Keeping an urn at home
In Belgium, one may keep the urn containing the ashes of a dearly departed person at home. Urns buried in a grave or urn field, or interred in a columbarium, may also be taken home. Below we give you a brief overview of the possibilities and conditions.
The ashes of a deceased loved one
After cremation of a loved one, the law allows the next of kin to receive the ashes from the remains:
- Placing in an urn. This urn can be buried in a cemetery or interred in a columbarium in a cemetery.
- Scattering in the scattering field of a cemetery.
- Scatter at sea or in a river.
Burying, keeping or scattering the ashes in another place
The deceased may also have determined in advance in writing to bury, keep or scatter the ashes in another place. The deceased may have stipulated this in a will, or he/she may have filed a request for this with the municipality while alive.
The next of kin may also choose to bury, keep or scatter the ashes in another place, such as home. In that case, a joint written request is required from:
- The spouse, or those with whom the deceased formed an actual family
- All relatives by blood or by marriage of the first degree (children)
If a minor is involved, a written request is required from the parents or guardian.
Such a written request must be submitted to the municipality before the cremation takes place. This must also include the name, first name and address of the person who will take care of the ashes and the location of the ashes.
Written permission is also required from the owner of a plot if ashes are scattered here unless the plot was owned by the deceased.
Ashes should never be scattered on a public property.
Urns for home preservation
Placing the ashes in an urn and transferring them to the person who will care for the urn at home takes place immediately after cremation.
The crematorium provides a standard ash container free of charge. Upon request, the crematorium can place the ashes in an urn chosen by the next of kin.
Are you looking for a beautiful urn for a loved one? Artemis offers a collection of modern, stylish ceramic urns where you can keep the ashes of a loved one in beauty and peace, at home.
Do you have a question?
Feel free to call us at +32 476 31 75 60, or send us an e-mail. We are ready to listen to your wishes and to work with you to find the appropriate urn.