In Germany, there are specific legal regulations regarding the burial of an urn containing cremation ashes in connection with a tree. These regulations vary by federal state but generally follow the burial laws of each region. Here are the key regulations:
| Federal State (Land) | Regulation on Funeral Urns |
|---|---|
| Baden-Württemberg | Strict – cemetery obligation |
| Bavaria (Bayern) | Strict – cemetery obligation |
| Berlin | Strict – cemetery obligation |
| Brandenburg | Strict – cemetery obligation |
| Bremen | Flexible – Ashes may be scattered on private land (since 2015) |
| Hamburg | Strict – cemetery obligation |
| Hesse (Hessen) | Strict – cemetery obligation |
| Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania | Strict – cemetery obligation |
| Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen) | Strict – cemetery obligation |
| North Rhine-Westphalia | Strict – cemetery obligation |
| Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz) | Flexible – From autumn 2025: urns may be kept at home, ashes may be scattered in nature and rivers (Rhine, Moselle, Lahn, Saar), jewelry/diamonds from ashes allowed |
| Saarland | Strict – cemetery obligation |
| Saxony (Sachsen) | Strict – cemetery obligation |
| Saxony-Anhalt | Strict – cemetery obligation |
| Schleswig-Holstein | Strict – cemetery obligation |
| Thuringia (Thüringen) | Strict – cemetery obligation |
Recommendations
1. Cemetery Obligation (Burial Requirement)
Germany generally has a cemetery obligation (Friedhofszwang), meaning that the ashes of a deceased person may only be buried in a cemetery or an officially approved burial site (e.g., a burial forest such as FriedWald® or RuheForst®).
➡ Exceptions:
- Bremen: under certain conditions, it is permitted to scatter ashes on private property or at a chosen location.
- Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz): starting autumn 2025, the law allows ashes to be scattered in nature or in rivers (Rhine, Moselle, Lahn, Saar). Urns may be kept at home, and memorial jewelry or diamonds from ashes are permitted. Burial without a coffin (e.g., in a shroud) is also allowed.
2. Tree Burial (Burial Forest & Cemetery)
Burying an urn with a tree is only allowed in officially designated burial sites in Germany. These include:
a) Burial Forests
- FriedWald®, RuheForst®, and similar natural cemeteries are legally approved burial sites.
- The urn must be biodegradable.
b) Tree Burials in Cemeteries
- Many cemeteries now offer tree burials in specially designated areas.
- The burial takes place within the cemetery grounds, often in natural surroundings.
3. Urn Requirements & Material Regulations
Only biodegradable urns (e.g., made of wood, cellulose, salt, or sandstone) are usually permitted for tree burials.
The urn should decompose naturally, allowing the ashes to integrate into the ecosystem.
4. Burial on Private Property
Burying an urn with a tree on private property is prohibited in most German states.
Exceptions are rare and require a special permit from authorities, usually granted for historical or family tradition reasons.
- Bremen: under specific conditions, ashes can be scattered on private property, indirectly allowing their use in connection with a tree.
- Rhineland-Palatinate: as of autumn 2025, ashes may be scattered in nature, making private-property tree memorials more realistic.
5. Ash Scattering & “Memory Trees”
- In Bremen, ashes may be freely scattered.
- In Rhineland-Palatinate, scattering in nature and rivers is explicitly legalized.
- In other states (e.g., North Rhine-Westphalia, Hamburg), case-by-case decisions or permits may apply, but the general obligation remains.
Some people use “memory trees,” where ashes are mixed with soil and a tree is planted. This is often legally problematic in Germany unless performed at an approved burial site.
Overview
1. Federal States in Germany Where Urn Burial with a Tree Is Allowed
- Burial Forests (FriedWald®, RuheForst®, and similar) → exist in almost all federal states.
- Examples:
- Baden-Württemberg: FriedWald Schönbuch, RuheForst Heiligenberg
- Bavaria: FriedWald Spessart, RuheForst Coburger Land
- Berlin & Brandenburg: FriedWald Nuthetal, RuheForst Fläming
- Hesse: FriedWald Weilrod, RuheForst Burgwald
- Lower Saxony: FriedWald Südheide, RuheForst Rotenburg
- North Rhine-Westphalia: FriedWald Schloss Dyck, RuheForst Siegen-Wittgenstein
- Saxony: FriedWald Oberlausitz, RuheForst Tharandt
- Thuringia: FriedWald Eisenberg, RuheForst Südharz
➡ Complete lists available at:
Cemeteries with Tree Burial Areas:
- Munich: Waldfriedhof
- Hamburg: Ohlsdorf Cemetery
- Cologne: Nordfriedhof
- Frankfurt: Hauptfriedhof
- Leipzig: Südfriedhof
2. Federal States with More Flexible Burial Rules
- Bremen: free ash scattering since 2015.
- Rhineland-Palatinate: from autumn 2025, urns may be kept at home, ashes may be scattered in nature/rivers, and jewelry/diamonds from ashes are allowed.
- North Rhine-Westphalia & Hamburg: some case-by-case permits, with cemeteries offering natural burial areas.
3. Advisory and Regulatory Authorities
If you are planning an urn burial with a tree, contact:
- Burial & Municipal Offices (local municipality or regulatory office).
- Cemetery & Church Administrations (Evangelical & Catholic).
- State Ministries of the Interior (responsible for funeral laws).
- Consumer Protection Agencies & Funeral Associations such as the German Funeral Association (www.bestatter.de) or www.verbraucherzentrale.de.
✅ Updated Conclusion (September 2025)
Burying an urn with ashes and a tree in Germany is generally only allowed in designated burial sites (cemeteries, FriedWald®, RuheForst®). The urn must be biodegradable.
- Bremen: allows ashes to be scattered on private property (with permission).
- Rhineland-Palatinate: from autumn 2025, a much more flexible law applies – urns may be kept at home, ashes may be scattered in nature or rivers, and memorial jewelry or diamonds are permitted. Burial without a coffin is also possible.
In all other federal states, the Friedhofszwang (cemetery obligation) still applies: burial is limited to cemeteries or approved burial forests.
👉 For exact information, always contact the local burial office, cemetery administration, or the state Ministry of the Interior.
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