Forms of burial
On the water rather than in the ground — permitted in Switzerland, with local nuances.
Switzerland has no sea, but it has lakes, and scattering ashes on water is permitted in most cantons.
For many families it is the place that matters: the lake the person sailed on, swam in, or simply saw from the window.
Scattering ashes on a lake or river is permitted in most Swiss cantons, without a specific authorisation where it is done discreetly.
A few lakes and certain water protection zones are exceptions. A call to the municipality or the cantonal environment office clears it up quickly.
Two forms. Either the family hires a boat and scatters the ashes themselves; or a water-soluble urn is lowered and dissolves within a few hours.
The second leaves a gentler image and avoids the vagaries of the wind. We supply the urn and can arrange the boat.
Ashes only. Artificial flowers, ribbons and non-biodegradable containers stay ashore — as much a matter of rules as of respect for the lake.
Some families want a burial at sea, often in the Mediterranean or the North Sea. That is possible but falls under the law of the country concerned.
You then need the urn, the cremation papers and, depending on the country, a permit. We arrange transport of the urn and contact with the provider on site.
Questions & answers
In most cantons no, as long as it is done discreetly. On certain lakes and in protected zones, yes. The municipality can tell you in minutes.
Yes. On the larger lakes several operators offer private trips for this purpose. We handle the booking.
No — that is the trade-off. Some families keep a small urn or place part of the ashes in an urn grave to have a point of reference.
The water-soluble urn is modest. The boat, if chartered, is the main item and depends on the lake and the season.