The family grave
What are family graves
Several family members can be buried in family graves, which have a relatively large grave area. Family graves also allow larger or multiple headstones to be erected, decorations to be added and sculptures to be placed. In addition to traditional inscriptions, mottoes, for example, can also be placed on the headstone. The larger area of a family grave also allows for a more varied ground design with planting or stone slabs. If the relatives of a deceased person wish to create a family grave, they opt for a so-called “elective grave” (instead of a “row grave”). Only elective graves allow relatives to choose the location and size of a grave. Elective graves are allocated for coffin and/or urn burials. The right to use an elective grave is renewable.
In contrast to elective graves, row graves are predominantly individual graves that are allocated to a grave plot (in order of death) by the cemetery administration. There is no right to choose the location of a grave. Urn burials are not permitted in a row grave. After the non-renewable resting period, a row grave is generally closed and leveled.
Only one burial per resting phase (usually 20 to 30 years) is permitted in a single family grave. After a period of rest has expired, a further burial in the same grave is permitted. However, an additional urn burial is permitted before the end of the resting period.
As a single family grave only has a limited amount of space, relatives usually prefer a multi-layered family grave, which can usually consist of up to four spaces next to each other. Some cemetery statutes permit a larger number of plots (sometimes up to eight). The large space of a multi-plot family grave opens up a particularly wide range of design options, including the choice of headstone and planting.
Deep graves are also suitable as family graves. Two burials may be carried out in each deep grave within one resting period. For example, a two-digit deep grave allows the burial of four people. As with all elective graves, urn burials are also permitted. The burial of two urns and two coffins is usually permitted per deep grave.
A family grave can also be set up as an urn grave. A desired space is selected from the available free urn gravesites in a cemetery. Urn ballot graves of one square meter in size can accommodate up to four urns. Some cemetery regulations provide for single-choice urn graves for up to two urns. In some cases, an urn burial plot can be leased as an urn ballot grave instead of such a standard urn burial plot.
The history of the family grave
The tradition of family burial sites goes back thousands of years. They have always been a sign of togetherness and solidarity beyond death. Until the 19th century, burials took place in crypts as a representative form of burial site, which was, however, reserved for small circles of people. In German-speaking countries, burials in family graves have largely replaced the earlier burials in crypts.
The design of family graves
Family graves are often owned by the same family for generations. The design of a family grave should therefore be done carefully and with foresight in order to ensure the preservation of the gravestone for a longer period of time.
Spacious family graves allow the combination of gravestones of different colors and shapes. In row graves, on the other hand, the design of headstones is sometimes subject to certain restrictions. In view of the fact that family graves lie for long periods of at least several decades, attention must be paid to weather and frost resistance when selecting a gravestone. Long-lasting gravestones made of granite, marble, basalt or sandstone are therefore usually used for family graves. So-called “broadstones” can accommodate several names and additional information due to their size.
The many options for gravestone design include, for example, decoration with glass motifs or the use of two-part gravestones. However, the design of family graves should be timeless and not follow fashion trends too closely.
Season-independent planting is often preferred for family graves. The grave area is often partially or even completely covered with stone. Relatives should therefore seek advice on the overall design of the grave, the material of the headstone and the grave border before planning a family grave.
