Human cremation is the procedure by which the deceased's body is reduced to ashes in an authorized crematorium. Three crematoria operate in Romania: Vitan-Bârzești in Bucharest, Pro Ignis in Cluj-Napoca, and Phoenix in Oradea. The process takes 5-7 days from death to urn delivery, and the complete package cost (transport, compatible casket, crematorium fee, urn) starts at 4,900 RON — generally 30-40% cheaper than traditional burial.
human cremation — authorized crematoria. Illustrative image.
ROMANIA · 3 CREMATORIA
Authorized crematoria in Romania
Three authorized human crematoria operate in Romania, strategically distributed to cover the entire country. Choice depends on death location and available time — all three operate per Romanian Law 102/2014.
ROMANIA · 3 AUTHORIZED CREMATORIA
Vitan-Bârzești · Bucharest
Bucharest + Ilfov + southeast
Wait:
4–7 days
Fee:
~900 RON adult
Pro Ignis · Cluj-Napoca
Transylvania + Banat
Wait:
2–4 days
Fee:
~850 RON adult
Phoenix · Oradea
Western + northwestern
Wait:
1–3 days
Fee:
~800 RON adult
Illustrative image: columbarium niches — one of the urn placement options after cremation.
What human cremation means
Human cremation is a funeral method where the deceased's body is placed in a special oven at temperatures between 800 and 1000°C for 1.5-3 hours. The result is approximately 2-3 kg of ash for an adult, placed in a funeral urn.
The procedure is regulated in Romania by Law 102/2014 and the technical norms of each crematorium. Only DSP-authorized crematoria may perform cremations — currently 3 nationwide, with significantly growing demand over the past decade.
Romania's first crematorium, named "Cenușa" (Ash), opened in Bucharest in 1928. It was one of the earliest crematoria in southeastern Europe and operated for decades before closing. The three crematoria operating today all opened after 1990.
Cremation remains considerably less common in Romania than in Western Europe — in the United Kingdom, for example, it exceeds 70% of all funerals. In Romania, cremation is chosen by a growing minority of families, concentrated largely in Bucharest and the larger cities where crematoria are accessible.
For the diaspora, the choice is often practical: a cremation urn is far simpler and cheaper to ship internationally than a sealed casket, and many Romanian families abroad arrange for cremation in Romania before flying the urn to a final resting place in Western Europe.
The 3 authorized Romanian crematoria
Vitan-Bârzești Crematorium (Bucharest, Sector 3) — largest and most-requested. Waiting time 4-7 days. Crematorium fee ~900 RON adult, ~600 RON child. Covers most cases from Bucharest and Ilfov.
Pro Ignis Crematorium (Cluj-Napoca) — second largest. Waiting time 2-4 days. Covers Transylvania and Banat.
Phoenix Crematorium (Oradea) — newest. Waiting time 1-3 days. Covers western Romania and north-western Transylvania.
Documents for cremation — Romanian and foreign citizens
The paperwork required for cremation is slightly more extensive than for burial, because cremation is irreversible and Romanian law requires an additional sanitary clearance specifically for cremation. We handle all of this on the family's behalf.
For Romanian citizens: civil death certificate (issued by the Civil Status office), medical death certificate (issued by doctor or hospital), valid ID of the person requesting cremation, the cremation clearance issued by the town hall's civil status office.
For foreign citizens additionally: clearance from the diplomatic mission (embassy or consulate) of the country of citizenship and, where applicable, certified translations of documents issued abroad. The exact list differs by country — we confirm it on the first call.
In all cases, the deceased's casket must be crematorium-compatible: plain combustible wood, no zinc lining, no metal handles.
Illustrative image: the paperwork set required for cremation — civil death certificate, medical certificate, sanitary clearance.
When cremation is chosen
Family has no concessioned burial plot and doesn't want the associated costs (10,000-30,000 RON in Bucharest)
Deceased expressed cremation preference (funeral testament or known verbal wish)
Ecological or practical reasons — cremation occupies much less physical space than a burial
Repatriation of an urn from abroad is much simpler and cheaper than a casket
Cheaper urn space — a columbarium niche costs 3,000-8,000 RON vs. a burial plot 10,000-30,000 RON
Mixed-religion families where a complete religious service isn't imperative
How the cremation procedure unfolds
Day 1: pickup of the deceased from hospital, home, or morgue. Issuing the medical certificate and preliminary documents. Preparation for the ceremony — embalming per crematorium norms, dressing, cosmetics.
Day 2: issuing the civil death certificate from Civil Status office and the special sanitary clearance for cremation. Scheduling the slot at the chosen crematorium (based on availability).
Days 3-6: waiting for the crematorium slot. The family may organize a short wake or farewell ceremony.
Ceremony day: transport to crematorium, short farewell ceremony (may include a short religious service depending on confession), the actual cremation (2-3 hours).
3-5 days after cremation: the funeral urn is ready and handed to the family. The family decides where and when to place it (columbarium, burial plot, home keeping).
Illustrative image: the farewell chapel at a crematorium, where families gather before the cremation takes place.
What the Cremation package includes
Our Cremation package covers everything from the first call to urn handover, at 4,900 RON.
Item
Included
Pickup of deceased and transport to crematorium
Yes
Body preparation (embalming per crematorium norms, cosmetics, dressing)
Yes
Crematorium-compatible casket (plain wood, no zinc)
Yes
Crematorium fee (Vitan-Bârzești or equivalent)
Yes
All sanitary paperwork and cremation clearance
Yes
Standard urn (wood or metal)
Yes
Urn handover to the designated family member
Yes
Premium urn (decorative, engraved, biodegradable)
Chosen separately
Cremation package — what is included Premium urns are available as an add-on and can be chosen from our catalogue. Columbarium niche or burial of urn is not included in the package price.
