Applying for funeral allowance: Template and guide for a quick payout
11 Jun 2025
10
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
The loss of a loved one is emotionally distressing, and often high funeral costs are incurred. Learn how to apply for bereavement benefits, what documents are needed, and how a sample application can help simplify this process and provide financial relief.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Funeral allowance has not been a benefit of the statutory health insurance since 2004; private provision is crucial.
For the application for funeral allowance, a death certificate, insurance policy, and often additional evidence are required; sample applications can be helpful.
Deadlines for reporting the death and submitting the application must be observed to avoid delays.
Understanding Funeral Benefits: Basics and Eligible Beneficiaries
Bereavement benefit is a financial benefit paid out in the event of death to cover the costs of a funeral. Previously, this was a benefit provided by statutory health insurance, but it was abolished on 1 January 2004. Today, bereavement benefits mostly come from private bereavement insurance policies, civil servant pension funds, or, in certain cases, from statutory accident insurance. Eligible claimants are generally the surviving dependents who bear the funeral costs, or a person named in the insurance policy. The amount of bereavement benefit for civil servants, for example, is often twice the amount of the last salary or pension payment.
The exact conditions and the amount of benefit vary depending on the source and the contract. It is therefore important to carefully examine the respective policies or statutes. A private bereavement insurance offers a way to bridge this gap and financially secure relatives. Without private provision, heirs must bear the funeral costs in accordance with § 1968 BGB. [2,3]
Mastering the Application Process: A Step-by-Step Guide
Applying for funeral benefits requires several steps that should be taken soon after the death. First, the death must be reported to the relevant authority - whether it's the private insurer, the pension fund, or the accident insurance. [2] Many insurers require an immediate report, often within a few hours to 30 days. [5] Certain documents are essential for the application itself. These usually include the original or a copy of the death certificate, the insurance policy, and often proof of the cause of death. [2,3]
A template for the funeral benefit application can be very helpful in ensuring no important information is forgotten. Such templates are often found online or directly from providers. [2] Processing times can vary, but quickly submitting all documents speeds up the process. The payment is usually made directly to the beneficiary or the person who has borne the costs. Remember to also make preparations for death to ease the process for your relatives.
The following documents are typically required:
Official death certificate (original or certified copy) [2]
Insurance policy [3]
Identity card of the deceased and the applicant [2]
If applicable, a medical certificate of the cause of death [3]
Proof of relationship or entitlement
Bank details for the payment
Invoices for funeral expenses already paid (in the case of funeral cost insurance) [4]
The exact requirements may vary depending on the institution, so prior contact is always advisable. [2]
Practical examples and avoiding common pitfalls
A common case is the death of a retired civil servant. Here, the bereaved receive a death benefit amounting to twice the pension benefits. [1,5] The application must be submitted to the competent pension fund. Another practical case involves payouts from a private death benefit insurance. It is crucial that the insurance sum and the entitlement to benefits are clearly stipulated in the contract. Many insurance companies pay out the full sum in the event of accidental death, even during a potential waiting period. [1]
A potential pitfall is adhering to deadlines. The death must often be reported very promptly. [5] The completeness of the documents is also crucial for speedy processing. Incomplete applications often lead to delays of several weeks. Another point is clarifying who is precisely entitled to claim benefits if no entitled person is specified in the contract - in such cases, the sum falls into the estate. [1] Also, find out whether the death benefit insurance can be cancelled and what the consequences are.
Expert knowledge: Legal foundations and tax tips
Legally, the obligation to bear the funeral costs is anchored in Section 1968 of the German Civil Code (BGB): The heir bears the costs of the testator's funeral. [2,3] The death benefit is intended to cover these costs. Since the statutory death benefit from health insurance was abolished in 2004, private provision, for example through a death benefit insurance, is more important than ever. [2] Regulations for civil servants can be found in the respective federal and state pension laws. [3,1]
Our expert tip: Clarify the entitlement in the insurance contract at an early stage to avoid uncertainties in the event of a claim. This can significantly expedite the payout. For tax purposes, death benefits from a private death benefit insurance are generally income tax-free if they are used for the funeral and do not exceed a certain amount. [4] Death benefits from the employer or civil service pensions, on the other hand, may be taxable. [2,1] It is advisable to check whether a death benefit insurance can be deducted for tax purposes.
Important legal aspects and paragraphs:
§ 1968 BGB: Obligation of the heirs to bear the costs of the funeral. [3]
§ 64 SGB VII: Death benefit from statutory accident insurance (one seventh of the reference value). [2]
Civil Service Pension Acts (BeamtVG) of the Federation and States: Regulate the death benefit for civil servants (often twice the service remuneration). [1,3]
Insurance Contract Act (VVG): General legal framework for insurance contracts.
