Types of graves

Private graves

A private grave is a grave where the rightful owner determines who is buried in the grave. The rights holder is always 1 person, this can be family but does not have to be. More information about rightful claimant: www.uitvaart.nl | Who is rightful claimant with regard to grave rights.

The exclusive right for a private grave can be obtained for 10, 20, 30 or 40 years, for 2 or 3 persons. After this period, the rightful owner can renew the grave right for 5, 10, 15 or 20 years. The next of kin can choose the preferred spot. For an initial burial, one can choose from a number of graves. With an interment, the spot is already determined by the previous burial. The next of kin can also plant the grave or place a stone or other memorial there. For a memorial, you must apply for a permit through the form the rightful claimant receives. The municipality takes care of the general maintenance of the cemetery grounds. The beneficiary takes care of the maintenance of the grave: the memorial and the present grave planting.

General graves

A general grave is a grave where several, often unknown, people are buried one above the other. These graves are issued in order and there is no choice with whom the deceased is buried in the grave. General graves are less expensive than private graves and have a 10-year right of use. You cannot renew an adult general grave. After these 10 years, we will ask you what to do with the last remains of the deceased. Then you can choose reburial, cremation or transfer to the collective grave (this is an anonymous part of the cemetery. There is no further opportunity for memorialization there).

Difference between private grave and general grave

Specifically, what is the difference between a private and general grave?

• With a private grave, the rightful owner has control. With a general grave, the municipality has control.
• In a general grave, the stone must be smaller than that of a private grave because individuals from different families are buried in the grave.

Children's Graves

The Hoflaan cemetery in Zoetermeer has both private children's graves and general ones. The right for a private children's grave can be obtained for 10, 20, 30 or 40 years and can be extended thereafter by 5, 10, 15 or 20 years. You can also choose a general children's grave. These have a right of use of 10 years. After that, you can renew for 5 or 10 years. Unlike adult general graves, it is possible to extend the term of general children's graves.

The options at Binnenweg and Hoflaan differ. The Binnenweg cemetery has existing (old) general children's graves. The right of use is/can be extended by 5 or 10 years. There are no private children's graves; that possibility is not offered.

Urn and ashes

The Meerbloemhof crematorium in Zoetermeer is located at the Hoflaan cemetery and is owned by Monuta. After a cremation, you can place the urn at the cemetery in the urn wall (the Columbarium), in an urn grave, in or on a private grave or scatter the ashes in the ash scattering bowl or on the scattering field. After scattering the ashes, a plaque can be placed on one of the memorial pillars (these are located at the cemetery's scattering field and at the ash scattering bowl in the urn garden).