Anonymous Burial Costs in NRW

The costs of an anonymous burial in North Rhine-Westphalia vary depending on the city, burial type and chosen cemetery. In this guide, we provide a complete overview of current 2026 prices and explain how the total costs are composed.

Three Burial Options Compared

At Ritual-Service 24, we offer three burial options. All prices are all-inclusive packages covering all essential services:

• Anonymous urn interment from 795 euros: Collection within a 50 km radius, transfer to the crematorium, cremation, bio-urn, anonymous interment at the cemetery, official formalities and deregistration from pension and health insurance.
• Silent burial from 950 euros: Same as the anonymous urn interment, but with the option of a name marker and the presence of relatives at the interment.
• Anonymous earth burial from 1,500 euros: Collection, hygienic preparation, simple coffin, interment in an anonymous burial field, cemetery fees and all formalities included.

Cemetery Fees by City (As of April 2026)

Cemetery fees are levied by the respective municipality and vary considerably in some cases. Here is an overview of the most important NRW cities:

All prices include VAT. As of: April 2026. Subject to changes by the municipalities.

What Do the Costs Consist Of?

The total costs of an anonymous burial are made up of several components:

• Funeral director services: Collection and transfer of the deceased, hygienic preparation, coffining and organisation of the entire burial.
• Cremation costs: Cremation at the crematorium typically costs between 250 and 400 euros, depending on location.
• Urn or coffin: A simple bio-urn costs between 30 and 80 euros. A simple coffin for earth burial ranges from 300 to 600 euros.
• Cemetery fees: These are levied by the municipality and vary significantly (see table above).
• Official fees: Death certificate, burial permit and other documents cost approximately 80 to 150 euros in total.

Why Do Prices Differ Between Cities?

Cemetery fees are set independently by each municipality and are regularly adjusted. Factors such as cemetery maintenance costs, availability of burial plots and the general financial situation of the city all play a role. Affordable locations such as Bochum and Oberhausen charge 700 euros for an anonymous urn interment, while Duisburg is significantly higher at 1,147 euros.

Are There Subsidies or Financial Aid?

If the relatives obligated to arrange the burial cannot afford the costs, there is an entitlement under Section 74 of the German Social Code (SGB XII) for the social welfare office to cover the burial costs. The application must be submitted to the responsible social welfare office, ideally before the burial takes place. Approval depends on the income and asset situation of the applicant.

Tips for Saving on Anonymous Burials

• Compare cities: A look at our cost overview shows that prices vary considerably between cities.
• Pre-planning: Those who plan ahead during their lifetime can secure more favourable terms and relieve their relatives financially.
• Choose an all-inclusive package: Our flat-rate prices include all essential services, so there are no unexpected additional costs.
• Check social burial assistance: In cases of financial hardship, the social welfare office can cover the costs.

Conclusion

An anonymous burial in NRW is available from just 795 euros, making it one of the most affordable burial options. The total costs depend primarily on the chosen city and the type of burial. We are happy to advise you individually and provide you with a transparent offer with no hidden costs. Use our cost calculator or call us on +49 1511 7463888.