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Cremation is the most common type of burial in Hesse. The deceased is cremated with the coffin either before or after the funeral service. The urn is then buried at a later date.

If the deceased expressly requested cremation, this wish must be complied with; if the deceased refused cremation, cremation is not permitted.

Note:

A corresponding handwritten disposition can simply read as follows:

"I, (first name and surname), wish to be cremated after my death.

Place, date, signature."

If the deceased person's wishes regarding the type of burial are not known, the responsible relatives must determine this. The deceased's wishes should also be followed with regard to the place, type and conduct of the funeral, provided this does not conflict with statutory provisions or overriding public interests. If the will of the deceased cannot be determined, the relatives responsible for the funeral will also decide on this.
For deceased persons without surviving relatives, the municipality will arrange a local burial.

Tip: Most of the formalities, including a reverent consultation, are usually carried out by the commissioned funeral home.

Before the cremation of the deceased can take place, the following documents must be available:

• corpse certificate
• Official death certificate or certificate of restitution of the notarization
• Certificate of the second post-mortem examination

Note: If there are indications of a non-natural death or if the body is that of an unknown person, written authorization from the responsible public prosecutor's office is required instead of the certificate of the second post-mortem examination.

Special requirements

• Last will and testament of the deceased for cremation or corresponding disposition of the responsible relative

• A fee of between 12.00 and 48.00 euros is charged for checking the permissibility of a cremation.
• A fee of between €25.00 and €36.00 is charged for carrying out the second post-mortem examination and issuing the certificate for cremation.

General:

Once the death has been confirmed by a doctor, he/she hands over the death certificate to the next of kin with custody. It must be submitted to the relevant registry office, which will then issue the death certificate.

In addition

a second post-mortem examination must also be arranged by the relatives themselves or the mortician (see Overview - Who do I need to contact?).

The cremation and burial of the urn must be discussed with the crematorium and the responsible cemetery administration by the relatives who have a duty of care or the commissioned funeral director.

Legal obligations to be observed

The ashes of each corpse must be placed in an officially sealed container (urn). It is not permitted to remove parts of the ashes in order to store them in another container (e.g. so-called "mini urn") or to process them further. The urn must be placed in an urn hall, an urn grove, an urn wall, an urn grave or in a grave. The only legally permitted exception to this obligation is burial at sea. In the case of burial in coastal waters, the law of the coastal states must be observed; in the case of burial on the high seas, the legal provisions applicable there must be observed.

Cremation may be carried out no earlier than 48 hours after the death and no later than 96 hours after the death. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays may not be counted when calculating the time limit.

• To a doctor to carry out the post-mortem examination.
• To the competent registry office for issuing the death certificate.
• For the second post-mortem examination, to a doctor from the health authority responsible for the place of death or the place of cremation or a doctor who has successfully completed a course of further education and training which imparts the knowledge required for the forensic post-mortem examination or to the crematorium.
• To the crematorium for cremation
• To the cemetery administration for the burial of the urn.
• For the transfer from the place of death to the cemetery/crematorium to a funeral home.