How to Apply for Funeral Allowance: A Comprehensive Guide on Eligibility, Deadlines, and Maximum Support
15 May 2025
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
The loss of a loved one is emotionally challenging; resolving financial aspects such as the funeral allowance should not add to the burden. This article guides you through the process of applying for funeral assistance and outlines the benefits you are entitled to.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The death benefit from civil service pensions (usually twice the monthly salary) must be clearly distinguished from the funeral allowance (which varies by region and is often limited).
Applications must be submitted in a timely manner (often 24 months or three years for benefits) to the relevant pension or benefits office with all necessary documents (death certificate, invoices).
Eligibility for the death grant follows a hierarchy (spouse, children, parents, payers); the amount of aid varies greatly depending on the federal state.
Clearly differentiate between death benefit and assistance in the event of death
In the context of the passing of civil servants, the terms 'funeral allowance' and 'benefits' often appear, which must be clearly distinguished. The funeral allowance from the civil service pension is a one-time payment to the dependants and usually amounts to twice the last service or pension payments of the deceased. This benefit, regulated in the Civil Service Pensions Act (BeamtVG), serves as immediate financial assistance. In contrast, the benefit towards expenses in the event of death is governed by the respective aid regulations of the federal government (BBhV) or the states (LBeihVO). Since a change in the law in 2004, benefits for funeral costs have been significantly limited at the federal level, while some states continue to provide subsidies for specific expenses such as repatriation costs or post-mortem examinations. It is therefore crucial to check the specific regulations of the responsible authority to claim all possible entitlements concerning applying for funeral allowance. Knowing these differences is the first step towards securing financial support.
Identify eligible individuals for death benefits from civil servant pensions
The funeral allowance from the civil servant pension scheme is not automatically available to everyone; a clear hierarchy of eligible claimants is legally established. The primary eligible claimant is the surviving spouse or registered partner. If these are not present or not eligible, the claim passes to the biological and adopted children (descendants) of the deceased. In the third tier, relatives of the ascending line (parents, grandparents) may be considered, provided they lived in a household community with the deceased at the time of death or were predominantly supported by them. If none of the aforementioned individuals exist, other persons who have demonstrably borne the costs of the last illness or the funeral can receive the funeral allowance up to the amount of their expenses, but not exceeding twice the monthly salary. This regulation ensures that the financial burden of the funeral is at least partially mitigated and is an important aspect of the preparation for death. Thus, a precise examination of eligibility is a central point.
Precisely determine the amount of death benefits and potential allowances
The amount of funeral allowance from civil servant pensions is clearly defined: It amounts to twice the salary, trainee allowance, or pension that the deceased would have been entitled to in the month of death. Exceptions confirm the rule: In Bremen, the funeral allowance amounts to 1.35 times the salary, for example. For the assistance with expenses in the event of death, if still provided under state law, the amounts are usually standardized or fixed at certain maximum limits. In Hesse, for example, up to 1,200 euros can be recognized as eligible for assistance for specifically proven costs such as post-mortem examination, coffin, or transportation. In North Rhine-Westphalia, the assistance focuses on the costs of death determination and transportation costs. It is important that the funeral allowance from the civil servant pension is generally not considered when assessing eligibility for assistance claims. A precise knowledge of the respective state regulations is essential to fully utilize the assistance benefits. The accurate calculation of these claims can mean a significant financial relief.
Application process for funeral allowance and benefits completed correctly
The application for funeral benefits and any assistance must be submitted to the responsible authority of the employer; this is usually the pensions or assistance office. Certain documents are absolutely necessary for a smooth process. These usually include:
The death certificate in original or as a certified copy.
Possibly the certificate of inheritance or a will with an opening protocol to prove the status of heir.
Invoices for the costs incurred (particularly for assistance applications).
An informal application or an application form provided by the authority.
Proof of benefits already received from third parties (e.g., from a funeral insurance policy), as these might be credited.
Our expert tip: Clarify as early as possible with the responsible office which specific forms and proofs are required in your individual case to avoid delays in processing, which can often take several weeks. Adhering to the correct procedure is crucial for prompt payment.
