Which union pays death benefits? A comprehensive guide for members
23 May 2025
12
Minutes
Katrin Straub
CEO at nextsure
The loss of a loved one is emotionally and financially challenging. Discover which union pays funeral benefits and how you can receive support as a member or survivor, after the statutory funeral allowance was abolished in 2004.
The topic in brief and concise terms
Many unions continue to pay a benefit in the event of death, even after the abolition of the statutory death grant in 2004, the amount of which depends on the duration of membership and contributions.
The benefits (e.g. at IG Metall, ver.di, GdS) vary greatly, from a few hundred to several thousand euros, often depending on the statutes.
Union death benefit is often just a subsidy; a private funeral expense or term life insurance is usually necessary as an addition to cover all costs.
Funeral Benefits from Trade Unions: An Overview Following the Abolition of Statutory Benefits
The statutory health insurance funds removed the death benefit from their catalogue of services as of 1 January 2004. This decision represented an additional financial burden for many citizens in the event of bereavement, as funeral costs can quickly reach several thousand euros. Fortunately, some trade unions have stepped into this gap and continue to offer their members a form of support. These union benefits are often enshrined in the statutes and vary by organisation. Therefore, it is important for members to know which union pays death benefits and under what conditions. A private death insurance policy can be an alternative or a supplement. The amount of the union death benefit often depends on the length of membership and the contributions made. Thus, long-standing loyalty to the union can mean tangible financial help for the bereaved, who often face funeral costs averaging €7,000 to €8,000.
Services of selected trade unions in detail
Various unions have different regulations concerning bereavement benefits. It is crucial to be aware of your specific union's conditions. Here are some examples of how unions support their members:
IG Metall: IG Metall provides support to its members or their survivors in the event of death. The amount depends on the duration of membership and the contribution level. For a monthly contribution of 20 euros and over 20 years of membership, the support can, for instance, amount to 630 euros.
ver.di (Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft): Ver.di offers a group funeral insurance via partners such as DBV. This often allows for more favourable terms than individual contracts. The insurance sum can range between 500 and 12,500 euros, and joining is possible without a health examination until the age of 80. In the case of accidental death, the benefit can double.
GDL (Gewerkschaft Deutscher Lokomotivführer): GDL provides an allowance of up to 370 euros for illness, care, and funeral costs. In the case of a recognised service or work accident, this amount increases to up to 680 euros. The amount also scales with years of membership.
GdS (Gewerkschaft der Sozialversicherung): Survivors of GdS members receive a bereavement benefit that can be up to 60 times the average monthly contributions of the past twelve months. This is provided without additional contributions for this benefit.
IG BCE (Industriegewerkschaft Bergbau, Chemie, Energie): IG BCE pays a bereavement benefit to the survivors in the event of death. Applications must be submitted within six months of the member's death. The benefit can be based on 200 times the monthly contribution.
These examples illustrate the range of support, which can vary from a few hundred to several thousand euros. Also, inform yourself about the burial insurance options.
Understanding eligibility criteria and application procedures
To receive a death benefit from a union, certain conditions must be met and an application process completed. Typically, the deceased member must have a minimum membership duration, often twelve months. The bereaved, usually the spouse or children, must provide evidence of covering the funeral costs. For the application, the death certificate and the member's union card generally need to be submitted to the relevant union office. Many unions set a deadline for applications, such as twelve months after the date of death. At IG BCE, this deadline is six months. It is advisable to contact the union early about the exact procedures to avoid missing deadlines. Some funeral directors offer assistance with the application process. Knowledge of the application for death benefits with the pension insurance is not relevant here, as they do not pay a death benefit.
Practical Examples: This is What Support Can Look Like
The amount of death benefit from unions is not generally fixed but depends on individual factors. Suppose a member of IG Metall paid a monthly contribution of 30 euros for 25 years. Based on the guidelines, the support for the survivors could be around 945 euros (based on the factor of 31.5 with over 20 years of membership). A ver.di member, aged 53, who takes out a death benefit insurance through the union with a sum of 5,000 euros, pays approximately 19 euros monthly. In the event of death, 5,000 euros would be available, or even 10,000 euros in case of accidental death. A GdS member with an average contribution of 15 euros in the last twelve months could secure a death benefit of up to 900 euros for their survivors (60 times the contribution). These examples illustrate that while the benefits can be a welcome help, they often do not cover the total costs of an average funeral of 7,500 euros. A term life insurance with a payout in the event of death can be an important complement here.
