Applying for funeral allowance: template and guide for a quick payout
11.06.25
7
Minutes
Katrin Straub
Managing Director at nextsure
The loss of someone close is emotionally difficult, and high funeral costs often arise as well. Find out how to apply for death benefit, which documents are required and how a sample application can help simplify the process and provide financial relief.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Death benefit has no longer been a benefit of statutory health insurance since 2004; private provision is crucial.
For the application for death benefits, a death certificate, insurance policy and often additional supporting documents are required; sample applications can help.
Deadlines for reporting the death and submitting the application must be observed to avoid delays.
Understanding death benefit: basics and who is eligible
Death benefit is a financial payment made upon death to cover the costs of a funeral. In the past, this was a benefit of statutory health insurance, but it was abolished on 1 January 2004. Today, death benefit usually comes from private funeral insurance policies, from civil servants’ pension funds, or in certain cases from statutory accident insurance. As a rule, those entitled are the surviving dependants who bear the funeral costs, or a person named in the insurance certificate. The amount of the death benefit for civil servants, for example, is often twice the amount of the last salary or pension payments.
The exact conditions and the amount of the benefit vary depending on the provider and contract. It is therefore important to examine the relevant policies or statutes carefully. Private funeral insurance offers a way to close this gap and provide financial security for relatives. Without private provision, the heirs must cover the funeral costs in accordance with § 1968 BGB. [2,3]
Mastering the application process: step-by-step guide
Applying for death benefit requires a few steps that should be taken promptly after the death. First, the death must be reported to the responsible office – whether that is the private insurer, the pension fund or the accident insurer. [2] Many insurers require immediate notification, often within a few hours to up to 30 days. [5] Certain documents are essential for the application itself. These usually include the death certificate in original or as a copy, the insurance policy and often also proof of the cause of death. [2,3]
A template for the death benefit application can be very helpful here, so that no important details are forgotten. Such templates can often be found online or directly from providers. [2] Processing time can vary, but submitting all documents promptly speeds up the process. Payment is usually made directly to the eligible person or to the person who incurred the costs. Remember to make arrangements in the event of death as well, to make the process easier for your relatives.
The following documents are typically required:
Official death certificate (original or certified copy) [2]
Insurance certificate (policy) [3]
ID card of the deceased and the applicant [2]
If applicable, medical certificate stating the cause of death [3]
Proof of the relationship or entitlement to benefits
Bank details for the payment
Invoices for funeral costs already paid (for cost-related death benefit) [4]
The exact requirements can vary depending on the institution, so it is always advisable to contact them in advance. [2]
Practical examples and avoiding common pitfalls
A common case is the death of a retired civil servant. In this case, the bereaved receive a funeral allowance equal to twice the pension benefits. [1,5] The application must be submitted to the responsible pension fund. Another practical case concerns payment from a private funeral expenses insurance policy. Here it is important that the insured sum and the entitlement to benefits are clearly regulated in the contract. Many insurers pay the full sum in the event of accidental death, even during any waiting period. [1]
A potential pitfall is compliance with deadlines. The death must often be reported very promptly. [5] The completeness of the documents is also crucial for swift processing. Incomplete applications lead to delays of often several weeks. Another point is clarifying exactly who is entitled to claim if no beneficiary has been named in the contract – in that case, the sum becomes part of the estate. [1] Also find out whether the funeral expenses insurance can be cancelled and what consequences this has.
Expert knowledge: Legal fundamentals and tax tips
From a legal perspective, the obligation to bear funeral costs is anchored in Section 1968 of the German Civil Code (BGB): the heir bears the costs of the deceased's funeral. [2,3] Funeral benefit is intended to cover these costs. Since the statutory funeral benefit was abolished from health insurance in 2004, private provision, for example through a funeral benefit insurance, has become more important than ever. [2] Civil service regulations can be found in the respective provision laws of the federal government and the Länder. [3,1]
Our expert tip: Clarify the entitlement to benefits in the insurance policy at an early stage to avoid any uncertainty when a claim arises. This can significantly speed up payment. For tax purposes, funeral benefit from a private funeral benefit insurance policy is generally exempt from income tax if it is used for the funeral for a specific purpose and does not exceed a certain amount. [4] Funeral benefit from an employer or from civil service pension arrangements can, however, be taxable. [2,1] It is advisable to find out whether you can claim funeral benefit insurance as a tax deduction.
Important legal aspects and sections:
Section 1968 BGB: heirs' obligation to bear the costs of the funeral. [3]
Section 64 SGB VII: funeral benefit from statutory accident insurance (one-seventh of the reference amount). [2]
Federal and Länder civil service pension acts (BeamtVG): regulate funeral benefit for civil servants (often twice the service remuneration). [1,3]
Insurance Contract Act (VVG): general legal framework for insurance contracts.
Civil Status Act (PStG) Section 28: obligation to report the death to the registry office within three working days. [2]
These sections form the legal basis for claims and obligations in connection with funeral benefit and funeral costs.
