Dutch funeral bill heads for review with plans to allow resomation

A Dutch bill that would allow resomation — the breakdown of a body in an alkaline liquid — is being sent to the Council of State for advice, the government announced on 25 September 2026. It would also expand funeral choices and powers to investigate deaths. [1]

Interior and Kingdom Relations Minister Heerma is referring the proposal on behalf of the justice and health ministers as well. It would replace the Netherlands’ current law governing the handling of bodies after death, the Wet op de lijkbezorging. [1]

New funeral options

Alongside allowing resomation, the bill would permit two deceased people to be buried or cremated together in one coffin. Joint resomation would also be possible. [1]

For burials, an urn containing ashes could be placed in the same coffin as a body. The proposal would also simplify the procedure for burial within 24 hours of death. [1]

The current law requires a doctor to examine the body after a death and regulates options including burial, cremation and donation to science for research or education. [1]

Wider powers to investigate deaths

Police would gain more scope to examine a body and the place where it was found to assess whether a criminal offence might have caused the death. A forensic physician would also have greater scope for further examination when not convinced that a death was natural. The government says the aim is to reduce the risk of crimes going undetected. [1]

The bill would also set out more clearly when procedures may be performed on a body after death, with the stated aim of better protecting bodily integrity. [1]