Burial
The traditional burial in a coffin — with everything it involves: choice of grave, date, ceremony and all formalities with the municipality.
What to expect
In a burial, the deceased is laid to rest in a coffin at a cemetery. It is the form most people picture as a matter of course, and it remains the first choice for many families in Switzerland — particularly where religious rules rule out cremation.
In Switzerland the process is governed at cantonal and sometimes municipal level. Which grave types are available, how long the period of rest lasts and what fees the Gemeinde (municipality) charges differ from place to place. We know the procedures of the municipalities we work in and handle all coordination with the burial and cemetery office for you.
If the funeral is to take place not in Switzerland but in the country of origin, a repatriation abroad is the right route — and we arrange that in full as well.
Process
You call and we collect the deceased — from the hospital, the care home or from home. In the conversation we settle the type of grave, the preferred date, the faith and the shape of the ceremony.
We notify the civil registry office of the death — in Switzerland this must happen within two days — and apply for the burial permit at the municipality's burial office.
Hygienic care, dressing and placing in the chosen coffin. On request with clothing you provide, and with a farewell in the closest circle.
You can say goodbye in a farewell room or at home — in the closest circle or with everyone who wishes to come. We prepare the room and stay in the background.
Religious or freely composed, in a church, in the cemetery chapel or at the graveside. We arrange the speaker, music and flowers and coordinate everything with the cemetery.
The interment takes place on the agreed date in the chosen grave. Afterwards we help with thank-you cards, deregistrations and the design of the grave.
In detail
Depending on the municipality, several grave types are available: the row grave, allocated by the municipality and normally maintained for twenty to twenty-five years; the family or private grave, which can be bought and extended; and the communal grave without individual marking. The fees and periods of rest are set by the municipality and differ considerably. We obtain your municipality's conditions and put them in front of you before you decide.
Questions & answers
Switzerland sets no rigid deadline for the funeral itself, but it does for notifying the civil registry office of the death: that must happen within two days. The funeral usually takes place within three to ten days. Where religious rules call for a swift interment, we prioritise the dates accordingly.
The total is made up of three parts: our services, third-party invoices for the coffin, flowers and printing, and the municipality's fees for the grave and cemetery. The last of these varies strongly between municipalities. You receive a written quote from us with every item listed separately before we act — and, in the same quote, a line stating what is not included. Collection, care, journeys and expenses are always included in our price and never appear as an add-on.
Yes. A farewell is possible in almost every case — in the farewell room, on our premises or at home. We prepare the deceased with dignity and give you as much time as you need.
Of course. Many families bring a favourite item of clothing, a shirt, a cloth or religious garments. Simply tell us what should be used.
In a burial the coffin is interred directly; in a cremation the body is cremated first and the urn interred afterwards. Cremation is the more common option in Switzerland and usually less expensive, but burial is the only permitted form in several religions.
Other services
Worldwide repatriation from Switzerland — documents, permits and transport from a single point of contact.
Learn moreA death abroad: we bring your relative back to Switzerland.
Learn moreCremation followed by urn interment, a natural burial or transfer of the urn.
Learn more