Funeral benefit from various providers: An overview
Death benefit can be paid by different organisations. Since 2004, statutory health insurance has no longer paid death benefit. [2,1] An exception is statutory accident insurance, which provides benefits in the event of death following a workplace accident or an occupational disease; here, the death benefit amounts to one seventh of the reference value. [2,3] Civil servants and employees in the public sector often have an entitlement to death benefit from their employer, usually amounting to two months' pay. [1,3]
Private death benefit insurance is the most common form of cover. The sum insured is specified in the policy and can amount to between €3,000 and €20,000 or more. [2,3] Some employers also pay a death benefit, but this is rather rare and is often regulated by collective agreement. [2] Always check carefully which entitlements exist in the specific case. It is also relevant to know whether the health insurance fund pays a death benefit, which is generally no longer the case.
Use the sample application form: How to fill it out correctly
A sample application for bereavement benefit provides valuable guidance and ensures that all necessary information is captured. Typically, details of the deceased person (name, date of birth and date of death, last address) and the applicant (name, address, relationship, bank details) are required. [4,5] In addition, details of the insurance policy or employment relationship often have to be provided. The form from the Central Remuneration Office of the State of Brandenburg (example) explicitly asks whether there are any beneficiaries with priority entitlement. [4]
Make sure to complete all fields carefully and legibly and enclose the required supporting documents. [5] An application that is incomplete or filled in incorrectly can delay payment by several weeks. Many insurers or pension funds provide their own forms or online portals, which simplify the process. [2,3] An application for bereavement benefit with the pension insurance scheme is not possible in this sense, as it does not pay a classic bereavement benefit, but may instead provide a so-called death-quarter payment. [2]
Observing deadlines is very important when applying for a death benefit. The death should be reported immediately to the insurer or the relevant authority. [2,5] Some insurers set deadlines ranging from a few hours to 30 days after the death. [5] Under section 28 of the PStG, the death certificate itself must be applied for at the registry office no later than the third working day after the death. [2] For the application for widow’s/widower’s pension (the first quarter after death) with the pension insurance, a deadline of 30 days after the death often applies. [1]
The processing time for the death benefit application depends on the institution concerned and on the completeness of the documents submitted. If the documentation is complete, payment is often made within a few weeks. Some private insurers advertise rapid payment directly after the death certificate has been submitted. [3] An affordable funeral insurance policy can also pay out promptly if all conditions are met.
nextsure: Your experts for worry-free provision
The complexity of claiming death benefits and the emotional strain following a bereavement make good preparation and cover essential. With a private funeral insurance policy from nextsure, you can protect your loved ones from high funeral costs and at least ease their financial worries during a difficult time. Our digital solutions and expert advice help you make the right provision. We support you in understanding all the necessary steps and arranging tailored cover that meets your wishes. Early planning ensures financial relief for your loved ones.
Request your individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive specific recommendations for improvement.
More useful links
Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of the topic of funeral benefit in Germany.
Verwaltung.bund.de provides information on applying for funeral benefit payments from the German Federal Administration.
Statista provides current statistics on the average costs of funerals in Germany.
Betanet provides detailed information on social assistance for funeral costs in Germany.
Verwaltung.bund.de explains the process for applying for a death certificate at the German Federal Administration.
Sparkasse provides information on funeral planning and funeral benefit.
Deutsche Rentenversicherung explains the concept of the quarter following a death and its impact on pension payments.
Destatis publishes official statistics on deaths and life expectancy in Germany.
FAQ
What is a death benefit application template?
A funeral allowance application template is a template or form that helps to complete an application for funeral allowance correctly and in full. It typically contains all the required fields for details of the deceased and the applicant, as well as for the circumstances of entitlement. [2]
Where can I get a template for the funeral grant application?
Templates for death benefit applications can often be found online on consumer portals, with insurance companies or pension funds. In some cases, these institutions also provide their own specific forms. [2]
Does statutory health insurance still pay a death benefit?
No, since 1 January 2004 the statutory health insurers have no longer paid a death benefit. An exception may be statutory accident insurance if the death is the result of an occupational accident or an occupational disease. [2,1]
What happens if there is no funeral benefit available?
If there is no death benefit from an insurance policy or other sources, the heirs must cover the funeral costs in accordance with Section 1968 of the German Civil Code (BGB). If the heirs are unable to bear the costs, it may be possible to apply to the social welfare office for the funeral costs to be covered (social funeral). [2,3]
How high is the death grant for civil servants?
The death benefit for civil servants is usually twice the service or pension benefits (gross) due in the month of death. The exact regulations can be found in the respective civil service laws of the Federal Government and the federal states. [1,5]
What deadlines apply for applying for death benefit?
The death should be reported to the insurer or the responsible authority without delay, often within a few hours to up to 30 days. The death certificate usually has to be applied for within three working days. For certain benefits such as the bereavement quarter of the pension insurance system, specific application deadlines may apply. [2,5,1]
