In Belgium there are currently two options when providing the body of a deceased person with a final resting place. The body can be buried or cremated. But does a body have to be put into a coffin? Wouldn’t it be better and cheaper to wrap it in cloth or plastic? What about the ashes of a deceased loved one? Could you scatter them at place that was dear to them?
Can I be buried with my dog and does a deceased person have to be placed in a coffin?
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At the start of the month on All Saints' Day VRT Radio 2’s consumer team received many questions concerning the rules regarding burials and cremations. The team examined the rules concerning both. The following article is a summery of the consumer team’s findings.
If someone is cremated their ashes can be scattered either at a specially designated areas at the crematorium or cemetery, on a private land if agreement is given by the landowner or at sea within Belgian territorial waters. If a person is buried, they may only be buried at an official cemetery. Burying a body in nature without a coffin, known as "humusation", currently not permitted in Belgium.
Can my ashes be strewn in my own garden or in the grounds of my favorite tennis club?
The law states that the ashes may be scattered at designated areas at cemeteries or crematoria. The ashes may also be scattered on private property (for example in the deceased’s garden). If the final resting place of choice is not owned by the deceased or their surviving relatives written permission is required from the owner of the land where the ashes are to be scattered.
Can my ashes be scattered at sea?
You can also choose to give your loved one a final resting place at sea. Although the scattering of ashes is not allowed in the Belgian sector of the North Sea, an urn containing the deceased’s ashes can be lowered into the sea. A water urn is used for this purpose. "This is a special urn in which the ashes of the loved one are gradually released into the water," John Dexter of the Undertakers’ Association Funebra told the VRT. Several urns are lowered into the water during the same trip.
"The urns are respectfully lowered one by one at different locations at sea with an individual moment of reflection for each family. A maximum of 10 people per family are allowed to come out with us on the boat."
In some cases, no relatives sail out to sea with the urn. "In that case, the ashes are lowered silently, and the captain says a final goodbye. Photos of the urn being lowered into the sea are sent to the family afterwards together with a certificate," says Mr Dexter said.
Taking a boat out on your own initiative to lower an urn into the sea is not permitted. "We always have to inform the municipal authority about where exactly we intend to sink the urn. The scattering of ashes at sea is only permitted off Nieuwpoort, Ostend and Blankenberge. All boats carrying deceased people’s ashes are obliged to sail under the Belgian flag," Marysia Kluppels of funeral director Dela told the VRT.
In addition to lowering the ashes into the North Sea families can also say goodbye to their loved ones from the quayside at the River Scheldt in Antwerp. There "You can lower the ashes in a biodegradable urn into the Scheldt or you can scatter the ashes from a boat."
If you wish to deposit your loved one’s ashes into the Scheldt, you must first request permission from the Antwerp city authorities.
Why do I have to be cremated at a crematorium?
In some cultures, people cremate the body of their loved one themselves. However, this is not allowed in Belgium. But why do you always have to go to a crematorium for a cremation?
"Lawmakers have determined that a cremation must always be controlled by a government agency. That is why only a government employee, for example a representative of the municipality, may cremate a body and operate the cremation oven. In practice, a cremation always takes place at a crematorium, which must adhere to strict rules," Dela says.
Can I make a coffin myself?
This is allowed, however a coffin used for a burial must meet certain criteria. "For example, a coffin must be made of natural, biodegradable material. The inner lining must also consist of natural and degradable substances," Pieterjan Rynwalt of the Flemish Department of the Interior told the VRT.
Mr Rynwalt added that “The lacquer and glue must also be biodegradable. And the handles must be made of perishable material.”
A coffin intended for cremation must also meet a number of conditions. “For example, the varnish, lacquers and paint must be low-smoke and flammable.”
Can I make an urn for a loved one myself?
Normally, the crematorium provides the urn itself, but you can also bring or make your own urn if you wish. However, it must meet a number of conditions. "For example, the urn must be able to be hermetically sealed," Funebra told the VRT.
If the ashes need to be scattered straight away, the ashes from the urn are put straight into in a scattering urn. "The scattering urn must be able to be sealed while it is transferred to where the ashes are to be scattered if this is not at the crematorium," Funebra explains.
Is a coffin mandatory? Can I bury my loved one’s body wrapped in a cloth?
Is it mandatory to be cremated or buried in a coffin? No, "In addition to a coffin, you can also choose to place the remains of your loved one in a shroud, such as a cloth. Just like a coffin, this casing must also be made of natural materials. It must also meet a number of technical standards. The moisture permeability, strength and degradability of the material used must be able to be guaranteed.", Mr Rynwalt said.
A coffin has no longer been mandatory since 2003. "But it is still very common. It is part of our culture. As a result, it is not often that you see a funeral without a coffin. By also accepting a shroud as a body covering, the religious beliefs of everyone in our society are taken into account,” Dela said. A bottom board is also used to transport a body wrapped in a shroud. "The plank is buried or cremated and must therefore meet the same criteria", Mr Rynwalt added.
Can I be cremated or buried together with my pet?
This is not allowed as the law states that animals cannot be cremated in a crematorium intended for the cremation of humans. Humans are also not allowed to be cremated in a crematorium used for the cremation of animals.
The burial of human and animal ashes together is something of a gray area, Dela says. "The law states that the natural and normal decomposition of the body may not be prevented. The law is therefore not completely clear on this issue. In practice, this sometimes happens and a stuffed animal or an urn with cremated remains of a pet are put into the coffin with the deceased.” In Wallonia lawmakers have passed legislation making it possible for a person to be buried together with the ashes of their pet."