Saxony wants to allow further forms of burial

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.

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