If you are a relative of a deceased and you must decide whether the deceased is to be buried or cremated, you must do so by filling in a request form for either burial or cremation.
Burial
In connection with a burial, the deceased will be placed in a coffin and buried in the cemetery.
Cremation
In connection with cremation, the deceased will be cremated at a crematorium and the ashes subsequently placed in an urn, which may be buried in the cemetery. It is also lawfully possible to scatter the ashes over the sea.
Furthermore, since 1 August 2008 it has been lawful to be buried in designated woodland burial sites. The first of these are being prepared in several places nationwide.
If the deceased has indicated his/her wishes regarding burial or cremation as well as a scattering of ashes ceremony, this will be complied with. Otherwise, you need to decide on this when filling in the request. If the vicar can approve the request, he/she will issue a burial/cremation certificate. The deceased may not be buried or cremated until the burial/cremation certificate has been signed.
As a relative, you may decide to take care of all the practicalities of a funeral or you may talk to an undertaker about what aspects of the funeral he is to take care of. The more you take responsibility for, the less expensive the funeral will be. On the website of the Danish Competition and Consumer Authority, you will find advice before you decide which undertaker to approach (in Danish only).