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Whether you choose burial, cremation, natural burial, or resomation: each type of funeral has its own rules. Not because funeral directors want to be difficult, but because certain materials are dangerous, cause environmental damage, or are simply not permitted by law.
In this article, you will find an overview.
Why are there rules about what can go in?
It comes down to safety and the environment. During a cremation, the wrong material can cause an explosion risk. With burial, the concern is mainly substances that disrupt soil life. And with natural burial, the rules are even stricter because nature takes the lead.
In addition, the Burial and Cremation Act and local regulations prescribe what is and is not allowed. Funeral venues, crematoria, and natural burial sites each have their own supplementary guidelines.
Burial: what should not go in the coffin?
A traditional burial has relatively flexible rules, but there are clear exceptions. Usually, the following is not allowed:
Metal or electronic objects
Think of:
- mobile phones
- laptops, tablets
- electronic cigarettes
- large metal jewelry
- electrical devices (watches with batteries, hearing aids, pacemakers -- these must be removed)
They barely decompose and can leave behind harmful substances.
Batteries and rechargeable cells
Even a small watch with a battery is not allowed. Batteries leak and are harmful to soil and groundwater.
Large amounts of plastic
A small amount of plastic is not immediately a problem, but large pieces of plastic (dolls, toys, artificial decorations) are not permitted. They do not decompose and form microplastics.
Toxic substances or chemicals
Objects containing oil, paint, gasoline, cleaning agents, or other chemical substances are not allowed.
Cremation: stricter rules
With cremation, everything revolves around safety in the furnace. The rules here are considerably stricter than with burial.
No glass
Glass shatters and can cause damage in the furnace.
No batteries or electronics
These can explode when heated. Every crematorium refuses a mobile phone in the coffin.
No metal objects
Large metal objects can cause sparks and damage. They are also difficult to process after cremation.
No hard plastics
Hard plastics release harmful fumes and disrupt the combustion process.
Pacemaker must be removed
A pacemaker poses a danger in the cremation furnace and must be removed before the funeral by a qualified doctor.
Natural burial: the strictest rules
With natural burial, the goal is to let nature do its work completely. That is why the rules here are much more detailed.
All non-naturally biodegradable materials
That means no:
- metals
- glass
- plastic
- rubber
- synthetic clothing (polyester, nylon, acrylic)
Shoes with rubber soles are also not allowed.
Clothing with zippers, buttons, elastic, or plastic
Natural burial sites often require clothing made of 100% natural materials such as cotton, wool, linen, or hemp.
Coffin with lacquer, glue, or fittings
The coffin must be fully biodegradable. Commonly used materials are poplar, willow, or cardboard. No lacquer, no varnish, no metal handles.
Objects that do not decompose
Think of jewelry, watches, glasses, letters with plastic coating, or toys.
Natural burial sites are often very helpful and offer clear checklists if you are unsure.
Resomation: what is not allowed?
Resomation -- sometimes called "water cremation" -- is becoming increasingly well known. In this process, the body dissolves in a warm alkaline solution. The rules are similar to cremation but even stricter, because certain materials do not dissolve and disrupt the process.
No metals
Jewelry, piercings, and metal components in clothing must be removed.
No plastics
Plastic does not dissolve during resomation. The same applies to synthetic clothing.
No batteries, electronics, or chemical substances
The process is sensitive and chemically controlled, so all potentially disruptive materials are not permitted.
No non-biodegradable coffins
With resomation, a soft, dissolvable shroud is often used instead of a traditional coffin.
What is allowed?
The following is generally allowed, depending on the type of funeral:
Burial
- Metal jewelry in limited amounts (may vary per cemetery)
- Natural materials such as wood, cotton, linen
- Personal letters, flowers, drawings
Cremation
- Clothing made of natural materials
- Small personal objects without metal or plastic
- Flowers without plastic ribbons
Natural burial
- Only fully natural materials
- Clothing, coffin, or shroud made of 100% natural material
- Flowers without string, ribbon, or plastic
Resomation
- 100% natural shroud
- Natural textiles
- Small, fully biodegradable items
Why this is important to discuss in advance
It may sound like a detail, but loved ones often only find out on the day of the funeral that certain items are not allowed. That causes stress at exactly the wrong moment.
By knowing in advance what is and is not permitted, you prevent disappointment. It helps your loved ones, it helps the funeral director, and it is better for the environment.
Tip: document your wishes in myGoodbye
In the myGoodbye app, you can specify exactly what you want in your coffin and what you do not. Useful for yourself, but especially for the people who will take care of things later. That way, everyone knows your funeral will go as you intended.
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