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Death and burial

Assumption of funeral costs

In Germany, relatives of deceased persons must make funeral arrangements. In some cases, the Office for Social Security covers the costs.

Competent authority

Description

In Germany, burial is compulsory.

This means that the relatives of the deceased person must take care of the funeral (in the order stipulated by law). If you, as a relative, are not one of the heirs, dependants or persons obligated under the Funeral Decree, you can claim the costs of the funeral from this group of people.

In the case of these "obligated parties", the Office for Social Security will, under certain conditions, cover the necessary funeral costs. The "necessary costs" of a burial are deemed to be total costs of up to 3,600 euros (including grave memorial) for burials in the city of Munich. For cremations, the amount is up to 3,000 euros. In principle, however, the individual case must be considered, as the costs vary greatly.

Depending on the income and assets of the person making the application, the Office for Social Security may cover the necessary funeral costs if this is applied for promptly after becoming aware of the obligation to bear the costs.

However, the Social Security Office will only cover the costs if claims, for example against the heirs, have already been exhausted.

People who feel morally obliged to commission the funeral but have no legal obligation to do so (e.g. neighbours, friends and partners) cannot have the costs reimbursed.

If no one commissions the funeral, the regulatory authority (Munich Municipal Cemeteries) will take care of it. In case of doubt , it should be clarified with the regulatory authority and the responsible social community centre whether there is a legal obligation and whether the funeral costs are reasonable.

Special contact points

Required documents

Proof of income and assets of the applicant and, if applicable, proof of inheritance and certificate of inheritance.

Duration & Costs

Processing time

The processing time can take several months, as enquiries may have to be made to the probate court.

Fees

There are no fees.

Legal basis

§ Section 74 of the Twelfth Book of the Social Code (SGB XII)

Find out the competent authority

Related services

Anonymous burial

In the anonymous burial ground at the Waldfriedhof cemetery, urns are buried anonymously outside cemetery opening hours and without relatives.

Death certificate in the event of death abroad

If German nationals have died abroad, you as a relative can have the death certified in Germany.

Conclusion of a funeral contract

We offer the complete organisation of a funeral or repatriation. Our services correspond to those of private funeral parlours.

Burial ex officio

Deceased persons for whom no burial order is issued are buried ex officio.

Coffin burial

The municipal cemeteries offer coffin or earth burial. We discuss dates and details personally with the client.

Burial in the hedge gardens

The "Heckengärten" at the Perlacher Forst cemetery is the first maintenance-free communal burial ground where coffins and urns can be buried together.

Burial of foetuses and stillborn children

At the Waldfriedhof cemetery, parents of stillborn children and foetuses have the opportunity to have their children buried in a communal area.

Urn burial

The urn burial, together with the coffin or burial in the ground, is the service offered by Munich Municipal Cemeteries in the funeral business.

Burial under trees

Urn burial plots under trees are offered in selected near-natural burial plots in the forest cemetery.