Clan and Family Cemetery Installation Permit and Individual Cemetery Report

Procedure

Procedure

1. 01

   Determine the cemetery type and procedure: A site holding only one grave or the grave of that person's spouse is an individual cemetery, reported within 30 days after installation; a family cemetery for relatives and a clan cemetery for clan members require a permit before installation. Failing to report an individual cemetery is subject to a fine of up to KRW 3 million.

2. 02

   Review restricted areas and distance standards: Using the land use plan confirmation and cadastral/forest maps, check whether the site falls within prohibited areas under Article 17 of the Act and Article 22 of the Decree, such as water source protection zones, cultural heritage protection zones, and restricted green areas. Individual and family cemeteries must be at least 200m from roads, railways, and river zones and 300m from residential clusters and schools; clan cemeteries 300m and 500m respectively, unless the mayor, county head, or district head recognizes no hindrance.

3. 03

   Plan the area and grave form: Keep a family cemetery within 100㎡ and a clan cemetery within 1,000㎡, with each grave and its tombstone area not exceeding 10㎡ (15㎡ for joint burial). Mounds must be 1m or lower and flat graves 50cm or lower; stone walls and access stairs must stay within the permitted area, and areas without graves are to be greened with grass or trees.

4. 04

   Confirm the clan's resolution and land ownership: A clan cemetery requires the clan bylaws or documents proving the clan's decision, such as general meeting minutes, and proof that the land is owned by the clan. A family cemetery requires a family relationship certificate together with proof of land ownership or the landowner's consent, so the registered title and the resolution should be aligned before applying.

5. 05

   Prepare and submit the application: For family and clan cemeteries, submit the installation permit application (Enforcement Rule Form No. 5 of the Act on Funeral Services, etc.) with a floor plan (a surveyed plan for clan cemeteries) and a location map or photos to the competent city, county, or district office. For an individual cemetery, submit the installation report (Form No. 4). Land registers and the land use plan confirmation are checked by the official through shared administrative information.

6. 06

   Compliance check, permit issuance, and changes: The mayor, county head, or district head notifies the applicant to carry out the application, confirms completion of installation work, and issues the installation permit (Form No. 6). If the cemetery is 100㎡ or larger, the deemed mountain land conversion permit does not apply and separate mountain land permits are needed; changes to area, stone walls, access roads, or the clan cemetery manager require a change permit.

Filing route

Filing route

Deadlines & processing notes

Deadlines & processing notes

Basic documents

Basic documents

Family and clan cemeteries must be installed only after the permit is granted; building graves first and applying afterward may be treated as unpermitted installation, punishable by imprisonment of up to 2 years or a fine of up to KRW 20 million.