End of cemetery concession: renewal or decommissioning?
Introduction
A burial concession is not eternal. In Switzerland, it is granted for a limited period, generally between 20 and 30 years depending on the municipality. When this period expires, families receive an official letter that raises important practical and emotional questions.
Cemetery concession renewal is a decision that commits the family for several additional decades. It involves variable costs depending on the municipality and requires collective consideration. Some families choose to extend the burial to maintain a physical place of remembrance. Others prefer not to renew, whether for financial, geographical or personal reasons.
Faced with this deadline, you have several options. You can renew the concession for a new period, let the municipality reclaim the grave and recover the memorial, or even consider exhumation followed by cremation. Each choice has its administrative and financial implications.
This guide explains concretely what happens at the end of a concession, how renewal works, what the grave concession prices are according to regions, and what grave decommissioning entails. Practical information to make an informed decision whilst respecting the memory of the deceased.
📌 Summary (TL;DR)
A burial concession in Switzerland lasts between 20 and 30 years. At its end, you can renew the concession for variable fees depending on municipalities (generally between 500 and 3,000 CHF), not renew and let the municipality reclaim the grave, or opt for exhumation followed by cremation.
The municipality informs you several months before expiry. In case of non-renewal, you can recover the memorial before the final decommissioning of the grave.
📚 Table of contents
What is a burial concession?
A burial concession is a temporary right of use of a location in the cemetery. Contrary to what many think, you do not purchase the land: you rent a space for a determined period.
The municipality grants this right in exchange for payment of a fee. At expiry, the family must decide whether or not to renew.
There are three main types:
- Individual concession: for one person
- Double concession: for two people (often a couple)
- Family concession: for several members of the same family
Each type has its own fees and renewal conditions.
Standard duration of a concession in Switzerland
In Switzerland, the most common durations are 20, 25 or 30 years. Each municipality sets its own rules and fees.
Some concrete examples:
- Geneva: 15, 20 or 30 years depending on type
- Lausanne: 20 or 30 years
- Zurich: 25 years generally
- Bern: 20 to 30 years
Some municipalities impose a minimum legal duration (often 15 or 20 years). The family can then choose a longer duration at initial purchase.
Enquire with your municipality's cemetery service to find out the exact options.
How are you informed of the end of concession?
The municipality generally informs you by registered letter, between 6 and 12 months before the concession expires.
This letter specifies the expiry date, the available options (renewal or decommissioning) and the deadline for responding, often 3 to 6 months.
Important advice: keep your contact details up to date with the cemetery service. If you move, inform them quickly so you do not miss this notification.
You have not received a letter even though the deadline is approaching? Contact the cemetery directly. Do not let the deadline pass: after expiry without response, the municipality can reclaim the location.
Option 1: Renew the concession
Cemetery concession renewal allows you to extend the right of use of the location for a new period.
To renew, you must make a written request to your municipality's cemetery service, ideally several months before expiry.
Who can request renewal?
- The beneficiaries designated in the initial contract
- Direct descendants (children, grandchildren)
- Sometimes other family members according to municipal regulations
Respect the deadlines: some municipalities no longer accept requests after the expiry date. Anticipate to avoid any administrative complications.
Renewal fees according to municipalities
The grave concession renewal price varies considerably according to municipalities and type of location.
Indicative ranges for major cities:
- Geneva: CHF 2,000 to 4,000
- Lausanne: CHF 1,500 to 3,500
- Zurich: CHF 2,500 to 5,000
- Bern: CHF 1,800 to 3,800
Several factors influence the price:
- Type of concession (individual, double, family)
- Duration chosen (10, 15, 20 or 25 years)
- Location within the cemetery
Fees are set by municipal decree and may change. Consult your municipality's website for updated amounts.
Renewal duration
When renewing, you can generally choose a new period of 10, 15, 20 or 25 years according to the options offered by your municipality.
The duration is not necessarily identical to the initial concession. You can opt for a shorter period if you wish.
