Fictitious Graves Are Multiplying: Here's What the Rules Say!

Public cemeteries (TPU) are becoming increasingly limited in big cities as the available burial land keeps shrinking. What's more, some people act dishonestly by reserving plots and creating fictitious graves in preparation for their own burial.

Some people are willing to pay millions of rupiah to secure a grave plot that suits their wishes. This service is usually offered by those who handle funerals. However, this booking practice is actually prohibited by government regulations. Read the full information here!

Rules on Fictitious Graves

Cases of fictitious graves are common in big cities where available land is limited. Jakarta's burial grounds are one example. Yet the procedure for permits to use burial land is clearly set out in regional government regulations.

Jakarta Provincial Regulation No. 3 of 2007 on Burial states that grave plots are intended only for the deceased. They may not be reserved or stockpiled for people who have not yet died.

Meanwhile, Government Regulation No. 9 of 1987 also states that a TPU is an area of land provided for burying the deceased for everyone, regardless of religion or group. Its management is carried out by the Level II regional government or the village government.

Penalties for Creating Fictitious Graves

The capital city government also explains that there are firm penalties for those who create fictitious burials. These rules are set out in Jakarta Regional Regulation No. 3 of 2007, Article 37.
The article states that the penalty for those who create fictitious burials is up to 3 months in prison and a maximum fine of IDR 50,000,000.00. In addition, if the party involved is a Civil Servant (PNS), the penalty is increased by removal from office.

involved is a Civil Servant (PNS), the penalty is increased by removal from office.

How to Tell a Fictitious Grave from a Real One

There are several signs that distinguish a fake grave from a real one, such as twin graves with the same identity, or a grave identified as an infant but sized for an adult. Here are some other ways you can tell a real grave from a fake one:

1. Density of the Grave Soil

If a grave is probed with a long iron rod and it goes all the way down to the bottom of the soil, the grave is real and there is a burial pit in it. However, if it cannot go down
all the way, you can be sure the grave is fake. Fake grave soil also feels harder and is difficult for iron to penetrate.

2. Condition of the Grass on the Grave

The grass on many fictitious graves usually looks neglected, because it is very long and uneven in size. This differs from the grass on real graves, which looks neat across the soil.

3. Information on the Headstone

The information on the headstone of a real grave is usually written in full, including the name, date of birth, and date of death. Fake graves usually only state
the name as the information, written with an ordinary marker.

4. Checking Administratively

The final step in distinguishing a fictitious grave from a real one is an administrative check. You can verify the burial land use permit (IPTM) with the local government. Then, contact the heirs or family of the person identified on the grave to confirm the grave plot is genuine.

Requirements for Obtaining a Burial Land Use Permit (IPTM)

Creating fictitious graves is a very harmful act. For that reason, as a responsible citizen, there are several requirements and documents you must prepare to legally apply for a burial land use permit at the village (kelurahan) office. The documents you must complete are:

• Original and photocopies of the family card (KK) and identity card (KTP) of the heirs or family.
• Original and photocopies of the KK and KTP of the deceased.
• Original and photocopies of the KK and KTP of the witness or close relative.
• Original and photocopy of the death certificate from the hospital.
• A death referral letter from the RT/RW.

So, with these requirements in place, you of course cannot reserve burial land for someone who has not yet died, which is also known as a fictitious burial.

Procedure for Arranging a Funeral

Here are the steps you can take to arrange a burial at a legal public cemetery (Tempat Pemakaman Umum, or TPU):

• First, visit the village office (kelurahan) matching the address on your KTP (Kartu Tanda Penduduk, or national ID card). The purpose is to request a death referral letter (surat pengantar kematian) by presenting the required documents.
• Next, go to the public cemetery to choose a grave plot and hand in the death referral letter from the village office.
• You will need to request a referral letter from the village office to process the Regional Retribution Assessment Letter (Surat Ketetapan Retribusi Daerah, or SKRD) for the cemetery block you are using.
• Then, go to the One-Stop Integrated Service counter (Pelayanan Terpadu Satu Pintu, or PTSP) to apply for a Grave Land Use Permit (Izin Pemakaian Tanah Makam, or IPTM). You also need to pay the retribution at the bank as required. After payment, you will receive a validation number, which you must submit back to the PTSP counter.
• Afterwards, return to the village office and hand in the validation number to receive your IPTM. You may then use facilities such as tents, chairs, a sound system, and grave-digging services free of charge, if these are available at the TPU you have chosen.
• The IPTM you obtain is valid for three years from the date of burial. Once the validity period has expired, you can extend it through village office and TPU staff.

Some areas, such as DKI Jakarta, have already introduced online systems for processing cemetery permits. You can even easily check the availability of grave plots online, including their units, blocks and locations.

Do You Know What a Fictitious Grave Is?

That covers fictitious graves and the legal procedures for arranging a burial. To make arranging a burial easier for you, you can make use of a comprehensive burial protection service, covering the handling of the body, cemetery reservations from Kamboja.

Kamboja will prepare everything you need, from headstones and coffins to funeral home decoration and other burial arrangements, in full. Kamboja also offers a range of packages that you can adjust to your budget. Let us prepare for life's final journey together with Kamboja!