Lithuania may reintroduce fees for urn niches in municipal columbaria

A proposal to reintroduce fees for urn niches in columbaria funded by municipalities has sparked public backlash, according to a report by Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT).

The Lithuanian parliament (Seimas) is considering amendments that would allow municipalities to charge for niches in columbaria—structures for storing cremated remains—built with public funds. Lawmakers argue the move would encourage the expansion of columbaria, which have become overcrowded since fees were abolished nearly two and a half years ago. Currently, only privately operated columbaria charge for niches, while municipal ones remain free.

Critics, however, say the proposal undermines social equity. “If regular burial plots are free, then columbaria should be too,” one resident told LRT. Another argued that fees would disproportionately burden lower-income families, suggesting subsidies for those in need.

Supporters of the change, including Tomas Tomilinas of the Democratic “For Lithuania” faction, claim free services create unsustainable financial burdens for municipalities. “If we demand free services, we risk deficits like in Soviet times,” he said. Some local governments, like Alytus, have already shifted columbarium management to private operators to avoid costs.

The amendments would let municipalities set their own one-time fees, which could range from a symbolic one euro to amounts covering construction costs. Panevėžys officials noted prices would reflect current building expenses. The proposal requires a final parliamentary vote before taking effect in July.