Cremation in Latvia: the complete organization process and key aspects
The loss of a loved one is always a profound trial for the family. During this period, it is especially difficult to make decisions related to farewell arrangements and funeral organization. More and more often, families choose cremation as a modern, dignified, and flexible way of saying goodbye, allowing the memory of the deceased to be preserved in an individual form.
Cremation in Latvia is an officially regulated and ethically balanced process, carried out with respect for the deceased and their loved ones. In this article, we will explain in detail how cremation is carried out, what stages its organization includes, what options are available to the family after cremation, and what assistance the ANGEL funeral bureau provides at each stage.
What is cremation and why it is chosen
Cremation is a form of farewell in which the body of the deceased, after a farewell ceremony, is consigned to fire in a specialized crematorium, and the ashes are placed in an urn. This option is increasingly chosen by families in Latvia due to its practicality, flexibility, and the possibility of an individualized approach to preserving memory.
Cremation is suitable for those who:
- do not have a family burial plot at a cemetery;
- are considering placing the urn in a columbarium;
- plan burial in another city or region;
- want a more compact and calm format of farewell.
Cremation is not a rejection of traditions, but an opportunity to choose a calm and conscious path of farewell.
It is important to understand that cremation does not exclude a farewell ceremony and does not make the process less meaningful—on the contrary, it allows you to focus on what matters most: a respectful and thoughtful goodbye.
Cremation in Latvia: legal and ethical foundations
Legislative regulation of cremation
Cremation in Latvia is carried out in strict accordance with current legislation and municipal regulations. The process is regulated at the level of local governments and specialized institutions, which guarantees transparency, safety, and compliance with all standards. Special attention is paid to:
- preparation of permit documentation;
- compliance with sanitary requirements;
- ethical treatment of the deceased.
For example, in Riga, the procedure for providing funeral services, including cremation, is determined by regulations established by the Riga City Council. This ensures uniform standards and quality control of services.
Safety and environmental responsibility of the process
Modern crematoriums in Latvia are equipped with advanced technological equipment that meets all current environmental safety and sanitary standards. The cremation process takes place in fully closed systems with multi-level filtration, which eliminates harmful environmental impact and ensures control at every stage.
Cremation furnaces operate in an automated mode, allowing precise compliance with temperature parameters and guaranteeing the correct execution of the procedure in accordance with established standards. All processes are carried out under the supervision of qualified specialists, and the identification of the deceased is maintained at every stage, eliminating any possibility of error.
For the family, this means peace of mind and confidence that the cremation is conducted professionally, ethically, and with respect for the memory of their loved one. Transparency of the procedure, compliance with legislation, and a high level of technical equipment allow this stage to be entrusted to specialists and enable families to focus on the farewell without worrying about technical or organizational details.
How cremation is carried out: stages of the process
Preparation and transportation of the deceased
The organization of cremation begins with the careful transportation of the deceased. The ANGEL funeral bureau provides transportation from a home, hospital, care facility, or another specified address to the morgue at any time of day.
Each stage is accompanied by specialists who act calmly, carefully, and with respect for the memory of the deceased.
Documentation for cremation
Document preparation is one of the most difficult stages for relatives. To carry out cremation, a number of permits and approvals must be obtained:
1. Medical certificate stating the cause of death
(medicīniskā apliecība (izziņa) par nāves cēloni)
2. Death certificate
(miršanas apliecība)
3. Application for cremation
4. Prosecutor’s permission for cremation
(such permission is required if the circumstances of death raise questions or a forensic examination is being conducted)
You can find a more detailed description of the required documents for cremation in our blog: "Documentation for funerals in Latvia: a step-by-step guide."
The ANGEL funeral bureau takes care of:
- collecting and preparing all necessary documents;
- liaising with institutions;
- coordinating cremation timelines.
This helps avoid errors and relieves the family of a significant portion of the organizational burden. You can call us 24/7.
The cremation process
The cremation itself is carried out in a specialized crematorium. Relatives are not required to be present during the technical part of the process. All actions are performed strictly according to regulations and in compliance with ethical standards.
Farewell ceremony before cremation
Is a farewell ceremony necessary for cremation
Many people mistakenly believe that a farewell ceremony is not necessary in the case of cremation. In practice, it is the farewell that helps loved ones come to terms with the loss and preserve bright memories.
The ceremony can be either religious or secular—the format is chosen based on the family’s wishes.
Farewell formats
The most common options include:
- farewell in a chapel;
- a ceremony in a farewell hall;
- a private farewell in a close circle.
The ANGEL funeral bureau helps select a suitable location, coordinate the date and time, organize space decoration, and arrange musical accompaniment.
Ash urn: options after cremation
Burial of the urn
After cremation, the family can choose one of the lawful options:
- burial of the urn in a family grave;
- placement in a columbarium;
- burial in another city or region of Latvia.
We, the ANGEL funeral bureau, offer a wide selection of urns for ash capsules—from classic and restrained to modern options in various shapes and materials. Our specialists help select an urn taking into account the family’s wishes, traditions, and the chosen method of burial, so that this important element of farewell corresponds to the memory and character of the loved one.
Other possible solutions
In certain cases, temporary storage of the urn or its transportation for burial outside a specific municipality is permitted, subject to established rules.
The choice of option depends on the family’s wishes and the possibilities of a particular cemetery.
Cremation organization with the ANGEL funeral bureau
Full range of services
The ANGEL funeral bureau provides a full range of cremation organization services:
- transportation of the deceased;
- document preparation;
- organization of a farewell ceremony;
- urn selection;
- receiving the urn after cremation.
Cremation in Riga, Jurmala, and throughout Latvia
We operate in Riga, Jurmala, and other regions of Latvia, supporting families at every stage and ensuring a unified standard of quality regardless of place of residence.
Our offices—so that help is always nearby:
ANGEL offices in Riga
ANGEL office in Jurmala
Why families choose cremation with ANGEL
Experience, attentive care, and transparent organization allow families to feel support and confidence during a difficult period.
We are there when it matters most.
The ANGEL funeral bureau operates 24/7. We are ready to take on all organizational matters related to cremation so that you can focus on saying goodbye to your loved one.
Contact us at any time for a free consultation:
We are here to support you with respect and care.
