The funeral concession in Geneva: duration, price and renewal

What a concession is

A concession is the right to occupy a plot in the cemetery, a grave or a cinerary niche, granted by your municipality of residence for a set period, under the cantonal law on cemeteries. It is not an outright purchase of the land, but a right of use limited in time.

Duration and renewal

A concession is granted for a given period, generally renewable. At the end, it can be renewed for a new payment; without renewal, the plot may be taken back by the municipality.

It is therefore a recurring cost, not a one-off one: an essential point to understand when planning ahead, especially for burial.

How much in Geneva

In the City of Geneva, renewing a concession costs around CHF 750 for five years for a grave, and less for ashes. The amount and duration vary from one municipality to another: your municipality of residence remains the reference point.

How to plan for it

Build this recurring cost into your planning, and note the renewal date. Conversely, cremation followed by scattering in the garden of remembrance does not involve a long concession: something to weigh beyond the initial price alone.