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).
Contact a funeral home in Duisburg. The funeral director usually handles the death registration at the registry office and all necessary official procedures - this is a great relief during this difficult time. You will need the death certificate from the doctor.
The death must be registered at the registry office of the place of death by the third working day at the latest. In practice, the funeral home handles this. You will receive several copies of the death certificate (one each for insurance, banks, etc.).
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.
If there is no will or the estate includes real property, you will need a certificate of inheritance. The probate court at Duisburg district court is responsible. With a will, notarial opening is often sufficient.
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.