Funeral expenses

Section 74 of the Social Code Book XII regulates the assumption of the necessary costs of a funeral for persons liable for the funeral if they cannot be expected to bear the costs.
Necessary costs are the costs that are reasonable under social welfare law. These include, for example

• an examination of the deceased and the issue of the death certificate
• Fees for post-mortem examination
• Costs for the services of the morticians (simple, dignified burial in the ground or cremation) as a lump sum
• Fees and charges for the crematorium
• Cemetery fees to a reasonable extent

The application for assumption of the funeral costs can also be made if the funeral has already taken place and/or the costs of the funeral have already been paid.

The social welfare agency that last granted social assistance (benefits under SGB XII) for the deceased person is responsible.
If the deceased person did not receive social assistance, the following applies:

• he/she lived in Bremen and died in Bremen: the Social Services department in whose area the deceased last lived is responsible.
• he/she lived outside Bremen: the Social Welfare Department in whose area the place of death is located is responsible.

Requirements

• The estate or the funeral provision of the deceased does not cover the costs
• The person making the application is liable to pay the funeral costs

The person obliged to pay for the funeral is in need of assistance and cannot cover the costs of the funeral from his or her own income and assets