Table of Contents
How long are Graves kept in Germany?
Under German law, families lease grave sites for a specific period of time, usually from 15 to 30 years. And, if a family is unable or unavailable to renew the lease, the grave’s contents are removed and the grave site reverts to state ownership and may be reused, German cemetery officials said.
How do I find someone’s grave site?
Find a Grave
- Go to www.Findagrave.com.
- Enter the first name (if known) and the last name of your ancestor. The last name is required.
- Enter any additional information, if known, such as year of birth and the place your ancestor may be buried. If you don’t know this information, simply leave the field blank.
How do I find a specific grave in a cemetery?
How to Find a Marked Grave in a Cemetery
- Collect information about the deceased.
- Check online resources.
- Contact the county or funeral homes.
- Visit the cemetery.
- Find the grave.
- Complete steps 1-3 above.
- Location the burial place.
- Visit the grave or location.
What happens to old graves in Germany?
According to German burial law, the remains must be buried in a cemetery or a specially designated area. Many funeral homes also offer burials in nature, but these often then take place in other countries. Cremated remains in urns can be buried in forests, or the ashes can be scattered at sea.
Are graves reused in Germany?
When bodies don’t decompose, their graves can’t be reused — a common practice in Germany. Contrary to many other countries, where final resting places are traditionally maintained in perpetuity, Germany recycles cemetery plots after a period of 15 to 25 years.
What is cemetery mapping?
Cemetery mapping is essential; for visitors, it allows easy access to the graves or memorials they are seeking, and for the cemetery or crematory it provides a clear list of their inventory (used and available) and helps manage operations.
Is there a find a grave Index in Germany?
About Germany, Find a Grave Index, 1600s-Current This database contains an index to cemetery and burial details posted on Find a Grave. Find a Grave provides users a virtual cemetery experience, with images of grave markers from around the world, as well as photos, biographies, and other details uploaded by volunteers.
Why are there so few cemeteries in Germany?
Here in Germany cemeteries are relatively small, especially compared to every other European country and the U.S. One reason is that most Germans are cremated but another cause is the fact that in Germany, grave sites are recycled. You’re probably wondering, “How’s that work?”. Graves are leased in Germany,…
Are there any old tombstones in Germany?
Most older German graves have been replaced with recently deceased persons and new tombstones. However, copies of some old tombstone inscriptions are available, especially for private or church cemeteries and crypts.
Where can I find a German military grave?
They are most frequently found under the name of the town. These are listed in the Place Search of the catalog under: The German Military Grave Registration Service. Maintains 2 million war graves in over 640 cemeteries. Assists in grave identification and restoration.