Understanding legal foundations and specific regulations
The claims for death benefits and assistance in the event of the death of civil servants are based on various legal regulations. The death benefit for federal civil servants is primarily regulated in section 18 of the Civil Servant Pension Act (BeamtVG). For state civil servants, the corresponding state civil servant pension acts apply, which often follow federal law but may have deviations, as the example of Bremen with the 1.35 multiplier shows. The assistance regulations can be found in the Federal Assistance Regulation (BBhV) and the respective state assistance regulations (LBeihVO). Section 48 BBhV, for instance, regulates the limitation of assistance and the consideration of other benefits, whereby the death benefit according to section 18 paragraph 2 number 2 BeamtVG remains explicitly unaffected. Our expert tip: In case of uncertainties or complex situations, such as those that can arise with an application for death benefits at the pension insurance (although this is a different area), seeking advice can be useful. A deep understanding of the legal situation helps to assert all claims correctly.
Consider special cases and additional aspects
In addition to the general regulations, there are certain special cases and additional aspects that may be relevant when applying for funeral allowance. For example, if a widow or widower who has already received widow's/widower's pension passes away, children eligible for orphan's allowance may also receive funeral allowance under certain conditions. This often requires that the children belonged to the deceased's household at the time of death. Another aspect is the tax treatment: the lump-sum funeral allowance from civil service pensions is generally taxable, whereas the cost funeral allowance (payment to other individuals up to the amount of expenses) may be tax-free. The exact tax implications should be examined on a case-by-case basis, similar to the question of whether one can deduct funeral insurance from taxes. It is advisable to be well-informed about such specific scenarios to avoid disadvantages. These details can affect the total amount of support.
Support and advice tailored to your individual case
Applying for funeral allowance and aid can be a challenge due to the complex regulations and the emotional exceptional situation. The responsible aid and supply offices of the respective employers are the first points of contact and often provide leaflets and forms. These usually contain phone numbers for enquiries and specific instructions for the respective federal state or the federal government. For further support, especially in assessing the chances of success or in the event of rejection notices, professional advice can be helpful. Even when it comes to general funeral insurance or the coverage of civil servants within the private health insurance for civil servants, we at nextsure are here to assist you. Utilise the available resources to ensure that you receive all the benefits you are entitled to and avoid financial disadvantages. Good preparation and information are the keys to success.
More useful links
Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of the burial allowance.
The German Pension Insurance provides detailed information about survivor pensions and other types of pensions.
Laws on the Internet provides the exact wording of § 74 of the Social Code XII (SGB XII) regarding funeral cost assistance.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) offers official information on social assistance and its regulations.
FAQ
Was ist der Unterschied zwischen Sterbegeld und Beihilfe im Todesfall eines Beamten?
Das Sterbegeld ist eine einmalige Zahlung aus der Beamtenversorgung (meist zwei Monatsgehälter) an Hinterbliebene. Die Beihilfe im Todesfall ist ein Zuschuss zu bestimmten Bestattungskosten, der auf Bundesebene weitgehend entfallen ist, aber in einigen Bundesländern noch gewährt wird und separat beantragt werden muss.
Welche Unterlagen benötige ich, um Beihilfe zum Sterbegeld zu beantragen?
Sie benötigen in der Regel die Sterbeurkunde, Rechnungen über Bestattungskosten, ggf. einen Erbschein und das ausgefüllte Antragsformular der zuständigen Beihilfe- oder Versorgungsstelle.
Wie lange dauert es, bis das Sterbegeld ausgezahlt wird?
Die Bearbeitungsdauer kann variieren, liegt aber oft bei mehreren Wochen nach Einreichung aller vollständigen Unterlagen. Eine frühzeitige und korrekte Antragstellung kann den Prozess beschleunigen.
Können auch Kinder von verstorbenen Beamten Sterbegeld erhalten?
Ja, Kinder (Abkömmlinge) sind nach dem Ehe- oder Lebenspartner anspruchsberechtigt für das Sterbegeld aus der Beamtenversorgung. Unter bestimmten Umständen können sie auch Sterbegeld erhalten, wenn eine witwen-/witwergeldbeziehende Person verstirbt.
Wo finde ich die Antragsformulare für das Sterbegeld?
Antragsformulare und Merkblätter erhalten Sie in der Regel direkt bei der zuständigen Versorgungs- oder Beihilfestelle des Dienstherrn des Verstorbenen (Bund oder jeweiliges Bundesland).
Was passiert, wenn ich die Antragsfrist für die Beihilfe versäume?
Das Versäumen der Antragsfrist (Ausschlussfrist) führt in der Regel zum Verlust des Anspruchs auf die Beihilfeleistung. Daher ist es sehr wichtig, sich frühzeitig über die geltenden Fristen zu informieren und diese einzuhalten.
