Cremation in Berlin – Incineration & Farewell with Atelier Magnolia
Fire represents change. Letting go. Purification and a new beginning – also for those who remain.
Cremation is currently the most common form of burial in Germany, and for good reason. It gives you time. It gives you freedom in choosing the location. And it allows space for a farewell that truly suits the person you have lost.
We at Atelier Magnolia Bestattungen are based in Berlin-Mitte and support families from across the Berlin metropolitan area, whether from Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg, Kreuzberg, Charlottenburg, or the surrounding Berlin region. From incineration at the Hennigsdorf crematorium to the burial of the urn at the location you choose.
We are here for you – contact us anytime.
We accompany you every step of the way from Berlin.
Our Philosophy
What is cremation?
In a cremation (also called cremation or incineration), the body of the deceased is cremated in a crematorium. The ashes are then interred in an urn: in a cemetery, in a FriedWald (forest cemetery), at sea, or at another approved location.
Cremation is not a modern invention. It has deep cultural and spiritual roots. Fire does not represent an end, but transformation: the transformation of the body into something new. Many people find this comforting.
Compared to traditional burial, it requires less space, is often more cost-effective, and allows greater flexibility in choosing the burial site. Especially in combination with nature-oriented burial forms such as under a tree, at sea, or in the mountains, it is now experienced by many families as the personal choice.
What really happens during cremation
We work with the crematorium in Hennigsdorf, about an hour from Berlin city center. We deliberately chose it for its calm, private atmosphere and the artful way they handle the deceased and their relatives.
We arrange the transfer of the deceased from all over Berlin, whether from Mitte, Neukölln, Pankow, Spandau, or wherever you are, take care of all formalities, and coordinate the entire process with the Hennigsdorf crematorium. You don’t have to worry about anything except what truly matters.
- Before cremation: You have the option to arrange a farewell ceremony, either in a small family circle or as a larger ceremony. The coffin is central. Relatives can say a personal goodbye, often as part of an open viewing.
- During insertion: Those who wish can witness the insertion of the coffin into the oven together. For some relatives, this means a lot, the certainty that the deceased does not go alone.
- After cremation: We receive the urn and bring it to the location of your choice on the day of interment.
For whom is cremation the right choice?
Cremation is the right decision for many people, but for very different reasons. Some choose it because they loved nature. Others because they didn’t want a cemetery that needs maintenance. Still others because they want to give their relatives the freedom to inter the ashes where it best suits.
Cremation is particularly suitable for people who:
- desire flexibility in the burial location – cemetery, forest, sea, mountains
- prefer a nature-oriented form of burial
- do not want to leave their relatives with permanent cemetery obligations
- are looking for a more personal alternative to traditional earth burial.
But sometimes it’s just a feeling: A grave in concrete – that doesn’t suit her. That doesn’t suit him. If you recognize this, we are the right choice for you.
Costs
What does a cremation cost in Berlin?
Our basic service for a cremation in Berlin costs €3,585 (incl. VAT, excl. cemetery fees) and includes:
- Casket for cremation
- All necessary transfer of the deceased
- Dressing and laying out
- 5 days climate-controlled room
- An urn from our pottery
- A death certificate
- Fees for cremation at Hennigsdorf crematorium
- Handling of formalities and cancellation of all private contracts
- All personal consultations, we are there for you day & night
The costs for an individual funeral service are added depending on your wishes. Contact us – we will transparently explain the costs to you.
Everything about the funeral service
When does the funeral service take place during a cremation?
Funeral service – before or after cremation
For a cremation, the funeral service can take place
- before cremation – with the coffin at the center
- or afterwards, once the urn is present.
Both are possible. Both have their own character. The choice is yours.
Funeral service before cremation
The ceremony takes place with the coffin. Relatives and friends can say a personal goodbye at the open coffin. From a psychological perspective, this form is often experienced as helpful because it allows for a final, concrete moment of farewell. Afterwards, if desired, the insertion of the coffin can be witnessed together.
Funeral service after cremation
The funeral service takes place when the urn is already present. This option is particularly suitable if the burial is planned as a sea or tree burial, or if the mourners gather at a later time. The urn burial can take place immediately afterwards or some time later.
How can you personalize the funeral service?
Whether before or after cremation, a funeral service at Atelier Magnolia does not follow a fixed pattern. We design it together with you, so that the personality of the deceased and your wishes are at the forefront.
There are many possibilities:
- Personal speeches, memories, or anecdotes from family and friends
- Music: from a favorite playlist to live music by a singer or choir
- Lighting candles, laying flowers, placing personal items on the coffin or urn
- Photos, letters, or things that were important to the deceased
- Prayers, blessings, or rituals, or a purely secular ceremony
- Children can be involved through small tasks or creative contributions
- A communal gathering afterwards with funeral coffee, guestbook, shared memories.
The location is freely selectable: church, funeral hall, our Atelier in Berlin-Mitte, outdoors, or a place that held special significance for the deceased. We are well-connected in Berlin and the surrounding area and help you find suitable venues, whether in Mitte, Prenzlauer Berg, Kreuzberg, Charlottenburg, or other Berlin districts.
Choosing the urn, because it is more than just a container
The choice of urn is personal. At Atelier Magnolia, we offer urns from our own pottery – handcrafted, simple, special. We also offer paper urns, biodegradable materials for natural burials, and individually designed vessels.
If you are planning a burial at sea or under a tree, we will help you find the right urn for it.
Do you have questions about the costs?
We explain everything – openly and without pressure.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Cremation in Berlin
How does a cremation proceed?
After death, the deceased person is picked up by us throughout Berlin, around the clock, and then transferred to the crematorium. Before cremation, you have the option of a farewell ceremony. The cremation takes place at the Hennigsdorf crematorium. Afterwards, we receive the urn and accompany you until the burial – at the location you choose. We are happy to advise you: Tel. 01520 958 70 51.
Can one be present during cremation?
Yes. You can witness the insertion of the coffin into the oven together. For some relatives, this is an important moment to have the certainty that the deceased person does not go alone. It is not a must, but it is possible.
What does a cremation cost in Berlin?
Our basic service starts at €3,585 incl. VAT. Cemetery fees and individual funeral service costs are added depending on your wishes. We will transparently explain what to expect – without surprises. A complete overview can be found in the price table above – or contact us directly: Tel. 01520 958 70 51.
How long does a cremation take?
The actual process usually takes 60 to 90 minutes. It usually takes a few days until the urn is ready and can be collected.
Is it allowed to keep the urn at home?
In Germany, cemetery duty applies: The urn must be interred in an approved cemetery. Private storage at home is not permitted in this country. However, there are alternatives such as natural burials in Switzerland, where different regulations apply. We are happy to advise you on this: Tel. 01520 958 70 51.
What is the difference between cremation and earth burial?
In an earth burial, the coffin is buried directly. In cremation, the body is first cremated, then the urn is interred. Cremation is often cheaper, more flexible in terms of location, and allows more time for the funeral service. Which form is right depends on the wishes of the deceased and the family.
What types of burial are available after cremation?
The possibilities are diverse: classic urn burial in a Berlin cemetery, tree burial, sea burial, or – in Switzerland – a free natural burial in alpine meadows or by mountain streams. We accompany you with all these options.
Can I choose cremation for pre-arrangement?
Yes. Those who wish to plan their own farewell can do so with us. We also assist with funeral pre-arrangement, so that your wishes are implemented exactly as you envision them. For all questions regarding funeral pre-arrangement: Tel. 01520 958 70 51.