have a choice in the case of miscarriages or stillbirths. The so-called "star children" will only have to be buried individually if they weigh 1,000 grams or more. If parents decide against this, the facility where the stillborn child was delivered must carry out the burial. This can also be done anonymously. In future, the facilities should provide more information about this freedom of choice. Previously, there was no obligation to do so.

Cemetery obligation remains in place - but new forms of burial

The cemetery obligation remains in place, but new forms of burial are permitted. These include the possibility of scattering ashes in specially designated cemetery areas or burial in a tree in the root zone of a cemetery or in a burial forest. It should also be possible to grow living trees, where the ashes are mixed with soil and the trees are then planted in the cemetery.

Ashes can be turned into private mementos

It should also be possible to have parts of the ashes turned into private mementos at the express wish of the deceased. The ashes should not be divided against or without the wishes of the deceased.

The principle of the repose of the dead continues to apply - even for urns. However, the reburial of urns should be easier. Previously, reburial was dependent on the individual cemetery operator and was not always permitted, for example, when a widow moved to another town with reference to the peace of the dead. The coffin requirement remains in place. The exception here is burial in a shroud, which is common in Muslim countries.

Digitalization is also being taken into account. In future, it will be possible to issue and transmit death certificates electronically. This should make burials even quicker. Minister Köpping said that she was confident that the revised draft would be future-proof and strike a good balance between tradition and innovation.

Saxony wants to allow further forms of burial

Funeral culture has changed

More from this category

25 cannabis cultivation clubs approved in Saxony

Quota for dentists in rural areas - applications still possible

Study: Many young people see a bleak future for Germany

After doping case: triathlete Schulz wins Paralympics silver medal

Study: 57 percent of women in Saxony plan to have children

Existing burial law dates back to 1994

Cemetery obligation remains in place - but new forms of burial

Ashes can be turned into private mementos

Topics :

Sachsen News

Social Media