A total of 244 deceased individuals are affected by the expiration of cemetery concessions in the cemeteries of Acquaviva, Serravalle and Faetano. The Republic of San Marino has published the first lists of the burials involved, while exhumation operations are expected to begin starting in April 2027.
Specifically, 66 names are listed in Acquaviva, all located in wall niches; 140 in Serravalle, of which 123 are in niches and 17 in ossuaries; and 38 in Faetano, with 34 burials in niches and four in ossuaries.
The initiative falls under the new regulations governing older cemetery concessions, introduced by Delegated Decree no. 118 of 12 August 2026, which was recently ratified by the Grand and General Council (Consiglio Grande e Generale).
Relatives of the deceased named on the lists now have the opportunity to decide how to proceed. In the cases provided for by the regulations, even a single family member may submit a request, without the need for joint action by all relatives.
Options include renewing the concession for a further 40 years, or transferring the mortal remains or ashes to another burial plot already under concession, while retaining its original expiration date.
If no decision is communicated before exhumation operations begin, the remains and ashes will be transferred to the common ossuary.
For concessions expiring on 31 December 2026, the costs of the operations will be covered by the State. This includes the opening and closing of burial vaults, disposal of materials, and any necessary cremation. However, the costs of new concessions and gravestones will remain the responsibility of the families.
There is also the option to voluntarily relinquish the concession, by submitting a written request to the Civil Registry Office (Ufficio Stato Civile) specifying the intended destination of the remains. In such cases, the State will cover the costs required to clear the burial site.
Those who relinquish their concession will also receive compensation equal to 80% of the current rate for each remaining year of the concession.
Exhumations will be carried out gradually across the various cemeteries. The process will begin with burials for which no alternative destination for the remains has been indicated, or for which no rightful claimants have been identified. These will be followed by concessions that have been voluntarily relinquished and those for which relatives have submitted specific requests, with priority given to the oldest cases.
At least one Civil Police officer will be present during the operations. Any jewelry or other valuables found will be recorded and kept in custody by the Corps, pending identification of the rightful heirs.
For clarifications and further information, the Public Administration has set up the phone line 0549 885329, available Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Inquiries can also be sent by email to disposizionispeciali.poliziamortuaria@pa.sm.
The first phase therefore concerns Acquaviva, Serravalle and Faetano, for which the lists of deceased individuals affected by the upcoming operations have now been made public.
