Death and burial

Articles and tips that matter to you in Germany.

An Unforgettable Holiday in Bergkamen

Stopping the Deceased Person’s Pension – Notification Within One Month

Testamentary Appointment of a Legal Guardian – Requirements for Recognition by the Court

The Will of a Muslim Living in Germany – How Should It Be Drafted to Reconcile the BGB and Islamic Law?

A “Betreuungsverfügung” Not Implemented Due to Death – Legal Consequences

Customs Non-Objection Certificate (Zollfreigabe) Before Shipment

Is burial without a coffin permitted in cemeteries in some federal states?

Is the Zakat due deducted from the estate before distribution?

Transfer of jointly held real estate (Gesamthandseigentum) to the heirs

Is the transfer of a deceased person’s ashes (urn) religiously prohibited? A jurisprudential and legal explanation

Transfer of the remains of a previously deceased person from Germany to Turkey – practical step-by-step procedure

Transfer of GmbH shares to the heirs – procedures before the commercial register (Handelsregister)

Transporting a body within Germany – zinc coffin (Zinksarg) or thermal body bag?

Transporting a body overland via Poland – border requirements

Orphans’ benefit (half and full orphans’ pension – Halb- und Vollwaisenrente): how to apply

Medical examination of the deceased (Leichenschau) – procedures and expected fees

Widow’s pension (Witwenrente) from the German Pension Insurance (Deutsche Rentenversicherung) for Muslims

The Fate of Islamic Bank Accounts (e.g. Al-Baraka) in Germany

“Haftungsbeschränkung” document to limit liability for debts

Parental leave (Elternzeit) entitlements for working widowed mothers

Waiting period before burial in Germany – how can the burial be completed within 48 hours?

When is registering a will at the consulate considered an alternative to German notarisation?

متطلبات السفارة السورية أو العراقية لنقل الجثمان جوًا

What should you do first when a Muslim relative dies in Germany?

What happens to the rental contract if the main tenant dies? The family’s rights

European Union Regulation on the Cross-Border Transfer of Human Remains (2024-768)

How to request an Arabic-speaking imam for washing and prayer in the eastern federal states of Germany

How to prove payment of fees for an Islamic power of attorney before the court

How to prove the legal heirs in Germany when the family is abroad

The value of the tax allowance (Freibetrag) for non-naturalised Muslims compared to Germans

List of mosques approved by municipalities for large funeral ceremonies

Permissible time period for visiting the Islamic washing facility in the hospital

Lease-to-own contracts after death: the Islamic and legal position

Request to open an estate account (Nachlasskonto) for settling the deceased’s funds

Request for a “Halal burial” certificate (Halal-Beisetzung) from the imam for the cemetery

Value-added tax (VAT) on funeral services – is it refundable?

Inheritance tax (Erbschaftsteuer): exemptions for spouses and descendants

Community solidarity fund (Janaza-Kasse): membership requirements and benefits

Funeral prayer (Salat al-Janaza) in the mosque: coordination with the imam and the mosque association

Death certificate (Sterbeurkunde): where to obtain it and which documents are required?

Flowers or gravel? Municipal regulations on decorating Islamic graves

Caring for orphaned children in the extended family and entitlement to Kindergeld

Debts of the deceased – liability of the heirs under § 1967 BGB

Tax debts (Steuerschulden): order of payment before distributing the estate

The role of the funeral insurance fund (“Beerdigungskasse”) in covering international transport costs

The role of Islamic insurance companies (Takaful) in death coverage

The role of the “BDB” association in issuing Islamic burial fatwas

The role of the European Islamic Bank in issuing condolence sukuk

The role of the imam in issuing the burial permit at the Ordnungsamt (public order office)

Paying Sharia-based debts before distributing the estate: a legal mechanism in Germany

The option of accepting the estate subject to an inventory reservation (Inventarvorbehalt)

Steps for repatriating the deceased (Überführung) to the country of origin

Mobile body-washing service for families living far from major cities

Facebook Legacy Contact services under German law

“Bestattungsvorsorgevertrag” (funeral pre-arrangement) services for Muslims to avoid financial problems

Possession of a licensed weapon after the owner’s death – procedures for handover

