Funeral Costs Assistance

The amount of Funeral Costs Assistance varies depending on the place of death. However, the social services office will only cover costs that are directly related to the funeral and that are necessary for a simple yet dignified funeral in accordance with local customs. Typically, the following costs are covered, for example:

• Postmortem examination  
• A simple coffin with a liner
• Simple floral arrangements
• Preparation of the deceased
• Lying in state and simple decorations at the funeral service, organ music, a eulogist, or a clergy member
• For cremation: Cremation and a simple urn
• Transport to the cemetery
• Opening and closing of the grave
• Initial planting of the grave
• Public fees

Important: There may be local variations depending on the specific case. For example, whether the costs for a simple headstone or grave marker can be covered by social services depends on the location of the burial. In some cases, a wooden cross bearing the name may also be considered sufficient. 

Costs incurred as a result of the death but not directly related to the funeral itself are generally not covered by social services. These include costs for:

• Travel
• Mourning attire
• Obituary
• Organizing a (subsequent) memorial service
• Extension of the burial rights

Whether it is “reasonable” to expect someone to bear funeral expenses is always assessed on a case-by-case basis. First and foremost, the financial circumstances of the person responsible for the funeral play a role. If the person responsible for the funeral is in need, they cannot reasonably be expected to cover the funeral costs for that reason alone. This is not the case if an existing inheritance can be utilized. 

In addition to the financial situation, however, the family relationship and the personal connection to the deceased must also be taken into account. The closer this relationship was, the more likely it is that the person responsible for the funeral will be expected to cover the costs themselves. 

Important: A lack of personal closeness between the person responsible for the funeral and the deceased alone is not sufficient to determine that bearing the costs is “unreasonable.” However, in exceptional cases, bearing the costs may be deemed unreasonable. This is the case, for example, if the deceased can be shown to have committed serious misconduct toward the relative obligated to cover the costs (such as physical violence or sexual abuse). Breaking off contact or neglecting care or upbringing, on the other hand, is not sufficient.  

The social services office may cover only a portion of the funeral costs. This applies, for example, in the following cases:

• The person’s own income and assets are sufficient to cover part of the funeral costs themselves.
• There are other individuals who are required to cover the funeral costs.

The applicant must submit the following documents, among others (along with the completed application): 

• A copy of the death certificate
• Proof of the deceased person’s life and/or death benefit insurance
• Proof of the value of the estate
• A copy of the deceased person’s most recent pension award notices (widow’s, old-age, disability, and other pensions)
• If already available, a copy of the contract with the funeral home
• If a burial was arranged by the public order office: Notice of benefits from the public order office

If social benefits such as basic income support, basic security benefits, or benefits under the Asylum Seekers Benefits Act are being received: 

• Bank statements for all accounts from three months prior to the date of death through the date the applicant submitted the application, for the applicant and all persons living in the same household
• the respective approval notice

Important: The date on which the cost claim becomes due is decisive for assessing financial need. This can be determined, for example, based on the contract with the funeral home or the municipality’s official fee notice. 

If no social benefits are received: 

• Proof of income (for example, pay stubs, a notice of benefits from the employment office, a certificate from the health insurance provider regarding the amount of any sick pay received, proof of alimony payments, and pension notices for the applicant and all household members)
• Proof of current housing costs (for example, the most recent rent increase notice; for homeowners, proof of all expenses such as property tax, utilities, trash collection, chimney sweeping, etc.)
• Proof of all existing insurance policies (policies, most recent premium invoices for, for example, home contents/liability insurance, Riester pensions, life and death insurance for the applicant and all household members); for savings-based insurance policies, proof of the current cash value is also required
• Possible proof of special financial burdens
• Proof of existing assets (such as savings accounts, savings agreements, stocks, etc.)

Important: The required documents may vary by region. Your local agency will inform you which documents must be submitted.

You do not need to adhere to any official deadlines. It is recommended that you clarify the issue of cost coverage with the appropriate agency in a timely manner, preferably before the funeral. This will also allow you to receive guidance on which funeral costs may be covered.

If it is unreasonable to expect the family to cover the funeral expenses, the social services office will bear the costs. If the deceased received social assistance, the social services office that granted that benefit is responsible. Otherwise, the social services office in the place of death is responsible. 

If the deceased leaves an estate, the heirs are primarily responsible for covering the funeral expenses. These include, for example: 

• persons entitled to inherit who have not renounced the inheritance
• the spouse
• the registered domestic partner
• (adult) children
• parents
• (adult) siblings
• Grandparents
• (adult) grandchildren 

If there is no spouse or domestic partner, the children must cover the costs. If the deceased person also has no children, other relatives are examined to determine whether they may be obligated to cover the costs.

If there are no heirs or if the inheritance has been renounced, the obligation to cover the costs may also arise from maintenance law provisions. 

If no person can be identified under inheritance or support law, an obligation may arise from state-level cemetery and burial regulations. These regulations may vary by state. As a rule, they apply to the next of kin. Even a person who has renounced an inheritance may be obligated to cover the costs under these regulations.