Permit to Relocate an Unclaimed Grave — 2 Public Notices, a 3-Month Period, and Reporting After Cremation and Enshrinement

Procedure

1. 1. Check the grave's condition and land ownership

   On site, check the grave's location, number, mound condition and whether there is a marker such as a headstone, and take the photographs of the grave to attach to the application. Confirm through the land register and the certified copy of the land registry that the applicant owns the land, and organize the background showing the grave was installed without the owner's consent. These materials form the basis of the application's statement of reasons why the relatives are unknown and the proof-of-ownership documents.

2. 2. Notify the relatives or publish a public notice

   The notification or notice states the location of the grave, the reason for relocation, where and for how long the remains will be placed after relocation, and the landowner's name, address and contact details, and sets a period of at least 3 months. If the relatives are known, this is sent to them in writing; if they are unknown, it is published at least 2 times either in 2 or more daily newspapers (including at least 1 national daily) or on the website of the relevant province or city, county or district and in at least 1 daily newspaper. The second notice is published after 40 days have passed since the first.

3. 3. Submit the grave relocation permit application

   If the relatives are still unknown after the notice period ends, submit a grave relocation permit application to the city, county or district office with jurisdiction over the grave. Attach photographs of the grave, the reasons why the relatives are unknown, documents proving ownership of the land, documents proving that the grave's relatives have no right to use the land, and the notification or public notice; the land (forest) register and land registry information are checked by the official in charge through shared administrative information. The form lists a processing period of 3 days, and once approved a grave relocation permit is issued.

4. 4. Relocation, cremation and 5-year enshrinement

   After receiving the relocation permit, open the grave, cremate the body or remains, and enshrine the remains in an enshrinement facility for 5 years. When the enshrinement period ends, the remains are scattered at a facility for scattering cremated remains within a funeral facility or given a natural burial. Book the crematorium and arrange the enshrinement facility contract in advance to match the relocation date.

5. 5. Report the disposal

   After cremating, enshrining and disposing of the remains following the public notice, you must report this to the relevant city, county or district office. Relocating without notification or public notice, failing to follow the enshrinement period and disposal method, or failing to report the disposal is subject to an administrative fine. Keep the relocation permit and the cremation and enshrinement certificates until the process is complete.

Required documents

• Grave relocation permit application (Enforcement Rules of the Act on Funeral Services, Etc., Annexed Form No. 3)
• Photographs of the existing grave
• Statement of reasons why the grave's relatives are unknown
• Documents proving that the cemetery or land is owned by the applicant
• Documents proving that the grave's relatives have no right to use the land
• Notification or public notice (newspaper pages, copy of the website notice)
• Letter of authorization (when submitted by a representative)

Fees

Typically tens of thousands to several hundred thousand won in the industry · We provide a quote after consultation, depending on the number of graves, whether the relatives are identified, the notice method and whether reporting of the disposal is included. Government fees, newspaper notice costs and cremation and enshrinement costs are separate.

See fees and official charges for this service →

Legal basis and review date

• Act on Funeral Services, Etc., Article 2
• Act on Funeral Services, Etc., Article 8
• Act on Funeral Services, Etc., Article 27
• Act on Funeral Services, Etc., Article 40
• Act on Funeral Services, Etc., Article 42
• Enforcement Decree of the Act on Funeral Services, Etc., Article 26-2
• Enforcement Rules of the Act on Funeral Services, Etc., Article 14
• Enforcement Rules of the Act on Funeral Services, Etc., Article 18
• Enforcement Rules of the Act on Funeral Services, Etc., Annexed Form No. 3
• Criminal Act, Article 160

Checked against the statutes on 2026-10-10

Statutes and public notices change, so each case needs to be checked individually. Statute titles are given in English for reference. The Korean statutes are the authoritative text.

Check these first

• A permit can be applied for only after 2 notices 40 days apart and a notice period of at least 3 months, so if you plan to sell the land or start construction, begin with the public notice first.
• Even after the permit is granted, the process ends only when cremation, enshrinement and the disposal report are complete, so keep the supporting certificates.

Frequently asked questions