Funeral expenses - Social assistance

In Germany, burial is compulsory. In the event of death, the relatives (in the order regulated by law) of the deceased are obliged to arrange for the funeral. They must also bear the costs incurred, which they can claim from the heir of the estate, if they are not heirs themselves.

If the relatives are not able to bear the funeral costs and the estate of the deceased is also insufficient, the relatives can apply for the funeral costs to be covered.

• if the deceased received social assistance: the social welfare office from which the deceased received social assistance
• if the deceased did not receive social assistance: the social welfare office of the place of death of the deceased

Proof of the deceased:

• Death certificate
• Preparation and valuation of the estate with proof of assets, in particular:
  • Complete current account statements of the last 3 months
  • Bankbooks
  • Investments
  • Home ownership
  • Sum insured for life insurance policies
  • Time value of the motor vehicle
  • Building savings and the like
• if available: will or contract of inheritance
• List of possible heirs and family members of the deceased (spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandchildren, grandparents or partners in a consensual union, other heirs)

Supporting documents provided by the applicant:

• Certificate of inheritance or proof of waiver of inheritance
• Copies of the type and amount of income of the last 3 months
• Information on other relatives of the deceased (e.g. heirs living in the household and relatives of the deceased)
• Proof of financial circumstances
• Proof of monthly charges
• Rental agreement and last rent increase declaration of the landlord (current rent amount)
• if the application is made after the funeral: original invoice from the funeral home

• The costs of the funeral are reasonable from the point of view of social welfare law.
• The deceased did not leave a sufficient estate.
• The heirs are not in a position to bear the costs from their own resources.
• There are no other persons who can be obliged to bear the costs.

A written application for payment of funeral expenses must be submitted to the competent authority. The easiest way is to go to the authority with the necessary documents and fill out the application there as part of a consultation.
 

The application can be made before or after a funeral. However, it is advisable to make the application before the funeral or at least to discuss the matter with the competent authority.

Which costs are covered in individual cases is determined by the social welfare office at its dutiful discretion.

The aid is income- and asset-dependent. There are fixed maximum amounts for the costs of the individual funeral components. Any additional costs will not be paid by the social welfare office.

Usually, the costs of a simple coffin and a wooden cross are covered. The furnishing of the funeral hall and the grave with flowers as well as the assumption of the costs for a stone gravestone will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

If the relatives have opted for cremation, the social welfare office can also cover the costs of an urn.