Personal Status Act (PStG) § 28: Obligation to report the death to the registry office within three working days. [2]
These paragraphs form the legal basis for claims and obligations related to death benefits and funeral costs.
Funeral Benefits from Various Providers: An Overview
Funeral allowances can be paid by various organizations. Since 2004, statutory health insurance no longer pays funeral allowances. [2,1] An exception is statutory accident insurance, which provides benefits in the event of death due to an occupational accident or disease; the funeral allowance here amounts to one seventh of the reference value. [2,3] Civil servants and employees in the public sector often have a claim to funeral allowance from their employer, usually amounting to two months' salary. [1,3]
Private funeral insurance is the most common form of coverage. The sum insured is determined in the contract and can range from 3,000 to 20,000 euros or more. [2,3] Some employers also pay a funeral allowance, but this is rather rare and often regulated by collective agreements. [2] Always check carefully what claims exist in the specific case. It is also relevant to know whether the health insurance pays funeral allowances, which is generally no longer the case.
How to fill out the sample application correctly
A sample application for funeral allowance provides valuable guidance and ensures that all necessary information is captured. Typically, details about the deceased person (name, date of birth and death, last address) and about the applicant (name, address, relationship, bank details) are required. [4,5] In addition, details about the insurance policy or employment relationship often need to be provided. The form from the Central Payment Office of the State of Brandenburg (example) explicitly asks whether there are primarily entitled persons. [4]
Ensure that you fill in all fields carefully and legibly and attach the required evidence. [5] An incomplete or incorrectly filled application can delay the payment by several weeks. Many insurers or pension funds provide their own forms or online portals to simplify the process. [2,3] An application for funeral allowance with the pension insurance is not possible in this sense, as they do not pay a classic funeral allowance but possibly a bereavement quarter. [2]
Deadlines and Processing Times: What You Need to Know
Meeting deadlines is very important when applying for funeral benefits. The death should be reported to the insurer or the responsible authority without delay. [2,5] Some insurers set deadlines ranging from a few hours to 30 days after the death. [5] According to § 28 PStG, the death certificate itself must be applied for at the registry office by the third working day following the death at the latest. [2] For the application for a widow's/widower's pension (Bereavement Quarter) with the pension insurance, a deadline of 30 days after the death often applies. [1]
The processing time for the funeral benefit claim depends on the institution involved and the completeness of the submitted documents. With complete documents, payment is often made within a few weeks. Private insurers sometimes advertise with fast payment directly after submitting the death certificate. [3] A low-cost funeral insurance can also pay out quickly if all conditions are met.
nextsure: Your experts for worry-free insurance
More useful links
Wikipedia provides a comprehensive overview of the topic of funeral allowance in Germany.
Verwaltung.bund.de offers information on applying for funeral allowance benefits at the German Federal Administration.
Statista delivers current statistics on the average costs of funerals in Germany.
Betanet offers 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 allowance.
Deutsche Rentenversicherung explains the concept of the bereavement quarter and its effects on pension payments.
Destatis publishes official statistics on deaths and life expectancy in Germany.
FAQ
What is a funeral allowance application template?
A death benefit application template is a sample or form that assists in correctly and completely filling out an application for death benefits. It typically includes all required fields for information about the deceased and the applicant, as well as the circumstances of the claim. [2]
Where can I get a sample for the funeral benefit application?
Templates for funeral grant 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 the statutory health insurance still pay a death benefit?
No, statutory health insurance funds have not paid a death benefit since 1 January 2004. An exception may be statutory accident insurance if the death is the result of a work accident or an occupational disease. [2,1]
What happens if there is no funeral allowance?
If no funeral allowance is available from insurance or other sources, the heirs are required to bear the funeral costs in accordance with § 1968 BGB. If the heirs are unable to cover the costs, an application for the assumption of funeral expenses (social funeral) can potentially be made to the social welfare office. [2,3]
What is the death benefit for civil servants?
The death benefit for civil servants is usually twice the gross salary or pension entitlements due in the month of death. The exact regulations can be found in the respective civil service laws of the federal government and the states. [1,5]
What are the deadlines for applying for funeral allowance?
The death should be reported to the insurer or the relevant authority without delay, often within a few hours to up to 30 days. The death certificate usually needs to be requested within three working days. For certain benefits, such as the pension insurance's death grant, specific application deadlines may apply. [2,5,1]
