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Whether you choose burial, cremation, natural burial or donating your body to science, each option comes with its own rules and requirements. These relate to safety, environmental considerations and the practical arrangements involved in a farewell.
You may wish to include a personal letter, a piece of jewellery or another meaningful item. What is possible depends on your chosen arrangements and the requirements of the location.
In this article, you'll learn which materials and personal belongings you can include, which restrictions apply and what you can arrange in advance.
Why are there rules about what you can include?
The rules concerning personal belongings mainly relate to safety and environmental protection. During cremation, certain materials can damage the cremation equipment. With burial, some substances may affect the soil. Natural burial grounds have additional requirements to protect the surrounding environment.
In the Netherlands, the Burial and Cremation Act (Wet op de lijkbezorging) provides an important legal framework for funeral arrangements. Cemeteries, crematoria and natural burial grounds also have their own requirements.
These requirements may vary between locations. It's therefore helpful to check which materials and personal belongings are permitted in advance.
Burial: what can you place in the coffin?
Traditional burial often allows room for personal belongings. You may wish to include a letter, a photograph or a small item with personal meaning.
However, restrictions apply to materials that may harm the soil or the environment.
Which materials are generally not permitted?
Burial grounds commonly restrict the following materials and items:
- Electronic devices:
mobile phones, tablets, laptops and other electronic items contain components that break down slowly and may leave harmful substances behind. - Batteries:
batteries may contain substances that are harmful to soil and groundwater. This also applies to small devices with built-in batteries. - Large metal objects:
metal breaks down very slowly. Depending on the cemetery, restrictions may apply to large metal items and certain jewellery. - Plastics:
plastic toys, decorations and other synthetic items break down slowly and may contribute to microplastic pollution. - Harmful substances:
items containing oil, paint, fuel, cleaning products or other chemicals are generally not permitted.
The exact requirements vary between cemeteries. Small personal belongings may sometimes be allowed, depending on their materials and the local regulations.
What can you usually include?
The following items are generally permitted for traditional burial:
- Personal letters, cards and drawings.
- Printed photographs.
- Flowers and other natural materials.
- Small items made from untreated wood, cotton or linen.
- Certain jewellery, depending on the cemetery's requirements.
If you have a specific item in mind, discuss it with the funeral director or cemetery in advance.
Cremation: what rules apply?
Cremation involves additional safety requirements. The high temperatures inside the cremation chamber make certain materials unsuitable. Some items can damage the equipment or interfere with the cremation process.
Which materials are generally not permitted?
Crematoria commonly restrict:
- Glass:
glass objects can break under extreme heat and interfere with the cremation process. - Batteries and electronics:
mobile phones, electronic watches and other battery-powered devices can create safety risks when exposed to high temperatures. - Large metal objects:
these can interfere with the cremation process and the handling of cremated remains. - Plastics:
certain types of plastic can release harmful substances when heated. - Items containing hazardous substances:
products containing chemicals, flammable liquids or other dangerous substances are unsuitable for cremation.
Specific requirements also apply to medical devices. Pacemakers and certain other implanted devices may create safety risks during cremation. When necessary, a qualified healthcare professional must remove these devices beforehand.
The funeral director can explain which precautions are required.
What can you usually include?
Depending on the crematorium, the following materials and items are often permitted:
- Clothing made from natural fabrics, such as cotton or linen.
- Personal letters, cards and drawings.
- Small items made from suitable combustible materials.
- Flowers without plastic decorations or ribbons.
If you wish to include a specific personal item, you can ask the crematorium whether it is suitable for the cremation process.
Natural burial: protecting the environment
Natural burial focuses on preserving the surrounding environment. Natural burial grounds therefore have specific requirements for clothing, coffins, burial shrouds and personal belongings.
Materials generally need to be natural and biodegradable, allowing them to break down naturally in the surrounding environment.
Which materials are generally not permitted?
Natural burial grounds commonly restrict:
- Metals:
jewellery, watches and metal components that do not naturally break down. - Glass:
glass objects and decorations remain in the soil for long periods. - Plastic and rubber:
these materials break down very slowly and are generally unsuitable for natural burial. - Synthetic clothing:
fabrics such as polyester, nylon and acrylic are usually not permitted. - Clothing with synthetic components:
this includes certain zips, buttons, elastic and other synthetic additions. - Treated coffins:
coffins containing varnish, paint, certain adhesives or metal fittings often do not meet the requirements. - Personal belongings that do not biodegrade:
such as glasses, toys or plastic decorations.