Successive renewals:
- Some municipalities allow renewal several times without limitation
- Others limit the number of possible renewals
- A few municipalities authorise early renewal (before expiry) in particular cases
Enquire about your municipality's specific rules to plan for the long term.
Option 2: Not renew the concession
Choosing not to renew a concession is a personal decision and perfectly legitimate. The reasons are multiple:
- Geographical distance of the family
- Dispersion of relatives abroad
- Renewal cost too high
- Evolution of funeral practices and beliefs
- Absence of descendants to maintain the grave
This decision in no way diminishes the respect shown to the deceased. Times change, families evolve, and ways of honouring memory transform.
It is important to understand the concrete consequences of this choice to make an informed decision.
What happens to the grave in case of non-renewal?
Without renewal, the municipality proceeds with grave decommissioning and reclaims the location.
The process follows strict rules to guarantee dignity:
Exhumation of remains: after the legal conservation period (generally 20 to 30 years), the bones are exhumed with respect. They are then transferred to the municipal charnel house (ossuary), a dedicated place maintained by the municipality.
This process is governed by cantonal and municipal legislation. It takes place with discretion and the respect due to the deceased.
The freed location can then be reassigned to another family for a new concession.
Recovery of the memorial
Before the location is reclaimed, you have the right to recover the memorial: headstone, stele, decorative elements.
The municipality generally sets a deadline (3 to 6 months after notification) to organise this recovery.
Steps to follow:
- Make a written request to the cemetery service
- Use a monumental mason for professional dismantling
- Organise transport and storage or reinstallation elsewhere
If you do not recover the memorial within the deadline, the municipality may destroy or recycle it according to its procedures.
Some families choose to reuse the stone in a private memorial garden.
Option 3: Choose cremation and scatter the ashes
For families who plan ahead, cremation offers an alternative to traditional concession.
Even if burial took place initially, it is possible to request exhumation for cremation at the end of concession. This option avoids renewal fees.
Alternatives after cremation:
- Scattering of ashes in an authorised location
- Placement in the garden of remembrance (often free)
- Keeping the urn at home
- Scattering in nature (according to cantonal regulations)
These options generally have lower costs than renewing a concession. They are particularly suitable for geographically dispersed families.
Frequent practical questions
Can a family concession be partially renewed?
Some municipalities allow it, others require complete renewal. Enquire locally.
What to do if the beneficiaries do not agree?
In case of family disagreement, consult the cemetery service. In some cases, mediation or a judicial decision may be necessary.
Can a concession be transferred?
Yes, generally to direct descendants. The transfer requires administrative procedures with the municipality.
What to do if you cannot pay for renewal?
Some municipalities offer payment facilities. Social assistance sometimes exists. Contact your municipality's social service.
How long before expiry should you decide?
Ideally 6 to 12 months before to have time to reflect and organise the procedures calmly.
Honouring memory beyond the cemetery
The end of a concession does not erase the memory of a loved one. Memory lives in hearts and can take other forms.
Online memorial pages offer a modern and lasting alternative. They allow you to:
- Share photos and anecdotes with the whole family
- Create a space for remembrance accessible 24/7
- Allow geographically dispersed relatives to come together
- Pass on family history to future generations
On Funere, you can create a Memories page to perpetuate the memory of your loved ones. These digital spaces complement or replace the physical grave, according to your needs.
A place of memory does not need to be in stone to be lasting and meaningful.
The end of a burial concession represents a delicate moment that requires a considered decision. You have several options: renew the concession to maintain the burial, let the municipality proceed with decommissioning, or opt for cremation and scattering of ashes. Each choice depends on your personal wishes, your family situation and your budget.
Fees and durations vary considerably from one municipality to another in Switzerland. Enquire with your municipal administration as soon as you receive the end of concession notice to find out your precise options and the deadlines to respect.
Beyond the physical burial, honouring the memory of a loved one can take other forms. On funere.com, you can create a digital memorial space accessible to all, share photos and memories, and allow your loved ones to remember wherever they are. A modern and lasting way to preserve the memory of those who have left us.
