responsibility finder
Schleswig-Holstein

We only need 2 pieces of information from you.

Where?

Specify your location to receive regionalized information.

What?

You searched in services/administrative services.

Selected service: Apply for the funeral costs to be covered
Information about "Apply for the funeral costs to be covered" was found.

Enter words here that describe what you are looking for (e.B. cut a tree) or a matter for citizens and companies (e.B. house construction, marriage).
Enter here names or the name of a body, office or authority you are looking for (e.B. Tax Office Kiel, Police Lübeck).

Apply for the funeral costs to be covered

Source: Zuständigkeitsfinder Schleswig-Holstein (Linie6Plus)

Service Description

If you are obliged to cover the funeral costs of a deceased person even though you do not have the financial means to do so yourself, you can apply to the social welfare provider to have the costs covered.

In the event of a death, the relatives of the deceased person usually have to take care of the funeral and cover the costs for the time being if the estate or other funds, such as from a death benefit insurance policy, are not sufficient or not sufficient in full to cover the funeral costs.

Who is obliged to cover the funeral costs is regulated by law. These may be the following persons:

  • contractually obligated persons
  • heirs
  • persons liable to pay maintenance
  • Persons obliged to pay for the funeral under the public funeral law of the federal states

If you are obliged to pay the costs of a funeral but are not in a financial position to do so, you can apply to the relevant social welfare office to have the costs covered. The social welfare office will then check to what extent you can reasonably be expected to bear the costs.

The social welfare office will cover the costs of a simple, appropriate and dignified funeral. This includes the reasonable costs for the coffin, mortuary and grave fees as well as the costs for laying out the grave. This also applies to urn burials. The costs of hospitality for mourners, for example, are not covered.

The social welfare office that provided social assistance for the deceased person until their death is responsible. However, if the deceased person did not receive social assistance, the social welfare office in whose area the place of death is located is responsible. If a person with German nationality who was not receiving social assistance dies abroad, responsibility depends on the individual case.


Process flow

If you wish to apply for assistance with funeral costs:

  • Submit an application to the responsible social welfare provider to have the costs covered.
  • If necessary, you must ask the responsible social welfare provider which costs will be covered in each individual case before appointing the funeral director,
  • The social welfare agency will check the documents you have submitted and your income and financial circumstances.
  • You will receive a notice of approval if all requirements are met.

The application must be made in writing.

Who should I contact?

District or independent city or, in the case of transfer, municipality or office

Requirements
  • You are obliged to pay the funeral costs.
  • Neither the estate of the deceased person nor other funds received as a result of the death, such as insurance payouts, will cover the funeral costs.
  • They cannot bear the costs from their own resources, or cannot bear them in full, or cannot reasonably be expected to bear the funeral costs.
  • The costs of the funeral are reasonable.
Which documents are required?

Evidence of the deceased person:

  • Listing and valuation of the estate with proof of assets, in particular:
    • Current account statement from the date of death
    • Savings books/investments
    • Residential property
    • Sum insured of life insurance policies
    • Copy of the vehicle registration certificate
    • Building society savings and similar
    • If available: Will or contract of inheritance
  • List of possible heirs and family members of the deceased (spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandchildren, grandparents or partners in a marriage-like relationship, other heirs)
  • Death certificate (as soon as this is available)

Proof of the applicant:

  • Certificate of inheritance, proof of inheritance if applicable
  • Copies of the type and amount of income for the last 3 months
  • Details of 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
  • Proof of the current rent amount or the charges in the case of residential property
  • if the application is submitted after the funeral: Original invoice from the funeral home
What are the fees?

There are no costs.

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

There is no deadline.

Legal basis
Appeal
  • Appeal within one month of notification of the administrative decision
  • Action before the social court within one month of notification of the objection decision
What else should I know?

You can also find out from local funeral directors which funeral costs are covered by social welfare.

Author

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Teaser

If you are obliged to cover the funeral costs of a deceased person even though you do not have the financial means to do so yourself, you can apply to the social welfare provider to have the costs covered.

Process flow

If you wish to apply for assistance with funeral costs:

  • Submit an application to the responsible social welfare provider to have the costs covered.
  • If necessary, you must ask the responsible social welfare provider which costs will be covered in each individual case before appointing the funeral director,
  • The social welfare agency will check the documents you have submitted and your income and financial circumstances.
  • You will receive a notice of approval if all requirements are met.

The application must be made in writing.

Who should I contact?

District or independent city or, in the case of transfer, municipality or office

Requirements

  • You are obliged to pay the funeral costs.
  • Neither the estate of the deceased person nor other funds received as a result of the death, such as insurance payouts, will cover the funeral costs.
  • They cannot bear the costs from their own resources, or cannot bear them in full, or cannot reasonably be expected to bear the funeral costs.
  • The costs of the funeral are reasonable.

Which documents are required?

Evidence of the deceased person:

  • Listing and valuation of the estate with proof of assets, in particular:
    • Current account statement from the date of death
    • Savings books/investments
    • Residential property
    • Sum insured of life insurance policies
    • Copy of the vehicle registration certificate
    • Building society savings and similar
    • If available: Will or contract of inheritance
  • List of possible heirs and family members of the deceased (spouse, children, parents, siblings, grandchildren, grandparents or partners in a marriage-like relationship, other heirs)
  • Death certificate (as soon as this is available)

Proof of the applicant:

  • Certificate of inheritance, proof of inheritance if applicable
  • Copies of the type and amount of income for the last 3 months
  • Details of 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
  • Proof of the current rent amount or the charges in the case of residential property
  • if the application is submitted after the funeral: Original invoice from the funeral home

What are the fees?

There are no costs.

What deadlines do I have to pay attention to?

There is no deadline.

Legal basis

Appeal

  • Appeal within one month of notification of the administrative decision
  • Action before the social court within one month of notification of the objection decision

What else should I know?

You can also find out from local funeral directors which funeral costs are covered by social welfare.

Author

The text was automatically translated based on the German content.

Further information and offers