Funeral expenses - Social assistance

  • Performance specification

    In Germany, burial is compulsory. In the event of a death, the relatives of the deceased are obliged to arrange for the burial. They must also bear the costs incurred.

    If the relatives are not in a position to bear the funeral costs and the estate of the deceased is also insufficient to do so, the relatives can apply to have the funeral costs paid.

  • Process flow

    A written application for the assumption of funeral costs must be submitted to the competent social welfare office.

    The corresponding application can be requested from the person in charge by telephone or downloaded from the following link, as far as the district of Waldeck-Frankenberg is responsible.

    The documents to be submitted with the application can be found in the information sheet available at the following link.

  • Competent body

    Letter
    Clerk
    A - JLea Vesper
    K - ZDaniela Kalusha

  • Requirements

    • The deceased did not leave a sufficient estate to cover the necessary funeral expenses.
    • The obligated parties are not in a position to bear the costs from their own resources (income and assets) or they cannot reasonably be expected to bear the costs.
      • The obligated parties are in order of priority:
        • indentured servants
        • Heirs
        • Person liable to pay maintenance
    • Persons liable for burial according to § 13 Cemetery and Burial Act

  • Which documents are required?

  • What deadlines do I have to observe?

    The application can be made before or shortly after a funeral. It is advisable to discuss the matter with the clerk.

  • What else should I know?

    The Social Welfare Office determines which costs will be covered in each individual case at its own discretion.

    The Social Welfare Office has set guideline values for the costs of the individual funeral components. The Social Welfare Office will not pay any costs above and beyond these.
     
     


Who do I need to contact?

  • if the deceased received benefits under SGB XII: the social welfare office from which the deceased received these benefits
  • if the deceased did not receive benefits according to SGB XII: the social welfare office of the place where the deceased died

Responsible departments

Responsible staff