Permits for cremation

It is mandatory to bury bodies in a lawful cemetery or cremate them in a recognized crematorium (cremation facility) that has been authorized by the district commissioner.

It is mandatory to respect decisions of a deceased person of legal competence on whether their body shall be buried or cremated.

If the wishes of a deceased person of legal competence are not known, the surviving spouse (cohabiting partner) and descendants (adopted children) of the deceased will decide whether the body should be buried or cremated.

If there is no spouse or descendants, the parents and siblings of the deceased will make the decisions regarding whether the body should be buried or cremated.

If a person was not legally competent at the time of their death, a legal guardian of the deceased will decide whether the body should be cremated.

Before cremation takes place, the crematorium must send a written request to the district commissioner of the district where the deceased had their legal residence.

Before permission for cremation is granted, the death must be reported to the district commissioner, and consultation with the chief of police must take place to ensure there are no objections to the cremation.

The appeal period

Decisions made by the district commissioner can be appealed to the Ministry of Justice within three months of receipt.

Laws and regulations

Law No. 36/1993 on Cemeteries, Burials, and Cremations

Regulation No. 668/2007 on Coffins, Urns, Burials, and Cremations