Poland prepares major cemetery and burial law reform

The Polish government is preparing a major reform of cemetery and burial laws, marking the first significant legislative overhaul in 67 years. The Ministry of Interior and Administration (MSWiA) aims to modernize the 1959 act to address contemporary social and technological realities.

A primary focus of the reform is to clarify the legal basis for municipal cemetery fees. Recent administrative court rulings have increasingly challenged the legality of various local charges, questioning whether municipalities can collect fees beyond those specifically for burials and grave reservations. The new project seeks to provide a clear legal framework, potentially using the Act on Municipal Economy to allow local governments to set prices for the use of cemetery infrastructure and facilities.

Additionally, the reform intends to resolve disputes regarding burial rights and grave reservations. The project also includes plans for digitalizing cemetery registries and simplifying administrative procedures for families.

Separately, authorities are warning citizens about proper waste disposal at cemeteries. Improperly discarding electronic components from LED or solar-powered grave lanterns can result in fines of up to 5,000 PLN. Special red collection containers for batteries are being introduced in various municipalities to prevent hazardous waste from entering general refuse streams.