On September 10, the Bremen Parliament approved new rules allowing joint burials of people and their pets across the state, effective shortly.
New Rules Adopted by Bremen Parliament
On September 10, the Bremen Parliament approved a revised local cemetery ordinance, permitting the burial of a person and their companion animal together.
The law, effective within days, addresses residents’ growing demand that funeral services reflect modern attitudes toward pets.
Conditions for Joint Pet Burials
An urn containing a pet’s ashes may be interred with the owner’s grave, either jointly or posthumously, provided the animal was first cremated at a certified pet crematorium.
Body burial of the animal is prohibited; the urn serves only as a symbolic addition. Joint interment is possible only when both human and animal are deceased, and the person need not be cremated, though some cemeteries may favor urn burial.
Cemetery Plot Designation
Each cemetery authority now may earmark distinct sections for human and pet graves, with areas clearly separated. Some sites could be repurposed entirely for joint burials.
Residents wishing to be buried with a pet can record the intent in a will or funeral instruction, with guidance from the Aeternitas initiative to formalize the wish and discuss it with family.
Pets as Family Members
The concept received support from theologian Rainer Hagencord of Münster’s Institute of Theological Zoology, who said that for many people dogs and cats have become full family members.
He noted that throughout history—dating back to the reign of Frederick the Great—beloved pets were buried alongside their owners, with the belief that they crossed to the afterlife together.
New Trend in Germany
Bremen joins a handful of German federal states that now allow joint burials. Hamburg adopted similar rules in 2020, while most other states still either ban or heavily restrict the practice.
Media commentators consider the change a symbolic step forward, reflecting the growing number of people living alone whose pets serve as close companions.
