What to do when a family member passes away
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A doctor must certify the death and issue the death certificate. For expected death, call the family doctor, otherwise call emergency services (112).
A funeral home takes care of the transfer and helps with all formalities. Compare offers – prices vary greatly!
The death must be reported to the registry office within 3 working days. The registry office then issues death certificates.
The German Pension Insurance must be informed of the death. There may be entitlement to widow's/widower's pension or orphan's pension.
All ongoing contracts of the deceased must be cancelled: rent, insurance, phone, subscriptions, memberships.
The certificate of inheritance proves you are an heir. It is applied for at the probate court and is needed for real estate and bank accounts.
After a death: check if the deceased had life or risk life insurance. These must be actively reported to the insurer – they are not automatically paid out. Also for your own provision: now is the moment to protect your family.