Expert Depth: Legal Foundations and Key Aspects
Union death benefits are a voluntary service outlined in the respective statutes or specific guidelines of the organisations. There is no overarching legal obligation for unions to pay death benefits since the statutory benefits were abolished in 2004. The precise conditions, such as the amount of the benefit, the calculation bases (e.g., duration of membership, contribution amount), and who is eligible (e.g., spouses, children), can only be found in the internal regulations of the respective union. Our expert tip: Regularly check the statutes of your union or contact your local branch to inquire about the current conditions for death benefits. Changes in statutes can affect benefits. It is also important to establish whether the union death benefit is taxable. Generally, such support benefits are taxed as miscellaneous income if they exceed certain allowances. A tax advisor or the relevant tax office can provide precise information on this. Also consider the preparations for death to relieve your relatives.
Important points that members should consider:
Statutory changes: Unions may change their statutes, which can impact death benefit entitlements. Regular updates are particularly important for members over the age of 50.
Continuous contributions: Uninterrupted contributions are usually a prerequisite for full entitlements. Contribution gaps can lead to reductions.
Eligibility: Clarify who is eligible in the event of death. This is often spouses and children, but sometimes other individuals if they bear the costs.
Deadlines: Application deadlines (often six to twelve months) must be adhered to to avoid losing the entitlement.
Combining with private provision: Since union death benefits often only cover part of the costs, an additional private life insurance or death benefits insurance is advisable for many from the age of 45.
Knowing these details helps to make optimal use of entitled benefits in serious situations.
Alternatives and additions to union death benefits
As the death benefit from unions often doesn't cover all the costs of a funeral – which can easily amount to 5,000 to over 10,000 euros – additional private provision is essential for many people. A private funeral insurance is one way to make specific provisions for funeral expenses. These insurances pay an agreed sum, often between 3,000 and 15,000 euros, to the beneficiaries upon death. Joining is often possible even at an advanced age and without a health check, although it usually involves waiting periods. Another option is the term life insurance. It primarily serves to protect dependants, for example, to repay loans or secure living standards, but can also be used for funeral costs. The insurance sums here are generally significantly higher, and one usually takes it out at a younger age with a health check. Our expert tip: Compare the terms of various providers and check which form of provision best suits your individual situation and age. Early planning from the age of 40 can secure lower premiums.
Conclusion: Union bereavement benefit as a component of financial planning
The question, which union pays death benefits, is relevant for members, as this benefit can provide basic financial support in the event of death. Numerous unions such as IG Metall, ver.di, or GdS have respective regulations that differ in amount and conditions. It is a welcome aid, but often not sufficient given the average funeral costs of around 7,500 euros. Therefore, union members should regard their organisation's death benefit as a component of the overall provision for dependents. Supplementing with private insurances such as a death benefit or term life insurance is often advisable to comprehensively protect relatives from high costs. Actively inform yourself with your union and consider seeking professional advice for your individual planning needs. nextsure is happy to assist you in finding the right solution for your needs.
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More useful links
Wikipedia offers a comprehensive article on funeral allowance in Germany.
The GDL (Gewerkschaft Deutscher Lokomotivführer) provides information on funeral aid for its members.
The IG Metall offers information on funeral allowances and support in case of death.
The ver.di member service provides details on funeral insurance for members.
The DBB (Deutscher Beamtenbund und Tarifunion) explains the term funeral allowance in its lexicon.
The Deutsche Rentenversicherung informs about the bereavement quarter during which the pension is continued for dependants.
The DGUV (Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung) provides information on rehab benefits for survivors.
On Gesetze im Internet, you will find Paragraph 64 of SGB VII, which regulates benefits in the event of death in the context of work accidents and occupational diseases.
Statista presents statistics on average funeral costs in Germany.
Aeternitas reports on the significant increase in the cost of funerals.
FAQ
What documents do I need to apply for the death benefit from the union?
You will typically need the death certificate of the member, the membership card, and proof of the payment for burial expenses. Your union will inform you of the specific requirements.
Are there deadlines for applying for union death benefits?
Yes, most unions have deadlines for submitting applications, often six or twelve months after the member's death. Make sure to inform yourself in good time with your union.
Is the union's funeral benefit earmarked for the burial?
The funeral benefit is primarily intended to cover burial costs. However, the exact usage is usually not closely monitored, as long as the costs can be proven.
Do unions also pay death benefits in the event of accidental death?
Many trade unions or their group insurance policies provide increased benefits or benefits without a waiting period in the event of accidental death. This is regulated in the respective statutes or insurance conditions.
Can relatives of union members also receive funeral benefits?
Yes, the funeral allowance is usually paid to the entitled surviving dependents (e.g. spouse, children) who have borne the burial costs.
What is the difference compared to the previous statutory death benefit?
The former statutory funeral allowance was a benefit provided by health insurance funds for all insured persons, but it was abolished in 2004. The funeral allowance from trade unions is a voluntary benefit only for their members.
