Preparing the medical death certificate (Totenbescheinigung) in Germany
The difference between version A and version B – and why it matters for Muslim families
When a person dies in Germany, a medical death certificate (ärztliche Leichenschau mit Totenbescheinigung) must be issued. This is an official document that may only be completed by a licensed physician after physically examining the deceased.
The death certificate is the first step in the process of burial, official registration, and obtaining permits for transport or repatriation. Therefore, it is essential to understand its structure, the types of forms, and the difference between versions A and B.
The Totenbescheinigung is the official certificate issued by the doctor after confirming the death. It typically contains:
Date and time of death
Cause of death (if it can be determined provisionally)
Assessment of whether there is any suspicion of a criminal act or “unnatural death”
Condition of the body (temperature, rigor mortis, external signs or injuries)
Personal data of the deceased
This medical certificate is required before the civil registry office (Standesamt) can issue the official death certificate (Sterbeurkunde). It also forms the basis for granting the burial permit (Bestattungsgenehmigung).
Sent to the civil registry office (Standesamt)
Does not contain sensitive medical information
Used for civil and legal documentation
Required for burial, domestic transfer or international shipment of the body
Contains detailed medical information about the cause of death
Includes the physician’s notes on injuries, infectious diseases, or suspicious findings
Sent to the public health authority (Gesundheitsamt)
Used for public health monitoring, statistics, and, where necessary, forensic medicine
In cases of an unnatural death (Unnatürlicher Tod), version B may be forwarded directly to the police or the public prosecutor’s office.
The doctor who officially declares the person dead (family doctor, emergency doctor, hospital physician)
A direct physical examination of the deceased (Leichenschau) must take place before the form is completed
In hospitals this examination is usually carried out within about one hour after death
Muslim families usually wish to bury the deceased as quickly as possible, ideally within 24–48 hours.
Any delay in issuing the Totenbescheinigung leads to delays in obtaining burial permits or authorizations for repatriation to another country.
If the physician notes any suspicion (even as a precaution), for example unclear circumstances or possible external influence, the burial process is put on hold.
The file is then forwarded to the police and forensic medicine, which may result in an autopsy – something that many Muslim families would like to avoid for religious reasons whenever possible.
For transporting the body to another country, version A of the Totenbescheinigung, a corpse passport (Leichenpass) and an export certificate (Exportbescheinigung) are usually required.
Therefore, it is crucial to receive version A promptly and submit it to the relevant authorities.
| Recommendation | Why? |
|---|---|
| Request an immediate copy of Part A | To speed up the registration of the death and the burial procedures |
| Explicitly ask the doctor about the recorded cause of death | To make sure that no wording is used that could delay repatriation or trigger an autopsy |
| Contact an Islamic funeral service as early as possible | These services are familiar with the documents, hospitals, authorities and consulates |
| Find out which authorities are responsible in your federal state | Some federal states use slightly different forms and layouts for the Totenbescheinigung |
Understanding the difference between versions A and B of the medical death certificate is essential to avoid delays and complications – especially for Muslim families who are aiming for a quick burial or the repatriation of the deceased.
Version A is used for administrative procedures (such as permits, registration at the Standesamt, burial and transfer), whereas version B is sent confidentially to the health authorities and contains the detailed medical information.
Knowing these distinctions helps organize the process more efficiently, respect religious requirements and, at the same time, comply with German law.
The editorial and writing team of this website makes every effort to provide accurate information based on thorough research and consultation of multiple sources. Nevertheless, errors or uncertainties may occur. For this reason, please regard the information in this article as an initial reference and always contact the competent authorities to obtain binding and up-to-date information.
