A burial or laying of ashes can only be performed with the written authorisation of the civil registrar of the commune where the death occurred.

Who is concerned

Anyone who has lost someone close to them.

Deadlines

The burial of a human body must take place between the 24th and the 72nd hour following the death. Further to a substantiated request, this time limit may be extended beyond the 72nd hour on production of a certificate issued by the medical examiner. This also applies for human remains that will be cremated. They may not be removed for cremation before the 24th hour, but must be removed before the 72nd hour.

How to proceed

Several scenarios are possible:

• if the death has occurred in the commune where the deceased will be buried, or where their ashes will be laid, the authorisation may be applied for when filing the declaration of death;
• if the death has occurred in a commune other than where the deceased will be buried, or where their ashes will be laid, the authorisation is issued by the civil registrar for the place where the death occurred. For the authorisation to be granted, the applicant will need to produce the transportation permit required to transport the deceased to the place of burial or cremation, or for the laying of their ashes;
• if the death has occurred abroad, the authorisation is issued based on the official information provided to the civil registrar of the commune of registration, provided the registrar deems such information sufficient.

The cremation of a deceased person in Luxembourg can only take place with the authorisation of the civil registrar for the district in which the death occurred. For the authorisation to be granted, the following documents will need to be produced:

• a document which expresses the desire of the deceased to be cremated, or based on a declaration of the family member closest to the deceased;
• a medical certificate attesting that there was no sign or indication of a violent death;
• a pacemaker certificate (for the crematorium).

Any queries concerning the purchase of a grave, civil or religious burials, the burial of a coffin, the storage of an urn or the scattering of ashes should be addressed to the competent department of the communal administration where the burial will take place.

Who to contact