Urn Burial: Process, Duration, and Costs

Urn burials are becoming increasingly common here. More than two-thirds of people in Germany opt for cremation, with many choosing subsequent urn interment in existing (family) graves.

We aim to give you an understanding of what to expect during an urn burial.

What Exactly is an Urn Burial?

In an urn burial, the deceased is first cremated in a crematorium. After the cremation, the ashes are placed in a container which is then handed over to the respective funeral director or cemetery. The capsule is then placed in a larger vessel, the urn, where the burial takes place.

Interment can occur in an existing grave, an urn grave, or a columbarium.

How Does an Urn Burial Proceed?

The process of an urn burial consists of several phases.

1. Planning and Preparation for the Urn Burial

The first step is planning and preparing the burial. The timeframe for an urn burial after death depends on the regulations of each federal state. The period varies between 10 and 25 days after death, determined by the cremation date at a given crematorium. During this time, the bereaved can consider how they want the funeral ceremony to be conducted.

2. Bringing the Urn to the Gravesite

Before the urn is buried, the bereaved usually gather for a funeral service. During the service, speeches, addresses, and music are used to commemorate the departed together before the urn is taken to the gravesite. Who carries the urn to the grave is a personal decision. Typically, cemetery staff or funeral directors handle this task. However, if requested by a loved one, they can undertake the responsibility.

Attire for an urn burial, as with any funeral service, should be tasteful, simple, and dark. What to bring to an urn burial should align with the wishes of the departed. Common items include flowers or small arrangements with mourning ribbons.

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3. The Interment of the Urn

At the burial site, the urn is finally interred. Typically, a few words of remembrance or comfort are shared with the family, often including personal anecdotes about the deceased.

Alternatively, an urn interment can take place without a funeral service. This allows you to say goodbye to the deceased in quiet. You say your farewells in a small, private gathering around the displayed urn and then accompany the urn bearer to the grave. There, the urn is interred in a quiet ceremony.

How Long Does an Urn Interment Take?

Generally, an urn interment takes between half an hour and an hour and a half, depending on the number of speakers or musical tributes included in the service.

Grave Decorations and Flowers for an Urn Interment

For urn interment, single cut flowers or small bouquets or arrangements are appropriate. Since the gravesite has less space than a traditional burial plot, it is advisable to opt for a handheld bouquet rather than a large arrangement.

If you have never or rarely attended an urn interment, you might wonder how to correctly place the flowers. Generally, the floral arrangements are set around the urn by the florist, ensuring the urn is well integrated. During the eulogy, small bouquets or vases can be placed around the urn. After the ceremony, flowers can be placed directly into the grave or laid upon the gravesite.

What Types of Urn Interments Are There?

Unlike a traditional burial, which necessitates a cemetery, there are several options for urn interment. This allows you to honor the deceased in a more individualized manner.

1.   Columbarium: A columbarium is an above-ground structure with individual niches for holding urns. Historically, the term referred to a dovecote, and the structure often retains a similar appearance. The urn is placed in its own niche, where a plaque with an inscription can be added.

2.   Sea Burial: In a sea burial, the urn is interred at sea. This type of burial is possible in both the North and Baltic Seas and must be arranged through a licensed funeral director or shipping company. The exact coordinates of the burial are recorded in the ship’s logbook.

3.   Tree Burial: In a tree burial, the urn is interred beneath a tree. In Germany, this is only allowed in designated woodland cemeteries and can be anonymous—only a number on the tree marks the grave—or with a memorial plaque on the tree.

4.   Aerial Burial: While not permitted in Germany, it is allowed to transfer an urn to Switzerland or France where aerial burials are legal. The ashes are then dispersed from an aircraft or weather balloon from great heights.

5.   Rock Burial: While rock burials are not allowed in Germany, they are relatively common in Switzerland. The ashes of the deceased are scattered in an alpine rock area. Floral decorations or memorial plaques are not customary.

What is the Cost of an Urn Interment?

The cost of an urn interment starts at approximately 2,000 Euros. It is significantly less expensive than a traditional burial. Choosing a sea or tree burial can also save on ongoing grave maintenance costs.

Frequently Asked Questions About Urn Interment

We would like to address some frequently asked questions on the subject.

Conclusion

Cremation urn burials are a very contemporary and increasingly common form of burial. If you can imagine or wish for this type of interment, it is best to express your preference in writing. This will relieve your loved ones of a significant burden and responsibility.