What should be done in the event of a death?

• In the event of a death at home, a doctor should always be informed. The doctor will issue the death certificate. In the event of suicide or accidental death, the police must be informed, the doctor will do this. In the event of death in a hospital or nursing home, the doctor will be called automatically.
• If deceased in hospital: Take the contents of the closet and bedside cabinet with you
• Notification of next of kin
• Look for important documents (identity card, birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.)
• Search for contracts and dispositions of the deceased and act accordingly (e.g. will, precautionary contract with funeral home, organ donor card, declaration of intent for cremation, etc.)

• Take care of the apartment (pets and plants, turn off electricity, gas and water if necessary)
• Contact the priest if a blessing is desired
• Select and contact a funeral home
• preferably with a good friend, so that he/she writes down the most important points and also pays attention to the costs.

The death must be reported to the registry office no later than the third working day after the death. Saturday does not count as a working day. The death certificate is necessary for the funeral and its preparation (e.g. for the coffin or transfer) as well as for the settlement of the estate. A death certificate is also required for statutory or private insurance benefits.

The following persons can apply for a death certificate:

• the widow or widower
• Ancestors and descendants of the deceased person
• Persons who can credibly demonstrate a legal interest in the issue of the death certificate (e.g. by means of a letter from the probate court)
• Siblings of the deceased person (for these it is sufficient if they can credibly demonstrate a legitimate interest).

The following documents of the deceased person must be presented:

• the death certificate
• the birth certificate
• the identity card
• depending on marital status, other personal documents, such as the marriage certificate, any divorce decree, death certificate of the deceased spouse - the identity card of the person submitting the application.

When applying for a death certificate, you should remember to apply for it several times. Because you will need this certificate for the:

• Health insurance
• Pension insurance
• Long-term care insurance
• Statutory accident insurance
• Pension office
• Life insurance
• Company pension (supplementary pension in the public sector)
• Employer.

The above-mentioned authorities and the employer should be informed of the death immediately.

If the deceased is of foreign origin, the documents that are not in German must be available in an official translation. Make sure that you get back all the documents you presented for the death certificate.

Don't let anyone put you under pressure. There is no hurry for the deceased. There is hardly any hurry for the bereaved. You don't have to make a "good impression" in this situation. You are allowed to grieve. If you are not sure what to choose when selecting a grave or coffin, when designing the funeral cards/announcement of death or later when selecting flowers etc., it is helpful to ask yourself: "What did the deceased person want for themselves or what would they choose for themselves?"

• Determine the form of burial (types of burial: e.g. burial in the ground, cremation, burial at sea, etc.)
• For cremation: submit the last will of the deceased - if not available, submit the cremation order of the next of kin
• Select cemetery and type of grave
• Acquire or extend grave usage rights
• Commissioning a stonemason or cemetery gardener to clear an existing gravesite
• Set a date for burial with the cemetery administration
• Appointment and funeral talk with the pastor or funeral speaker
• Scope and organization of the funeral service:
• Get mourning clothes
  • Order floral decorations for the funeral hall and grave (e.g. wreaths, arrangements, hand bouquets, funeral bows)
  • Select music for the funeral service (band, funeral singers, music system)
  • Obtain a book of condolence.
• Drawing up an obituary and sending funeral cards
• Reserve a restaurant or café for a funeral coffee
• Go through the deceased's diary, cancel appointments

According to legal regulations, a funeral may take place no earlier than 48 hours and should be held no later than eight days after the death. Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays do not count towards this deadline.

• Asserting financial claims with insurance companies, health insurance companies, employers, pension offices, private pension funds or authorities
• apply to the pension insurance office for an advance payment or the pension, if applicable
• Apply for civil servant pension and supplementary insurance
• Stop ongoing payment transactions of the deceased person
• Cancellation of contracts (e.g. telephone, television, car), memberships and subscriptions
• Clarifying the housing situation, terminating the tenancy agreement, arranging the handover
• Change the inscription on the deceased's doorbell and letterbox
• Re-order mail, notify banks and savings banks
• Check whether accounts, savings books, etc. are available
• After receiving the certificate of inheritance, have the will opened if necessary
• Send thank you cards and/or place a thank you ad in the newspaper
• Register or sell vehicle(s)
• Grave care: do it yourself or pay a grave keeper?
• Order grave border and headstone (if required)
• Create a file with important documents (e.g. death certificate, grave use, grave care, invoices)
• possibly register yourself in a grief support group.