Funeral Expenses - Social Assistance
Service description
In Germany, there is a legal obligation to arrange a funeral. In the event of a death, the deceased’s next of kin (in the order specified by law) are obligated to arrange for the funeral. They are also responsible for covering the associated costs, which they may claim from the heir to the estate—provided they are not heirs themselves.
If the next of kin are unable to cover the funeral costs and the deceased’s estate is also insufficient to do so, the next of kin may apply for the funeral costs to be covered.Procedure
You must submit a written application to the appropriate agency requesting coverage of funeral expenses. The easiest way is to go to the agency with the required documents and fill out the application there during a consultation.
Prerequisites
- The cost of the funeral is reasonable under social welfare law.
- The deceased did not leave behind sufficient assets.
- The heirs are unable to cover the costs from their own funds.
- There are no other individuals who can be required to cover the costs.
What documents are required?
Documents belonging to the deceased:
- Death Certificate
- Inventory and valuation of the estate, including a statement of assets, in particular:
- Complete checking account statements for the last 3 months
- Savings Accounts
- Investments
- Homeownership
- Insurance Coverage Amount for Life Insurance Policies
- Current market value of the motor vehicle
- Home Savings Balances and Similar Accounts
- If available: will or inheritance agreement
- List of the deceased’s potential heirs and family members (spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandchildren, grandparents, or domestic partners, and other heirs)
Documentation provided by the applicant:
- Certificate of Inheritance or Proof of Renunciation of Inheritance
- Copies showing the type and amount of income for the last 3 months
- Information about other relatives of the deceased (e.g., heirs and relatives of the deceased living in the same household)
- Proof of financial circumstances
- Proof of Monthly Debits
- Lease agreement and the landlord's most recent rent increase notice (current rent amount)
- If the application is submitted after the funeral: Original invoice from the funeral home
What fees apply?
The Social Services Office determines which costs will be covered in each individual case, exercising its discretion in accordance with its duties.
Assistance is means-tested, based on income and assets. There are set maximum amounts for the costs of the individual components of a funeral. Costs exceeding these limits will not be covered by the Social Welfare Office. Typically
, the costs of a simple coffin and a wooden cross are covered. Decisions regarding the decoration of the funeral hall and the grave with flowers, as well as coverage of the costs for a stone headstone, are made on a case-by-case basis. If the next of kin have
opted for cremation, the Social Welfare Office may also cover the costs of an urn.What deadlines do I have to observe?
The application may be submitted either before or after a funeral. However, it is advisable to submit the application before the funeral or, at the very least, to discuss the matter with the appropriate authority.
Legal basis
Issuing body
Forwarding service: Deep link to the original portal- Funeral Costs - Social Assistance in Hesse
Display of performance in the source portal
- Funeral Costs - Social Assistance in Hesse