Protecting disabled persons (Behindertentestament) in Muslim families

Protection of tenants (Mieterschutz) in cases of sudden death

Prohibition of cremation of Muslim remains – the legal basis in Germany

Calculation of obligatory zakat on invested assets after death

The sanctity of organs (organ donation) for Muslims – the position of Islamic jurisprudence and related documentation

Reserving a permanent grave plot (Dauergrab) to avoid exhumation requirements after 20 years

Distribution of shares in a real estate project under construction among the heirs

Distribution of an estate in Bitcoin: legal challenges

Standardising translated Arabic documents to avoid name errors

Organising Salat al-Ghaib (funeral in absentia) when the deceased is buried outside Germany

Cost of shipping a coffin by air – 2025 estimate based on volume and weight

Costs of an Islamic cemetery versus a municipal cemetery – 2025 comparison

Division of real estate assets abroad and cooperation with the German notary

Division of gold and jewellery within the estate (Nachlass) under German law

Appointment of a guardian (Vormundschaft) for underage Muslim children

Compensation from the Unfallkasse if death occurs during working hours

How Versicherungskammer Bayern handles fatal road accidents

Liquidation of an online store owned by the deceased

Settlement and termination of association membership after death

Liquidation of a sole proprietorship after the owner’s death

Where is the corpse export permit (Leichenpass) applied for?

Burial permit (cemetery permit) – special application for Islamic cemeteries

Handover of pets owned by the deceased to an animal shelter under animal welfare law

Updating health insurance records for orphans when changing the health insurance provider

Preparation of the deceased according to Islamic law: ritual washing (ghusl) and legally compliant shrouding

Impact of differing Hijri and Gregorian dates of birth on inheritance documents

Sale of a property bequeathed for charitable purposes – court approval

Sale of the deceased’s car: deregistration (Abmeldung) and authorization of the heirs

Sale of publishing rights to the deceased’s book: heirs’ consent and copyright law

Organ donor card: does it affect Islamic burial?

The digital will – managing Facebook and Google accounts after death

The certificate of inheritance (Erbschein) – procedures at the probate court (Nachlassgericht)

Obtaining support from the Sozialamt for funeral expenses when your income is low

Performing Hajj on behalf of the deceased – legal authorization and travel of the heirs

Waiving an inheritance (Erbausschlagung) – deadlines and risks

Inheritance dispute between the first and second wife in Germany

Compensation from the insurance company after a fatal workplace accident

Dealing with cargo companies at Frankfurt and Berlin airports

International bank transfer of the inheritance share for the heir residing abroad

Charitable donations (Waqf, Sadaqa Jariyah) – registering a German association in the name of the deceased

Insurance for funeral costs (Sterbegeldversicherung) – is it worth it?

Religious objection to autopsy – the family’s right and how to submit the request

Free consultations at the Verbraucherzentrale regarding the debts of the deceased

Choosing between a traditional burial and a row grave (Reihengrab) in the cemetery

The difference between statutory inheritance under German law (Erbfolge) and Islamic inheritance shares according to Sharia (al-farāʾid)

Procedures when a Muslim dies as a result of a criminal incident – mandatory autopsy (Obduktion Pflicht)

Reporting a death to the registry office (Standesamt) within 24 hours – step by step

Refund of unused health insurance contributions

Refund of unused health insurance contributions

Using “Grabbekleidung” in a way permitted by religious and legal rules

Entitlement to life insurance benefits (Lebensversicherung) – payout documents

Choosing an Islamic funeral company (Islamisches Bestattungsinstitut) – criteria for making the right choice

Use of ‘idda maintenance’ for widows under German law

Cancelling electronic subscriptions (Abos, streaming services) – authorization of the heirs

Terminating phone and electricity contracts – cancellation without late penalty fees

Announcing a death in local newspapers – wording and costs

Issuing the “Totenbescheinigung” in hospital – differences between forms A and B

Reburial in a second country after several years – procedures for exhuming the grave

Notifying the consulate of the death of a Muslim citizen – when is it mandatory?

Guidelines of the Moroccan consulate for a family’s waiver regarding the body of their relative

Managing YouTube channels after the owner’s death – rights to the revenue

Notifications from statutory health insurance (GKV) in the event of the insured person’s death

Kindergeld for children after a parent’s death – continued entitlement subject to certain conditions

The Jugendamt and its role in caring for minors after the death of the father or mother