Catholics were redirected to the cemetery according to their faith. Lacking their own burial sites near the new church, the Luther congregation approached the Riga city authorities in the 1890s with a request to allocate land for a cemetery. In response, the management committee decided to locate the new cemetery on undeveloped land in Ziepniekkalns. Similar land was also allocated to the St. John's congregation.
The first burials at Ziepniekkalns Cemetery began in 1891, and by 1897, it also housed a Catholic cemetery, the only one in Pārdaugava. In 1923, a ceremonial consecration of the cemetery's bell and manor took place. In 1999, the local city government allocated additional land for the cemetery's expansion, planning to accommodate approximately 600 new graves.
Today, Ziepniekkalns Cemetery is managed by the Riga Cemetery Authority. Its area is 9.7 hectares, and it is partially enclosed, meaning there is no space for new burials.
Address of Ziepniekkalns Cemetery
The cemetery's coordinates on the map are: 56.907111, 24.107351.
Cemetery address:
Malu Street, 19, Riga, LV-2123.
Ziepniekkalns Cemetery Contact Phone Number
For information, please call the funeral service
+371 2944 9849
Opening Hours of the Cemetery on Malu Street
- Summer (April 1 to October 31): 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM;
- Winter (November 1 to March 31): 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM;
- On Memorial Day and other commemoration days, opening hours are determined by the cemetery administration.
Cemetery Administration Hours
Tue - Sat: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM;
Sun - Mon: Closed.
How to get to the cemetery on Malu Street
You can get to the cemetery by bus: No. 13, 21, 39, 56, 36, 37, 46.
Ziepniekkalns Cemetery Services
This historic necropolis operates behind closed doors and does not offer space for new free burials. Ziepniekkalns Cemetery only allows for second burials at the graves of deceased relatives.
Reburials are free of charge, but sometimes some existing headstones must be removed to prepare for the burial of relatives. After the burial, these structures are restored, and a fee is charged for the work involved.
Therefore, the price of services at the Malu Street Cemetery is determined based on the required scope of work and its complexity.
How to obtain a plot at the Malu Street Cemetery
This cemetery permits burials only in the graves of close relatives. A second burial with a coffin must be performed within twenty years of the previous burial. There is no time limit for urn burials.
Obtaining a burial permit
At the Ziepniekkalns Cemetery in Riga, burials in existing graves of close relatives are possible. Burial can be carried out either by burying the body in a coffin or by placing an urn with ashes. To obtain the appropriate permit from the Malu Street Cemetery administration, you must present a death certificate, documents confirming the relationship, and a completed application with the applicant's personal documents.
Funeral arrangements at Ziepniekkalns Cemetery in Riga
The professional staff of the Riga CITY FUNERAL SERVICE is ready to provide comprehensive support in organizing and conducting burials. For consultations, please call +371 2944 9849. We are available 24 hours a day.
Funeral services at Ziepniekkalns Cemetery
How much does a funeral at Ziepniekkalns Cemetery cost
All essential services for cremation
Optimal set of goods and services for cremation
Extended cremation set with farewell in the hall
All essential services for burial
Optimal set of goods and services for burial
Extended burial set with farewell in the hall
Funeral plans may be subject to adjustment.
Changing the funeral plan will allow for a more personalized and meaningful farewell ceremony that reflects the uniqueness and importance of the deceased to their loved ones and community.
Client reviews
We contacted the Riga City Funeral Service—the staff was attentive and promptly processed all the necessary paperwork. The ceremony was organized with respect and appropriate level—without unnecessary formality, but with a dignified approach. Next time, I might clarify the details online, but overall, we were satisfied.
Excellent service during a difficult time: professional, personable, and calm. The staff helped with all the paperwork and offered advice on how to best organize the funeral. I recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable and discreet service.
What are the opening hours of Ziepniekkalns Cemetery?
In summer (1 April–31 October) 7:00–21:00, in winter (1 November–31 March) 8:00–18:00. The cemetery administration works Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00–16:00.
Can I get a new burial plot at Ziepniekkalns Cemetery?
Most Riga cemeteries are closed to new burials — burial in family graves is allowed: a coffin no earlier than 20 years after the previous burial, with no time limit for an urn. The Riga City Funeral Service will clarify the exact conditions by phone +371 2944 9849.
How much does a funeral at Ziepniekkalns Cemetery cost?
The cost depends on the scope of services. The Riga City Funeral Service arranges funerals within the VSAA allowance — get an individual quote by phone +371 2944 9849.
Who can arrange a funeral at Ziepniekkalns Cemetery?
The Riga City Funeral Service handles the full arrangement: documents, hearse, grave preparation, the farewell ceremony and the monument.
Riga Cemeteries on the Map
