What should be done in the event of a death?

First steps immediately after death

Medical statement of death

• Notify a doctor: When someone dies — whether at home or in a nursing home — a doctor must be called as soon as possible to officially establish death.
• Death certificate: This is issued by a doctor and is one of the most important Documents for the undertaker as well as for the subsequent application for a death certificate from the registry office.

tip: If the person dies in hospital or nursing home, the institution usually takes care of the medical confirmation.

Inform family and close friends

• Death in the family: Inform immediate relatives and close friends.
• special leave: Survivors are often entitled to special leave in the event of bereavement. You should therefore contact your employer.

Select undertaker

• Contact a funeral home: Before you choose a service provider, obtain at least two offers whenever possible. The price differences can be significant and you should feel well advised at the same time.
• Funeral provision: If the deceased person has already made funeral provision or took out death benefit insurance during his lifetime, these documents are usually settled in advance. Ask specifically about a pension contract.

Search for wills

• Find a will: Check whether the deceased has left a will. The original must be submitted immediately to the competent probate court (district court at the deceased's last place of residence).
• Several wills: If there are several versions, all must be filed with the court.

If you are looking for comprehensive advice, we are from Memovida always there for you. We provide you with transparent advice on all options, clarify open questions and support you throughout the organization.

Within the first week — further organizational steps

Organize a funeral

• Define burial type: burial, cremation, sea burial or alternative forms (e.g. forest burial). The deceased often already has written or oral requests for this.
• Plan a funeral: Date, place and process (ecclesiastical or secular) as well as the choice of music and floral arrangements.
• Select cemetery and grave type: Depending on the municipality, the fees and availability of grave sites differ.

Create your non-binding funeral offer now and let our experienced staff guide you — without any risk. Take advantage of our special package prices and arrange the farewell according to your individual wishes. We're here to help you at any time.

View contracts and bank accounts

• Check documents: Collect all contracts, memberships, and subscriptions from the deceased (e.g. rental contracts, association memberships, energy and telephone contracts).
• Account power of attorney: If there is a power of attorney beyond death, costs (e.g. burial) can be paid directly. Otherwise, you may need the certificate of inheritance to access the accounts.

After a week — what to do now

Apply for a certificate of inheritance

• What is the purpose of the certificate of inheritance?
  It legitimizes you as a legitimate heir vis-à-vis banks, insurance companies and authorities.
• Necessary steps: The certificate of inheritance is applied for from the probate court. The costs depend on the value of the estate.

Create an estate register

Together with the other heirs, you should have a Death checklist Create for all assets:

• Balances in accounts (bank, savings bank, building society)
• Securities, life insurance
• Real estate, vehicles
• Liabilities or other obligations

Clarify tenancy

• Death in the family for rented accommodation:
  • Spouses or children who lived with the deceased automatically enter into the tenancy, but have a special right of termination (one month after knowledge of death).
  • If the deceased was the sole tenant, the heirs can decide whether they want to continue or terminate the tenancy.

Apply for a survivor's pension

• Inform pension fund: If you receive a survivor's pension as a spouse or child, you must apply to the German Pension Insurance.
• Quarter of death: In the first three months after death, widows/widowers usually receive the deceased's full pension. This requires a rapid application (within 30 days).

Further important points at a glance

Dealing with digital estate

• social media accounts: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and others
  • Without access data: Written request to the provider, together with a copy of a death certificate.
  • With login data: Delete profiles yourself or set them to a memorized state, if desired.
• email accounts: Also check cancellation or deletion.

Tax Office and Inheritance Tax

• Reporting requirement: Anyone who inherits or receives life insurance as a beneficiary must report the death to the tax office within three months.
• Tax return for deceased: An income tax return is often required for the year of death, which the heirs file.

Other insurance in case of death

• Home insurance: Expires two months after death if no one takes over the apartment and furnishings.
• residential building insurance: Is transferred to the heir, as is car insurance, if a car is available.
• liability insurance: It usually expires at the time of death of the insured person; contact the insurer so that contributions already paid can be reimbursed on a pro rata basis.

Coping with grief and emotional support

The Dealing with death someone close to you is very individual. In addition to organizational duties, survivors should not neglect their own grief. Take advantage of offers such as:

• Grief counseling by chaplains
• Support groups or online forums
• Conversations with psychologists or specialist grief therapists

Summary as a checklist

The following is a brief overview of the question: What should be done in the event of a death?

1. Immediately (day 1—2)
   • Call a doctor, have a death certificate issued
   • Inform relatives (death of spouse, close relatives)
   • Search for and secure a will
   • Select undertaker
   • Inform insurance (s) (e.g. death benefit insurance) as soon as possible
2. Within 2-3 days
   • Report a death to the registry office
   • Apply for death certificate (s)
   • arrange for a transfer to the morgue or to the undertaker
   • Inform employer if the deceased was employed
   • If applicable Caring for pets/Regulating the household
3. Within the first week
   • Determine the type of burial, organize a funeral service
   • Review and, if necessary, cancel contracts, accounts, subscriptions, and memberships
   • Notify other insurance companies (accident insurance, health insurance)
   • Clarify tenancy
   • Create an estate register
4. As it progresses (after one week to several months)
   • Apply for an inheritance certificate (if required)
   • Apply for a survivor's pension from Deutsche Post's pension service or pension insurance
   • Dissolve or transfer a digital estate (email, social media)
   • Inform tax authorities, check inheritance tax (if applicable)
   • If necessary, prepare the last tax return for the deceased

conclusion

A Death in the family In addition to the emotional burden, involves many organizational steps. Anyone who asks the question early on”What to do in case of death at home?“discusses and provides a clear death checklist, can proceed in a structured manner in an emergency. This includes obtaining a death certificate, applying for a death certificate, informing the right authorities (e.g. insurance companies, registry office) and clarifying the estate. Good preparation — for example through preventive powers of attorney, health care directives or an overview of digital access — makes things much easier for you and your relatives.

important: Check carefully whether your Insurance in case of death informed in good time and all deadlines were met. In some cases (e.g. accident insurance), late reporting may jeopardize benefits claims.

Finally, despite the numerous to-dos, take time for your grief. Professional help and discussions with confidants can help Dealing with death facilitate. As serious as the loss of a loved one is, well-organized estate processing and burial give you the space to say your goodbyes with dignity and to cherish memories.

Why choose Memovida as a funeral home?

We from Memovida are always there for you and help you to carefully and respectfully implement all necessary steps in the event of a death. It is important to us to relieve you of as much work as possible during this stressful time and to provide you with comprehensive support — from the initial organization to the funeral service and the completion of all formalities.

Feel free to get in touch with usif you would like competent and sensitive support. Together, we will find the right solution that meets your needs and the wishes of the deceased.