Opinion by Letter No 20 – New Forms of Burial

Published on June 25, 2025, Opinion by Letter No 20 concerns new forms of burial.

Opinion No 87 – Burial Policy by Municipalities for Persons Considered Indigent

On 22 April 2025, the Belgian Advisory Committee on Bioethics publishes its Opinion No 87 concerning the burial policy by municipalities for persons considered indigent and/or socially isolated. This opinion follows a question posed by Mr. Christophe Collignon, then Walloon Minister of Housing, Local Authorities and the City. The Committee examines whether, and under what conditions, a municipality may resort to cremation as a standard practice for these persons, in the absence of a known expression of their will.

Opinion No 82 – Status of Human Remains

What is the status of human remains in public and private collections?

In this opinion, the Advisory Committee on Bioethics of Belgium examines the question of the status of human remains in museum and scientific collections, as well as in private collections.

Opinion No 79 – New Forms of Burial

In this opinion, the Advisory Committee on Bioethics of Belgium examines to what extent new forms of burial can be ethically accepted from a societal and political perspective.