Do you need permission for a grave?

Questioner

In August 2023, my brother passed away. Since then, there has been a lot of fuss in the family. My sister, who had not had any contact with the family for years, is difficult about everything. Unfortunately, my brother had not put anything on paper and he had no relationship. Now we have come to the point of choosing a stone for his grave. I have received a message from the municipality that I am the rightful owner of the grave. I want to leave my sister out of this. Can I put something on the grave without her permission?

Lawyer

As the rightful owner of the grave, you do indeed have some degree of decision-making authority. This means that you can make most decisions regarding the grave and the grave covering yourself, without the consent of other family members. In other words, as the rightful owner, you are in principle the only person who decides on the memorial stone and the texts that will be placed on it. However, the relationship between survivors and their handling of mourning and remembrance is complex. While you may be legally able to place a stone without your sister’s permission, such actions could potentially lead to more tension or conflict within your family. It may be advisable to discuss this situation with a lawyer or attorney, who may have a more in-depth understanding of the relevant legal details as well as the emotional and relational factors that may play a role in your situation. --------------- Stichting Rechtswinkel.nl is a national organization with students and volunteers. The above advice is based on limited information and may be incomplete or even incorrect for your situation. Always consult a lawyer or attorney for your further steps. Read disclaimer: https://rechtswinkel.nl/disclaimer I would like to invite you to rate the above answer so that we can learn from your response.