A burial plot through "Gosuslugi": how digitalization will change the funeral industry

      On August 14, 2026, 11:55 Society In Russia, there are plans to create a unified system that will allow searching and booking burial plots through the state services portal. This innovation aims to simplify and increase the transparency of the funeral industry. It is expected that by the end of the current year, the service will be available in six regions, and later it will be expanded to another 15 subjects. As part of the project, information about 14,000 cemeteries will be added to the National Spatial Data System. A budget of 295.5 million rubles will be allocated for the implementation of the initiative.

      Current situation with burial plots

      As of today, there are about 73,000 cemeteries and 33 crematoria in Russia. According to the federal law "On Burial and Funeral Services," burial plots must be provided free of charge. However, in practice, this rule is often not followed, said funeral industry expert Evgeny Kozlov to 360.ru. Plots are indeed allocated for free, but they may already be improved, and separate payment will be required for these enhancements.

      From a legal standpoint, the burial site is provided free of charge, but all additional work is carried out at the expense of the deceased's relatives.

      Problems and prospects

      The creation of a unified cemetery booking system should reduce the number of bureaucratic procedures and simplify the registration process. Alexey Suloev, President of the Association of Crematoria of Russia, notes that a significant portion of the procedures related to burial remains complex and opaque. The digital service can help speed up the process and make it clearer for families.

      Evgeny Kozlov added that discussions about creating such a service have been ongoing for a long time, but so far they have not led to significant changes. He also points out that in some regions, lawlessness still thrives, leading to difficulties accessing cemeteries.

      Examples of successful implementation

      In Moscow, there is already a similar registry that can be found on the portal ritual.mos.ru from the State Budgetary Institution "Ritual." On the portal, one can choose a burial site based on an auction or a death certificate. Evgeny Kozlov hopes that this practice will be spread throughout the country.

      The need for changes

      Expert Kozlov noted that in the West, it is common to plan funerals in advance and, by the age of 55, when insurance costs rise, to choose organizations that will take care of the burial after death, transferring insurance money there.

      In Russia, elderly people of "Soviet upbringing" also take care of their burial in advance, preparing the necessary items and funds. However, modern society avoids discussing negative topics, including death.

      "Today, the society of Zoomers and pseudo-psychologists promotes the idea that nothing negative should be discussed, and one should take care of oneself. Because of this, the funeral industry has become a closed topic," said Kozlov.

      However, such a situation creates fertile ground for fraudsters, who can easily deceive grieving relatives.

      The expert recommends preparing in advance for the final journey, including contacting a funeral firm, purchasing a burial plot, and drafting an official declaration with details of the ceremony and burial site. This will help avoid unpleasant situations and hasty decisions. The NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+.