Frequently Asked Questions
Q&A
Who owns the Non-Catholic Cemetery?
The Non-Catholic Cemetery is privately managed under the responsibility of an association formed by 15 embassies in Rome which have nationals buried in the Cemetery. The embassies are: Australia – Canada – Denmark – Germany – Finland – Greece – Ireland – Netherlands – Norway – Russian Federation – South Africa – Sweden – Switzerland – United Kingdom – United States of America.
How is the Cemetery funded?
The Cemetery is entirely self-supporting through the fees charged for the concession of plots for burial, and from the annual maintenance payments that concession-holders pay. It also relies on private contributions and grants to pay for essential conservation and maintenance work.
How can I contribute to the Cemetery?
We ask you to contribute at least €5.00 each for your visit. You may also like to become a Friend of the Cemetery. Brochures about membership are available in the Visitor Centre.
I am looking for a specific grave – is there a complete list of them?
Yes, you can consult the Burials Database. If you are visiting the Cemetery, you can consult the same database in the Visitor Centre (ask the person there to help you). If you still have queries, please send us an email at mail@cemeteryrome.it
Is it still possible to be buried in the Cemetery?
Yes, the cemetery is still active. Burials are permitted both in existing family graves, renewed graves and in small plots for cinerary urns.
Who can be buried nowadays in the cemetery?
For more information, you can write to mail@cemeteryrome.it.
Why are there so many Italian names on graves in the Cemetery?
An Italian or a Catholic may be buried in the Cemetery only if he/she is the partner, spouse or child of a person already buried in the Cemetery.
In addition, Article 16 of our Statute allows the President of the Association to grant burial to Italians of outstanding, international importance. These sorts of exceptions are increasingly rare.
When was the first burial made in the Cemetery?
The first burial that we know was made here in 1716. The earliest grave of which traces have been found is that of George Langton who died in 1738, and the earliest stone monument is that of George Werpup who died in 1765. In the Old Cemetery (Parte Antica) you can visit several graves dating from the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Am I allowed to take photos or to shoot videos in the Cemetery?
Visitors may take photos as a token of their visit, but we ask you to limit them as much as possible in light of the site’s function as an active cemetery. Out of respect to the families of those who lay to rest here, photos may not be posted on any form of social media.
Permission to shoot commercial or documentary films or to publish photos must be sought from the Director of the Cemetery at direttore@cemeteryrome.it. If granted, this permission is subject to rights and due fees being agreed.
Is it possible to get into the Pyramid from the Cemetery?
No, the entrance is from Piazzale Ostiense. The Pyramid is occasionally open for guided visits but you must make reservations through the Soprintendenza/ the Ministry of Culture.
Who looks after the cats around the Pyramid? Can I help them?
The Gatti della Piramide have their own website in English, Italian and German. You can become a volunteer and/or donate some money.
A cat colony has existed here since at least 1850!
Who can be buried nowadays in the Cemetery?
The Cemetery is an active one in which burials and other forms of commemoration can still take place today.
The information given here is based on an explanation of two official documents, the Statute of the Non-Catholic Cemetery in Rome (revised in 2018) and the Cemetery Regulations (revised in 2020). In any question of interpretation, these two documents take precedence over the text below.
Who is entitled to be buried in the Cemetery?
1.1. You can be buried in the cemetery if (a) you are a citizen of one of the following countries and (b) are not of the Roman Catholic faith and (c) at the time of your death are effectively a resident of Italy:
Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States of America.
1.2. If you are a citizen of another state, are not of the Roman Catholic faith and at the time of your death a resident of Italy, you may be buried in the Cemetery subject to the approval of the President of the Assembly of Ambassadors.
1.3. If you are an Italian citizen or of the Catholic faith and are either the spouse or the mother/father or the son/daughter of someone qualified under (1.1) and (1.2) above, you may – subject to the approval of the President – be buried in the Cemetery but only in the same tomb as the qualified person already deceased and only if space permits.
1.4 The rights regarding spouses (see 1.3) can apply to you if you were a live-in partner of the deceased, so long as you can document cohabitation for at least five years.
1.5 If your spouse is Italian or Catholic and survives you but then re-marries, he/she loses the right to be buried in the same tomb as you (the same applies to partners, see 1.4 above).
Can burial in the Cemetery be arranged prior to death?
2.1 You can request a concession for burial in the Cemetery prior to death, but only if you meet the requirements of 1.1 above and are over 75 years old or in the terminal stages of an incurable disease (medical documentation needed).
2.2 If you are granted a pre-concession under 2.1 (above), it will be considered retracted if you subsequently convert to Catholicism or surrender your non-Italian citizenship.
For more details and for information about other forms of commemoration available in the Cemetery, please contact mail@cemeteryrome.it or call the Cemetery from Monday through Friday: +39 06 5741900.
AREA RESERVED FOR CONCESSION HOLDERS
If you are a concession holder and have a burial area within the cemetery you can access this reserved area where you can find important communications, documentation and detailed instructions on related topics.
To access the service you will need the authentication credentials mentioned in the concession contract. Otherwise, these can be provided to you directly by the Cemetery’s office staff.
