Arranging the funeral

Burial or cremation

Both are possible in Luxembourg. Cremation requires a specific authorisation and a little more time. If the deceased left written wishes, those prevail; otherwise the close family decides.

• The national crematorium is in Hamm, in Luxembourg City.
• Ashes may be buried, placed in a columbarium, or scattered in a designated area.

The grave concession

Cemeteries are communal. Each commune sets its own fees, concession durations and renewal rules. An existing family grave can often be reopened.

• Residents of the commune generally pay less.
• Note the expiry date of the concession: without renewal the grave can be reallocated.

What it costs

A funeral in Luxembourg commonly runs to several thousand euros, depending on the ceremony, the coffin, the concession and the memorial. Differences between providers are real: get at least two detailed written quotes.

• Ask for compulsory services and optional extras to be shown separately on the quote.
• The memorial stone is often billed separately, several months later.

Who pays, and with what

Funeral costs are a debt of the estate. In practice the bank usually allows them to be settled from the deceased's frozen account on presentation of the invoice.

• The CNS pays a flat-rate funeral allowance: apply for it, it is not automatic.
• A prepaid funeral contract or death cover taken out during the person's lifetime sometimes covers all or part.
• Whoever advances the costs should keep the invoices: the estate reimburses them.

A death abroad, or repatriation of the deceased to their country of origin, requires additional formalities (mortuary pass, translations, consulate). Specialist funeral directors handle this type of case.