Cost coverage by the authorities
If relatives are unable to cover the costs of a funeral, it is possible to apply to the Social Welfare Office or Public Order Office for the costs to be covered. The legal basis for this is Section 74 of SGB XII. The legislation refers to the ‘necessary costs’ – meaning a simple but dignified funeral.
In the state capital of Hanover, the Hanover Public Order Office is responsible for this; in the Hanover region, the respective local public order offices are responsible. As part of the procedure, the financial circumstances of all relatives liable for the funeral costs are disclosed. Important to note: A prerequisite for the costs to be covered is that all persons liable for the funeral costs renounce the inheritance.
Who can submit an application? Are all costs reimbursed? We will clarify all the important questions with you.
What you can decide for yourself in the case of a state-funded funeral
Even in the context of a state-funded funeral, you make the key decisions – within the guidelines set by the Social Welfare Office. In practical terms, this means you can choose between:
- Burial or cremation
- A viewing with an open coffin, a funeral service or an urn burial service – in a cemetery chapel or church of your choice
- the cemetery in Hanover or in the Hanover region where the burial is to take place
- alternative burial forms such as a burial at sea or a forest burial in a RuheForst or FriedWald – such as the RuheForst Deister in Wennigsen-Bredenbeck
However, these options are only available if the funeral is arranged in good time and within the statutory deadlines.
The burial deadline in Lower Saxony: Just Eight Days
Here lies the central difficulty with many social funerals: the review of the application by the social welfare office can take several weeks or even months. At the same time, Section 8(2) of the Lower Saxony Burial Act stipulates that a burial must take place within eight days.
As many funeral directors require advance payment for state-funded funerals, relatives without their own funds often find themselves in a seemingly hopeless situation: the deadline passes without a funeral taking place.
In this case, the relatives usually receive a letter from the Public Order Office informing them of the legal obligation to arrange a funeral and setting a new deadline.
What happens if this deadline expires?
If no funeral takes place within this deadline either, the authorities will take action by way of a so-called ‘substitute performance’ (Section 8(4) of the Lower Saxony Funeral Act). In the state capital, Hanover, the Hanover Public Order Office is responsible for this; in the rest of the Hanover region, the respective local public order offices are responsible. The authorities will then arrange for cremation with an anonymous urn burial.
For relatives, this means: no farewell, no funeral service, no individually marked grave that could be visited later. At the same time, the costs of the Public Order Office’s funeral are nevertheless charged to the relatives responsible for the funeral – and can amount to several thousand Euros. It is precisely this situation that can be avoided.
We are here for you!
Please feel free to call us directly or send us an e-mail. We will assess your situation individually, discreetly and free of charge.
Phone: 0511 / 46 44 45
Mail: info@cordes-bestattungen.de
Please contact us at an early stage so that we can meet the deadlines for you!
Benefit from our experience!
We have been working for many years in the field of state-funded funerals in the Hanover region and are familiar with the procedures from daily practice as well as in their legal and organisational contexts.
Please note:
- Funeral costs for a social funeral are covered by the relevant social welfare office
- Swift action is required to meet deadlines
- All types of funeral remain possible
Sven Friedrich Cordes specialises in social funerals and has conducted extensive research into social and public order office funerals in the Hanover region as part of an academic thesis. He is familiar with the procedures from day-to-day practice – both legally and organisationally – and has already supported many relatives through difficult situations.
This form will give you an idea of the information the social welfare office requires from you for an application. We can help you with the application process!
Our approach: Fast and uncomplicated
As a contract partner of the Social Services Office for the Hanover region, we can in many cases arrange the funeral immediately and within the required timeframe – even if the decision from the relevant authority is still pending. We bill according to the rates set by the Social Services and guide you through the entire process.
