If you are organizing a funeral, you will face financial issues as well as grief. We help you to understand the costs of a funeral, break down the individual items and provide information on financial assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Funeral Costs
💰 What is the average cost of a funeral?
The cost of a funeral varies greatly depending on the type of burial (burial, cremation, sea burial, woodland burial), region, features (coffin/urn, gravestone), and the scope of the funeral service. A simple, anonymous funeral starts at around €2,000 to €3,000. The average costs in Germany are usually between €6,000 and €12,000. Elaborate traditional burials with a large service and high-quality memorial can also cost over €15,000.
🤔 Who has to pay the funeral costs?
Generally, the following order applies:
- The estate (inheritance): First, the costs are covered by the deceased's assets.
- The heirs: If the estate is insufficient, the heirs are liable with their private assets (according to their share of the inheritance). This is the statutory obligation to bear costs.
- Persons liable for maintenance: If there are no (solvent) heirs, close relatives (spouse, children, parents) may be obliged to cover the costs, even if they have disclaimed the inheritance.
- Social welfare office ("social funeral"): If those obliged to pay can demonstrably not cover the costs, an application for cost absorption according to § 74 SGB XII (Social Security Code Book XII) can be made to the responsible social welfare office (at the deceased's last place of residence). The costs for a simple but dignified funeral will then be covered.
📋 What makes up the funeral costs?
The total costs are usually divided into three areas:
- Services of the funeral director: e.g., transfer of the body, hygienic care, dressing, coffin or urn, organization (appointments, documents), use of facilities, funeral stationery.
- Cemetery fees: Costs for the right to use the grave (usually for 15-30 years), the burial itself (opening/closing the grave), use of the funeral hall/chapel. For cremations, there are additional costs for the cremation (often via the funeral director or directly from the crematorium).
- Other costs (optional): Gravestone/memorial, grave design/landscaping, funeral speaker, music, floral arrangements, funeral reception (wake), costs for death certificates, possibly later grave care.
⚖️ Who sets the cemetery fees and are they negotiable?
Cemetery fees are set by the respective municipality or the church body that owns the cemetery in a fee schedule. They are not negotiable. The amount can vary considerably depending on the municipality and the chosen type of grave (e.g., family grave, row grave, anonymous grave). It may be worthwhile to compare if several cemeteries are available.
💶 What is the cheapest type of funeral?
An anonymous cremation is often the most cost-effective option. The urn is buried in a communal plot without individual marking. This eliminates the costs for a gravestone, individual grave design, and subsequent grave care. Further savings are possible if a funeral service is omitted. Sea or woodland burials can also be cheaper than traditional earth burials, as there are no classic cemetery fees and no costs for a gravestone/grave care.
📑 Can funeral costs be deducted from taxes?
Yes, under certain conditions. If the deceased's estate is not sufficient to cover the funeral costs, and you, as an heir or person liable for maintenance, have to bear the costs, you can claim them as an extraordinary burden in your tax return. Important: Only the amount that exceeds your personal "reasonable burden" is taken into account. This limit depends on your income, marital status, and the number of your children. Costs covered by insurance (e.g., funeral insurance) cannot be deducted.
Overview of Funeral Cost Factors
The total cost of a funeral in Germany averages between €6,000 and €12,000. However, the final price depends heavily on the type of funeral, the region, and your individual wishes. Here is an overview of the main cost blocks with typical price ranges:
| Cost Block | Typical Range (approx.) | Includes e.g. |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral Director Services | €1,500 - €3,500 | Organization, care, transfer, consultation |
| Coffin / Urn | €750 - €4,000 | Material & Design (urn often cheaper) |
| Cemetery / Burial | €1,800 - €5,500 | Grave fee (right of use), burial, funeral hall, possibly cremation |
| Gravestone & Initial Design | €1,700 - €6,500 | Stonemason (material, inscription), initial planting |
| Funeral Service & Miscellaneous | €700 - €3,000 | Speaker, music, flowers, funeral stationery, death certificates |
Please note: These are estimates that can vary regionally and depending on the provider. A detailed cost estimate from the funeral director is essential for an accurate calculation. Compare offers, especially for third-party services such as stonemasonry.
Comparison of Funeral Types by Cost
The choice of funeral type has a significant impact on the total costs. Here is an overview of the most common forms:
Earth Burial (Burial in a Coffin)
The traditional earth burial is often the most expensive option. It requires a coffin and usually a larger grave (family or row grave) with a longer tenure and corresponding cemetery fees. The costs for a gravestone and grave care are also usually higher here.
Typical cost range: approx. €7,000 - €15,000+
Cremation (Incineration with Urn Burial)
Cremation is often cheaper. After incineration, the ashes are buried in an urn. Urn graves are smaller, and the grave usage fees are often lower than for coffin graves. There are additional costs for the cremation, but the urn is usually cheaper than a coffin. Various burial sites are possible (cemetery, woodland cemetery, sea).
Typical cost range (urn grave in cemetery): approx. €4,500 - €9,000
Natural Burials (Woodland or Sea Burial)
These alternatives to cemetery burial are gaining popularity.
- Woodland Burial: The urn is buried at the roots of a tree in a designated woodland cemetery. There are no costs for a gravestone and grave care, but there are fees for the tree plot and the burial. (approx. €4,000 - €7,000)
- Sea Burial: The ashes are committed to the sea in a special, water-soluble urn. Costs arise for the shipping company and the ceremony at sea. There are no grave care costs. (approx. €3,500 - €6,500)
The costs for natural burials are often in the mid-range but can vary depending on the provider and design.
Financing Funeral Costs
Who bears the costs?
The costs of a funeral are primarily to be paid from the deceased's estate (inheritance). If this is insufficient, the legal heirs are liable. If they can demonstrably not bear the costs, the social welfare office may step in under certain circumstances (see below). More details on the order of cost-bearing responsibility can be found in the FAQ section above.
Options for Coverage and Support
If the costs cannot be covered directly from the estate or by the heirs, there are various options:
- Funeral provision: Had the deceased made provisions? Check if funeral insurance or a funeral provision contract with a funeral director exists. Some life insurance policies may also provide funds.
- Social funeral: In cases of proven need of those obliged to bear the costs, the costs for a simple, dignified funeral can be covered by the responsible social welfare office (§ 74 SGB XII). An application is required.
- Tax deductibility: Costs that exceed the value of the estate and were borne by you may, under certain circumstances, be deducted from taxes as an extraordinary burden (less the reasonable burden).
- Private fundraising campaigns: Platforms like GoFundMe allow for the collection of donations from family and friends to cover costs. (Example: Start a GoFundMe campaign)
Tips for Reducing Funeral Costs
A dignified funeral can be arranged even on a limited budget. Here are some approaches:
- Compare offers: Obtain detailed, written cost estimates from several funeral directors and compare services and prices.
- Consider the type of burial: A cremation or natural burial is often cheaper than a traditional earth burial. An anonymous burial is usually the least expensive option.
- Choose the furnishings: Opt for a simpler coffin or a more basic urn. Functionality and dignity are not mutually exclusive with a lower price.
- Consider the type of grave: A row grave is often cheaper than a family grave. For anonymous graves or natural burials, costs for a gravestone and care are eliminated.
- Adjust the scope of the service: A service with only the closest circle reduces costs for catering and venue rental.
- Limit floral arrangements: Focus on a central coffin or urn arrangement instead of many individual wreaths.
- Use digital channels: Use cost-effective digital obituaries to inform relatives and friends instead of expensive newspaper advertisements.
- Consider DIY: Simple tasks such as designing and printing funeral cards can possibly be done yourself.