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When a loved one dies, many people don't have the mental capacity to deal with the organizational and financial aspects of a funeral. Nevertheless, a funeral is an important moment to commemorate the deceased and helps the bereaved say goodbye and process their loss. Depending on the wishes of the deceased and the bereaved, a funeral followed by a gathering can be a costly affair. Additionally, many decisions need to be made: from the type of burial to flower and music preferences or options for a card. This can be a significant burden for the bereaved.
We explain what types of funerals basically exist, when advance planning makes sense, and when crowdfunding can help relatives financially manage a beautiful funeral.
What Types of Funerals Exist in Germany?
In Germany, there are two main types of funerals: burial and cremation. Approximately 30% of people choose burial and about 70% opt for cremation.
Burial
In a burial, the body is lowered into the ground in a coffin. Especially for religious people, the integrity of the body plays a major role in the funeral. For them, cremation is not an option as they believe the dead will rise on Judgment Day. In Islam and Judaism, it is also customary to bury within 24 hours after death - traditionally, the body is only covered with a shroud. However, in Germany, there is generally a coffin requirement.
Legal timeframes must be observed for burials. These are not regulated uniformly nationwide but are set according to individual state regulations. In North Rhine-Westphalia, for example, except with special permits, burials may not take place earlier than twenty-four hours after death. Then the bereaved have ten days to conduct a burial or cremation. In Berlin, there was a change in regulations in early 2024: The previously mandated 48-hour waiting period between a person's death and their burial has been eliminated. This is particularly intended to better accommodate Jewish and Muslim burial rites.
Cremation
In cremation, the deceased's body is placed in a coffin and cremated in a crematorium. There are many different forms of cremation, such as sea burial, urn burial, anonymous burial, or tree burials.
Legal regulations must also be followed here. Firstly, not all forms of cremation, such as diamond burial, are permitted in Germany. Diamond burial is only possible in Germany if the ashes are transferred abroad, for example to Switzerland. Secondly, there are also deadlines that must be met for cremation. In North Rhine-Westphalia, for example, the cremated remains must be buried within six weeks.
How Much Does a Funeral Cost in Germany?
A funeral in Germany costs approximately 13,000 euros. The costs are divided into three blocks: cemetery fees, funeral director costs, and costs around the funeral service. Traditional burials are significantly more expensive, especially with unusual wishes or decorated coffins, costs of over 20,000 euros can fall to the bereaved.
For planning funeral director costs, the website of the Federal Association of German Funeral Directors provides more information and comparisons. The average funeral director costs are listed here as 3,200 to 6,000 euros for an urn burial and 3,300 to 6,300 euros for a coffin burial.
Can I Prepare My Own Funeral?
Even though it's an uncomfortable thought for many, it makes sense to think about your own funeral early. It helps to clearly communicate your wishes and thoughts with trusted persons or, better yet, put them in writing. Because in the moment of grief, it's often a great burden to have to make many decisions - always with the thought of whether it's in accordance with the deceased person's wishes. Questions you can ask yourself are:
- How do I want to be buried? Burial or cremation?
- Where do I want to be buried?
- Who should come to my funeral and who shouldn't?
- Is there a specific song that should be played? Favorite flowers that should appear in arrangements?
Additionally, there's the option to take out funeral insurance. This covers funeral costs in the event of death and thus relieves the burden on the bereaved. Since there are many different insurance offers, it's worth comparing on one of the common insurance portals.
When Can a Donation Campaign Help with Funerals?
When a loved one passes away, it's important to have time to process the loss. Many bereaved find it helpful when they receive assistance with everyday tasks like shopping or cooking. Support with organizing a funeral or memorial service is also gladly accepted by many.
If financial concerns are added to the grief, for example because a house needs to be paid off or the deceased person was the sole earner for an entire family, a donation campaign can help. Also, if people have specific wishes and ideas for the funeral but can't afford them, crowdfunding is a nice way to support. This allows the bereaved to focus on processing their loss without being additionally burdened by financial worries.
What Should I Consider When Creating a Donation Campaign for Funerals?
You can create a crowdfunding campaign for yourself or people close to you. Before starting a campaign for someone else's funeral, you should absolutely ask for permission. Many people might be uncomfortable making their situation public or might not want the help. This must be respected!
If you have consent, it's important to write a good and appealing text so potential donors know what it's about and how the money will be used. Once your donation campaign is online, use all your networks like clubs, family, friends, work colleagues, and associations to draw attention to the fundraising campaign. Social media and messaging are also important tools to spread your fundraising campaign. The more people hear about it, the higher the probability that it will be shared further and you can reach your goal.
Conclusion
Funerals and memorial services are an important milestone in the grieving process and in saying goodbye to a loved one. It should be carefully thought through and, depending on the type, requires significant organizational effort. You can support the bereaved by thinking about how you want your own funeral to be while you're still alive or perhaps also by making financial provisions, for example with funeral insurance.
If financial worries come in addition to grief, a donation campaign can help the bereaved quickly and easily. So they can process the loss without having to simultaneously deal with financial existential fears.
Start a donation campaign for funeral costs now
FAQs about Funeral Costs: The Most Common Questions and Answers at a Glance
What can I do in advance to financially relieve my relatives in the event of death?
One's own death is a sensitive topic for many, but it's worth making provisions early. An important consideration is to record wishes for one's own funeral in advance and discuss them with relatives. For example, you can determine in advance whether a burial or cremation is desired, whether a memorial service should take place, or whether an anonymous burial is preferred.
Tip: With funeral insurance, you can ensure during your lifetime that your survivors will be financially relieved in the event of death. Here, the funeral costs are covered by the insurance so that relatives don't bear a financial burden.
How high are the costs for a funeral?
The costs for a funeral in Germany average about 13,000 euros. However, they can vary depending on the scope and individual wishes. Factors such as a memorial service, elaborate graves, and high-quality coffins can increase the costs. For example, a more elaborate burial with decorated coffins can easily cost over 20,000 euros.
Make sure to plan a financing option early to avoid unforeseen costs. Donation campaigns and crowdfunding can be a particularly helpful solution here.
When does a donation campaign for funerals make sense?
A donation campaign for funerals is particularly helpful when relatives are confronted with financial worries in addition to the emotional burden. The donation campaign offers a way to cover the costs for the funeral or fulfill certain wishes while helping the relatives financially during a difficult time.
