What is the annual maintenance fee?
Almost all cemeteries charge an annual maintenance fee, separate from the concession fee paid when obtaining the plot. It is paid to the cemetery administration and renewed each year.
The fee covers the cemetery's shared services, not the individual grave. The exact amount varies considerably from one cemetery to another, depending on the city and the services provided.
What does the maintenance fee cover — and what does it not cover?
Many people confuse the maintenance fee with grave care. They are different things. The table below clarifies what is included in the fee and what remains the family's responsibility.
| Covered by the fee | Family's responsibility |
|---|---|
| Upkeep of pathways and shared areas | Cleaning and washing the grave |
| Water supply and general waste collection | Replacing flowers and candles |
| Security and cemetery order | Repairs to the monument |
| Maintenance of administrative records | Work on the gravestone or kerbing |
What does grave care involve?
Physical grave care means cleaning the stone, replacing flowers and candles, removing leaves, and carrying out minor repairs. Families do this themselves or hire a team.
For those living far away — in another city or abroad — regular care becomes difficult. In these cases a team can carry out periodic cleaning, especially before public holidays and memorial observances.
What happens if the fee is not paid?
Failure to pay the maintenance fee for several consecutive years, combined with leaving the grave untended, may — under the cemetery's regulations — lead to the plot being declared abandoned.
An abandoned plot can be reallocated by the administration, following a procedure and within a timeframe set by the cemetery's regulations. It is therefore important that the fee is paid on time and the plot kept in order. Check the deadlines with the cemetery administration.
How we help
We can assist with periodic grave care — cleaning, flowers, candles — especially if you are far away and cannot visit the cemetery.
We also coordinate work on the monument when it needs repair or restoration. For details about your situation, call us — advice is free of charge.