Opened cemeteries in Riga and Jurmala
Open cemeteries are those where it is possible to arrange a burial site for both a family and an individual, based on residence data.
Other cemeteries may be partially or fully closed, and burials are allowed only in special cases, determined by the relevant municipality.
Our goal is to provide clarification on the classification of cemeteries in Riga and Jurmala, as well as to explain the main issues that families face when choosing a cemetery for burial.
Cemeteries in Jurmala
The cemeteries are managed and serviced by the municipality “Jurmala Cemeteries,” which oversees five cemeteries:
- The Jaundubulti Cemetery - located on Lielupe Street
- The Sloka Cemetery - located on Varonu Street
- The Kemeri Cemetery
- The New Sloka Cemetery, or Forest Cemetery - located on Eduarda Veydenbauma Street
- The Beberbeki Cemetery - managed by “Jurmala Cemeteries” in cooperation with the Babite municipality.
The Kemeri Cemetery, the Old Sloka Cemetery, the Jaundubulti Cemetery, and the Beberbeki Cemetery are partially closed for new burials - burial is only possible if there are family graves.
New burials in Jurmala are only available at Sloka New Meža Cemetery.
If there is no family plot for burial and a new burial site needs to be arranged, it is necessary to confirm that the deceased was a resident of Jurmala. Residents of Jurmala are given the opportunity to receive a new burial site and bury the deceased if the last declared residence of the deceased was in Jurmala.
Since March 5, 2019, residents no longer need to pay rent for registration and measurements of new burial sites.
The fee-based services include:
- chapel rental
- bell ringing during the funeral ceremony
- site preparation for the funeral ceremony
- preparation and issuance of certificates for burial
- repeated measuring, division, or consolidation of burial plots
The Forest Cemetery also has a columbarium - a specially designated area for storing urns with the ashes of cremated deceased.
To use a niche in the columbarium, it is necessary to sign a contract with the cemetery administrator - this is a paid service. This service is available to all residents of Latvia.
Cemeteries in Riga
In Riga, there are several types of cemeteries; however, not all of them provide the possibility for burial.
Open Cemeteries in Riga
At open cemeteries, residents of Riga have the opportunity to receive a new burial site if the deceased’s last registered place of residence was within the administrative territory of the city of Riga, or to bury the deceased in an already existing family plot.
Partially Closed Cemeteries in Riga
At partially closed cemeteries, residents of Riga can bury their loved ones in family graves or, in special cases, with the permission of the municipality. However, new burial sites are not provided.
- I Forest Cemetery
- II Forest Cemetery
- Mikela cemetery
- Raina cemetery
- Sarkandaugavas cemetery
- Plavnieku cemetery
- Matisa cemetery
- Juglas cemetery
- Bikeru cemetery
- Lacupes cemetery
- Ziepniekalna cemetery
- Pleskodales cemetery
- Jewish Cemetery
- Old Bolderajas cemetery
At closed cemeteries, new burials and burials in family plots are prohibited, except for the interment of an urn with the ashes of a cremated deceased in an already existing family grave.
There are 5 closed cemeteries in Riga:
- Tornakalns cemetery and Tornakalns Orthodox cemetery
- Martina cemetery
- Kapsila cemetery
- Sarkandaugava hill cemetery
Cemetery Management Functions in Riga:
- Organization and oversight of cemetery maintenance and management
- Provision of grave digging and burial services
- Planning and organization of new cemetery construction
- Ensuring accurate, transparent, and secure burial records, as well as digitization of burial sites
- Creation and maintenance of an electronic database of burial locations
- Quality control of services provided by commercial organizations operating in cemeteries under contracts with the Department
- Organization of cremation and burial for those without relatives or legally recognized next of kin
Special procedure:
In point 20 of the regulations on the activities and maintenance of cemeteries under the municipal administration of the city of Riga, it is stated that a burial site may be allocated at a partially closed cemetery for a deceased person who has made significant contributions to the Latvian Republic or the city of Riga, based on a recommendation from the relevant state authority, creative union, non-governmental organization, or professional association.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact us, and we will provide a free consultation and assist with organizing funeral services or cremation, as well as prepare and arrange all the necessary documents.
The funeral home’s team is available 24/7, from 00:00 to 24:00.
Data edited on: 04. April 2025.
