In addition to the types mentioned above, there are a number of other
modern forms of burial, which are usually variants of cremation. Here you will
find a small excerpt of the existing alternative burials.
Please note that some of the forms listed below are prohibited or
controversial in Germany. We cannot assume any liability for the content of the
linked pages.
memorial jewels
Memorial jewels are usually made from the cremation ashes of the deceased
or from their hair. The diamonds, rubies or sapphires are "grown" in
chemical processes, mostly in a combination of high temperature and pressure
over a longer period of time.
Since the production of such a commemorative gemstone from the ashes of the
dead is prohibited in Germany, cremation ashes cannot be removed from the
sealed ash urn under German law. This form of burial has long been known in
other European countries such as Switzerland or Austria, but the remaining
cremation ashes must be buried in the respective countries after the jewels have
been made.
However, the production of commemorative gemstones from human hair is not
prohibited by German law and can therefore be carried out without any problems.
space burial
Space burial is the placement of a small portion of cremation ashes in low
Earth orbit in space. So far, this method has only been carried out by the
company Celestis in the USA, which in 1997 transported 24 mini urns into space
for the first time.
air burial - Europe and worldwide
The air burial or sky burial is a very old type of burial that is rarely
used in most parts of the world, in which a person's corpse is given to nature
in the open air. This usually occurs in higher or mountainous areas where the
deceased body is given back to nature in whole or in part by birds and other
scavengers.
In Europe today, air burial is understood to mean something completely
different. Here the cremation ashes are scattered over a certain area from a
hot-air balloon, airplane or helicopter, and the coordinates of the scattering
site are later given to the relatives in the form of a map. In Germany, this
form of burial is forbidden because there is a compulsory cemetery. Certain
areas over the Baltic Sea and North Sea offer exceptions.
