What to do when a loved one has passed away?

If a relative dies in the hospital, their body is immediately taken to the hospital's morgue. Relatives must go to the attending physician or department head to obtain a doctor's certificate of death. In practice, relatives also agree with the doctor on performing an autopsy. There are cases when an autopsy is mandatory. In other cases, if relatives do not want an autopsy, they can agree that no autopsy will be performed. In this case, a request must be written stating that they ask for no autopsy, the cause of death is clear, and there are no complaints about the treatment.
The opposite situation is also possible - relatives are dissatisfied with the treatment and request an autopsy.

In Riga, there are two open cemeteries - Jaunciems and Bolderāja cemeteries. In these cemeteries, grave plots are allocated free of charge for Riga residents. Other cemeteries in Riga are partially closed, where burials take place in family grave plots, or completely closed, where burials no longer take place.
There is no charge for burying relatives in available spaces in existing family grave plots. In cases where the deceased has the right to be buried in a partially closed cemetery in a family grave plot, but it is already full and no further burials can take place, the director of the Riga City Council Housing and Environment Department can decide on granting new grave plot rental rights.

In each municipality, the period of time when head burial may be performed may differ and is regulated by the binding regulations of each municipality. In the cemeteries of Riga Municipality, head burial may be carried out after 20 years. In certain cases, with the permission of the Health Inspectorate, the term may be shorter. One burial is allowed. When performing surface burials, the depth of the grave must be no less than 1.2 m to the coffin lid.

The time period for when an additional burial can take place may differ in each municipality and is regulated by the binding regulations of each municipality. In Riga municipal cemeteries, an additional burial can be performed after 20 years. In some cases, with the permission of the Health Inspectorate, the term may be shorter. One additional burial is allowed. When performing additional burials, the depth of the grave must be at least 1.2 m to the lid of the coffin.
This term does not apply to burials if an urn is to be buried - the burial site for an urn is smaller and can be no less than 1 meter deep.