Shoes with rubber soles or other synthetic components may also be restricted.
Which materials are generally permitted?
Natural burial grounds usually allow materials that are entirely natural and biodegradable, such as:
- Clothing made from cotton, linen, wool or hemp.
- Coffins made from untreated wood, such as poplar or willow.
- Burial shrouds made from natural fabrics.
- Personal letters and drawings on suitable paper.
- Flowers without plastic ribbons, wire or decorations.
Requirements may vary between natural burial grounds. Many locations provide clear guidelines on suitable materials and can help you make an appropriate choice.
Donating your body to science
You can choose to donate your body to science at a later stage. An anatomical institute at a university can then use your body for medical education and scientific research.
This choice requires different arrangements from traditional burial or cremation. You need to record your wishes with an anatomical institute during your lifetime.
How do you arrange body donation?
If you wish to donate your body to science, the process generally involves the following steps:
- Contact an anatomical institute.
Find out which universities accept body donations and what requirements they have. - Request the necessary information.
The institute will explain the procedure and which documents you need. - Record your wishes in writing.
This generally requires a handwritten and signed declaration. The institute will explain the exact requirements. - Inform your loved ones.
This helps them understand your choice and know which institute to contact later. - Record alternative arrangements.
An institute may be unable to accept a body donation under certain circumstances.
The exact procedure varies between institutions. It's important to confirm the requirements directly with your chosen institute.
What happens to personal belongings?
Body donation involves specific arrangements regarding clothing and personal belongings.
Personal items, such as jewellery, watches and glasses, generally cannot remain with the body. Clothing is also usually removed before the institute prepares the body for education or research.
If you wish to keep certain personal belongings or leave them to your loved ones, you can record and discuss these wishes in advance.
How does the farewell take place?
When an anatomical institute accepts a body donation, a traditional burial or cremation generally does not take place before the transfer.
The body is usually transferred to the institute within a short period. This often leaves limited time for a farewell beforehand.
You can still record your wishes for a personal farewell gathering. For example, you may prefer a gathering with your loved ones where memories and personal messages can be shared.
Can an institute decline a body donation?
Yes. An anatomical institute may be unable to accept a body under certain circumstances.
This may depend on:
- Medical circumstances.
- The institute's available capacity.
- The time between passing and the possible transfer.
- Other requirements established by the institute.
It's therefore helpful to record alternative wishes for burial or cremation. This makes your preferences clear if the body donation cannot proceed.
What can you include with each option?
The possibilities depend on your chosen arrangements. The following overview shows which personal belongings and materials are generally permitted.
What is generally possible?
Burial:
Personal letters, photographs, flowers and small items made from natural materials. Certain jewellery may be permitted, depending on the cemetery. |
Cremation:
Clothing made from natural materials, letters, drawings, flowers and small items suitable for cremation.
Natural burial:
Clothing, coffins and burial shrouds made from natural, biodegradable materials. Flowers and paper messages are also often permitted.
Body donation to science:
The anatomical institute determines which personal belongings may accompany the body during transfer. Items generally cannot remain with the body.
This overview provides general guidance. Always check the specific requirements of your chosen cemetery, crematorium, natural burial ground or anatomical institute.
Why is it helpful to discuss this in advance?
Personal belongings can hold special meaning. You may wish to include a letter, photograph or another personal item as part of your farewell. By checking the possibilities in advance, you'll have a clearer understanding of what is permitted.
You can then record your wishes and discuss them with your loved ones. This helps them understand your choices and any arrangements they may need to consider.
It may help to think about three questions:
- Which personal belongings would you like to include in your farewell?
- Which items would you prefer to leave to your loved ones?
- Are there any materials or belongings you would prefer to leave out?
You can revisit these choices whenever your wishes change.
Record your wishes in myGoodbye
In myGoodbye, you can record which personal belongings you would like to include in your farewell. You can also indicate which materials or items you would prefer to leave out.
You decide what to record and can update your wishes whenever you want. This gives your loved ones clarity about the choices that matter to you.
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