The short answer: the burial types differ above all in three points – whether the name is shown, whether relatives may be present, and whether there is a place to visit afterwards. The price follows those decisions; it does not come first.
The most common confusion concerns "anonymous" and "quiet". A quiet interment is not anonymous: the grave bears a name and relatives are present – there is simply no public funeral service. Treating the two as the same means deciding against your own intention.
The burial types side by side
| Burial type | Price in NRW | Name on the grave | Relatives present | Place to visit | Grave care |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anonymous urn interment | from 2,300 € | no | no | only the communal field | none |
| Semi-anonymous interment | depends on the city | on a shared plaque | usually yes | yes, the plaque | none |
| Quiet interment | 2,900 € | yes | yes, in the closest circle | yes | depends on grave type |
| Anonymous earth burial | 4,030 € | no | no | only the communal field | none |
| Tree burial | from approx. 3,000 € | usually a small name plate | yes | yes, the tree | none |
| Sea burial | from approx. 2,500 € | no | on request, on board | only the sea chart | none |
| Classic urn grave | from approx. 3,500 € | yes | yes | yes | by the relatives |
The prices for anonymous, quiet and anonymous earth burial are our fixed prices in NRW; in Bonn, Düsseldorf, Duisburg and Krefeld the anonymous urn interment starts higher because municipal fees there are higher. The other figures are customary market ranges for orientation. As of 31.08.2026.
The types in detail
Anonymous urn interment
Interment in a communal grave field without any marking. The exact spot is not disclosed. Price in NRW: from 2,300 €.
Semi-anonymous interment
The grave itself stays unmarked, but the name appears on a shared stele. Not every city offers it.
Quiet interment
Not an anonymous grave but an interment without a public ceremony. Price: 2,900 €.
Anonymous earth burial
Without cremation. In NRW available only in Oberhausen. Price: 4,030 €.
Tree burial
Urn interment at a tree in a burial forest or forest cemetery. Usually with a name plate.
Sea burial
Interment of the ashes in a water-soluble urn. Not from NRW itself but from the coast.
Classic urn grave
Own grave with a headstone. Care for the whole period of rest lies with the family.
Three questions that carry the decision
Should there be a place to return to? This is the most important question, and it concerns the survivors rather than the deceased. An anonymous grave cannot later be turned into a named one. If you are unsure, look at the semi-anonymous option: it costs slightly more and leaves a name on a shared plaque.
Who should be present at the farewell? At an anonymous interment it takes place without relatives. Whoever does not want that but also wants no large ceremony chooses the quiet interment.
Who is to care for the grave? The worry of burdening relatives with twenty years of grave care is one of the most frequent reasons for choosing anonymity. It is a fair concern – but care-free communal graves with a name solve the same problem.
What the law says
Under § 12 (1) BestG NRW the type and place of burial follow, as far as possible, the wishes of the deceased person. If no wish is known, the survivors decide, in the order laid down in § 8 (1) BestG NRW. Anyone who wants an anonymous burial should record it in writing – some cities expressly require a written declaration by the deceased.
Germany also has the cemetery obligation: ashes must be interred on an approved site. Taking the urn home is not permitted.
And the municipal fees?
Whichever type is chosen, municipal cemetery fees arise. In NRW they differ considerably – from 758 € in Wuppertal to 2,504 € in Duisburg for the same anonymous grave type. All twelve cities are listed in the NRW fee index.
If the city itself does not matter, see the anonymous burial nearby for 1,790 €.
