Cemetery Fees: How Much Does a Grave Cost

Cemetery fees are a significant expense in funeral planning. Thus, it's essential to be informed about potential costs beforehand in order to choose the right grave.

We are in daily contact with cemetery administrations and have compiled a database of cemetery fees, cemetery regulations, and application documents over time.
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The death of a loved one is an emotional and challenging time, during which you usually don't want to deal with finances and official regulations. However, organizing a funeral can sometimes involve significant costs for purchasing a gravesite and associated cemetery fees. To avoid any unpleasant surprises when choosing a gravesite, we will explain in the following text how the cemetery costs are composed and what you should consider when purchasing a gravesite. 

How Cemetery Fees Are Composed

Cemetery fees for a burial are comprised of two main components: the cost of the gravesite itself and the so-called burial service fees. The cost of the gravesite is determined by the respective municipality and depends on the type of gravesite you choose. The burial service fees cover the opening of the gravesite, the preparation of the grave for the burial, and the subsequent closing of the grave. Additionally, there may be further costs for the use of the cooling room or the funeral hall, as well as for the pallbearers for the urn or casket.

Usage Rights Instead of Gravesite Purchase

Although it is often referred to as purchasing a gravesite, this is a misleading term because a gravesite cannot typically be purchased outright. Rather, you acquire a usage right, which is limited to a certain period and is comparable to a rental or lease agreement. If you or your descendants wish to continue using the gravesite after the end of the usage period, you must renew the gravesite usage and pay the respective fees again. This is, however, only possible with a chosen gravesite. Single graves cannot be extended after the usage period expires.

Duration of Gravesite Usage Rights

The period for using a gravesite is set by the respective cemetery office and is governed by the burial regulations of the respective states. Local conditions, such as the nature of the soil, also affect the duration of the usage rights. The duration is primarily aimed at ensuring an appropriate period of rest for the deceased. Especially for ground burials, it's essential to ensure the complete decomposition of the body before reusing the gravesite. This period is also known as the rest period. For urn graves, the rest period usually ranges between 10 and 20 years, while for a ground burial, it ranges between 20 and 30 years in most states.

Difference Between Single and Chosen Gravesites

The duration of the usage rights also depends on whether the gravesite is a single or chosen one. Chosen gravesites are those where you can choose the location within the cemetery. These gravesites can be extended beyond the rest period and can remain in a family's possession for multiple decades. Thus, the usage right is frequently granted for longer than the rest period. On the other hand, single gravesites are allocated by the cemetery administration 'in sequence'. The usage period cannot be extended and is usually the same length as the mandatory rest period. Consequently, obtaining a single gravesite is generally less expensive than acquiring a chosen gravesite on most cemeteries.

Grave Costs for Different Types of Graves

As previously mentioned, grave costs can vary significantly depending on the region. Cemeteries in rural areas and church-owned cemeteries tend to be more affordable than those in urban areas and densely populated regions. We always recommend checking with the cemetery administration in advance. Often, the fee schedule can also be viewed online. To give you a rough idea of the expenses, we provide a general overview sorted by grave type below.

Cemetery Fees for Urn Graves

Urn graves in a row arrangement are the most economical option. You can obtain the right to use such a grave starting from around 450 Euros, with the maximum cost up to 1600 Euros. Urn graves purchased as choice graves are a bit pricier, starting at approximately 600 Euros. In densely populated cities like Hamburg or Cologne, an urn choice grave can cost up to 2500 Euros.

If you opt for an urn burial, some cemeteries also offer the possibility of placing the urn in a columbarium, or urn wall. This type of burial is gaining popularity as there is no maintenance required. Accordingly, the usage fees are slightly higher compared to ground urn graves, ranging roughly between 1000 and 3000 Euros.

Cemetery Fees for Ground Graves

Ground graves in a row arrangement are always single plots, meaning that a maximum of two individuals can be buried one above the other. The cheapest ground row grave starts at around 800 Euros, with prices reaching up to 2500 Euros. A choice ground grave can be purchased as a single or double plot. The cost for a single plot starts at approximately 1000 Euros, while a double plot can cost up to 3500 Euros.

Cemetery Fees for Tree Graves

More and more cemeteries now offer urn burials under trees. Such a plot costs approximately between 700 and 2500 Euros. 

Burial Fees

In addition to the costs for the right to use a grave, there are also the respective burial fees. These start at a minimum of 200 Euros for an urn grave and can reach up to 2500 Euros for a choice ground grave.

Who Pays for Cemetery Fees?

In Germany, the heirs of the deceased are legally obligated to cover the funeral costs. The deceased's estate can be used for this purpose. However, if the funeral costs exceed the estate's value, the heirs must pay the difference out of pocket.

How Are Cemetery Fees Paid?

The costs for obtaining grave rights and burial fees are usually charged as a lump sum by most offices. Many municipalities send the fee notices several weeks after the burial, giving you time to arrange your finances. If you are unable to pay the invoice in a single payment, it is worthwhile to contact the cemetery office. Many communities are cooperative and may extend the payment deadline or offer a payment plan.

Costs for Alternative Burial Methods

More and more people are choosing burials outside of traditional cemeteries, such as in a forest or at sea. Nowadays, there are many private providers that offer these alternative burial methods. It's best to consult with your funeral director to determine which option is right for you.

Costs for Forest Burials

The price for a tree grave in a forest depends on the location and size of the tree. Affordable plots start from around 600 Euros, and the rest period is significantly longer than that of a normal cemetery. A plot in an alternative forest cemetery can be used for up to 99 years. In addition to the plot price, there are also burial costs and potential additional services, bringing the total cost to at least 1000 Euros for a forest burial.

Costs for Sea Burials

Sea burials are somewhat more expensive than forest burials due to the greater effort involved. While there is no grave plot to purchase, the cost of sending out the ship and the crew are additional expenses. Therefore, you should expect costs between approximately 1000 and 3000 Euros for a sea burial.