How much cremation costs
Total complete-package cost starts at 4,900 RON and includes: pickup of the deceased, transport to crematorium, preparation (embalming per norms), crematorium-compatible casket (plain wood, no zinc, no metal handles), the crematorium fee, scheduling, classic wood or metal urn, and all formalities.
Optional separate costs: premium urn (300-1,500 RON extra), urn location (columbarium 3,000-8,000 RON or separate burial plot), columbarium plaque (200-800 RON), wake or food packages (if family organizes — generally not done with cremation).
Religious and cultural considerations
Romanian Orthodox Church — doesn't accept cremation as a funeral option compliant with Orthodox faith. Doesn't officiate services for cremated persons. The family may organize a short civil ceremony at the crematorium or an Orthodox memorial without the actual service, later (at 40 days, 6 months, 1 year).
Catholic Church — accepts cremation provided the ashes are placed in a consecrated location (cemetery or columbarium), not kept at home or scattered.
Protestant and Neo-protestant confessions — generally accept cremation without restrictions, officiating complete services for cremated persons.
Judaism and Islam — generally don't accept cremation as a funeral option per religious law.
What happens to the urn after cremation
Placement in columbarium — special wall at the crematorium or cemetery, with individual niches closed with inscribed plaques (3,000-8,000 RON per niche)
Burial in existing or new plot — much reduced price vs. standard burial (small urns, no large casket)
Home keeping — legal in Romania, with some location and duration restrictions
Scattering in nature — legal in Romania provided not on someone else's private property or in public waters. Popular places: mountains, sea, forests.
Illustrative image: the moment of urn handover — a crematorium staff member presenting the sealed urn to a family representative.
FREQUENT QUESTIONS
What families ask about cremation at authorized crematorium
How long from death to receiving the urn?
On average 5-7 days, depending on slot availability at the chosen crematorium. Vitan-Bârzești (most requested) has 4-7 days wait. Pro Ignis Cluj — 2-4 days. Phoenix Oradea — 1-3 days. After actual cremation, the urn is handed to the family in 3-5 days.
When and how is the urn handed over — especially if we are flying in from abroad?
The urn is ready 3-5 days after the cremation itself. Handover is done in person at our premises or at the crematorium, to whoever the family designates. If you are flying in from abroad, tell us your arrival date when you call — we schedule the handover to coincide with your visit so you don't need to make a separate trip. If you cannot come to Romania at all, the urn can be shipped internationally via a licensed carrier with the appropriate cremation certificate; we handle the paperwork and coordinate the shipment.
Can I have an Orthodox service for cremation?
The Romanian Orthodox Church does NOT officiate services for cremated persons. The family may organize a short civil ceremony at the crematorium (speeches, music, moments of reflection), and a traditional Orthodox memorial may be held later — at 40 days, 6 months, 1 year, etc. Catholic, Protestant, and Neo-protestant confessions have different policies and may officiate services.
What casket is used for cremation?
The casket must be crematorium-compatible — unburnable wood (pine, poplar), no zinc, no metal handles that don't burn, no toxic chemical impregnations. We provide the suitable casket in the cremation package. A zinc casket (like those for repatriations) cannot be used.
Which crematorium is closest to me?
For Bucharest and Ilfov — Vitan-Bârzești (in Sector 3). For Transylvania (Cluj, Mureș, Sibiu, Bistrița, etc.) — Pro Ignis Cluj. For Banat and northwestern Romania (Bihor, Satu Mare, Maramureș, Arad, Timiș) — Phoenix Oradea or Pro Ignis Cluj. For the rest of the country, we organize transport to the closest crematorium.
How much does cremating a child cost?
The fixed crematorium fee is lower for children — approximately 600 RON at Vitan-Bârzești (vs. 900 RON for adults). The complete package for a child starts at 3,200 RON (with appropriately-sized casket and special urn). These are delicate cases — we discuss all details with maximum care and respect.
Can I scatter the ashes at the sea or mountains?
Yes, it's legal in Romania. Restrictions: cannot scatter on someone else's private property (without owner consent), cannot do so in public waters with commercial traffic (Danube in port zones, reservoir lakes), cannot do so in strictly protected natural areas (national parks restricted). Most-chosen places: mountains (Bucegi, Făgăraș, Carpathians), sea (Romanian coast), private forests with owner consent.
How much does a columbarium niche cost for an urn?
Between 3,000 and 8,000 RON, depending on location and size. At Vitan-Bârzești Crematorium there's an on-site columbarium. In cemeteries Reînvierea, Tudor Vladimirescu, Bellu and others in Bucharest there are public columbaria. The niche includes an inscribed plaque holding the urn. Concession is usually 7-15 years, renewable.
Can I keep the urn at home instead of placing it somewhere?
Yes, it's legal in Romania. Many families choose this option to maintain physical proximity to their loved one. The urn is kept in a suitable place (shelf, cabinet, personal altar). There's no legal obligation to place the urn in a cemetery or columbarium. For later memorials (40 days, 6 months, 1 year), the family decides where and how.
RELATED SERVICES
Related services we provide
Cremation Package
Complete cremation package, from {{incinerare}} RON — transport, casket, crematorium fee, urn.
