Living
Death Certificate & Registration
It seems as though there are classes for almost every stage and aspect of life, except for the practical steps of dealing with the death of a friend or relative. In a foreign country, these steps can become even more opaque and difficult, especially in Germany, where bureaucrats play a key role. Should a relative, friend or acquaintance die in your presence but not in a care home or hospital, dial 112 immediately to inform emergency services. They will then dispatch an emergency doctor to ascertain the cause of death and fill out a Totenschein, a sort of preliminary death certificate. You should also let the doctor know if the deceased wanted to donate any organs. If there are any doubts about the cause of death, the doctor will inform either the police or the local health agency for further investigation, which could include an autopsy.
An autopsy should take no more than three or four days and only the police or prosecutor’s office can force one against the wishes of the deceased or their survivors. If you yourself have doubts about the cause of death, let the police know your concerns – and demand a translator if needs be. Once the death has been verified and the body transported to the local morgue, you have 24 hours to register the death with the Standesamt in the district where the death occurred. Here you’ll exchange the Totenschein for a Sterbeurkunde, the final death certificate. Be sure to order additional certified copies of the document for the deceased’s insurance, bank accounts, landlord and employer. If your friend or relative was only in Germany briefly, a handful of copies should suffice, but if they were integrated into the German social system, experts recommend getting as many as 15 certified copies. The first will cost €7 and additional copies €3.50. It’s a good idea to bring along any identification from the deceased. If the person was not German, also notify the relevant embassy as quickly as possible. Most will exchange a German Sterbeurkunde for their own type of death certificate or a report of death abroad.
Next you’ll want to inform any life insurance companies and begin hunting for a will. You’ll also need to inform any employers, landlords and German government agencies that provided assistance or benefits. Each one will likely demand a certified copy of the death certificate. Finding a mortuary is no problem; several are located in each neighbourhood in Berlin – look for a Bestattungsinstitut.
An autopsy should take no more than three or four days and only the police or prosecutor’s office can force one against the wishes of the deceased or their survivors. If you yourself have doubts about the cause of death, let the police know your concerns – and demand a translator if needs be. Once the death has been verified and the body transported to the local morgue, you have 24 hours to register the death with the Standesamt in the district where the death occurred. Here you’ll exchange the Totenschein for a Sterbeurkunde, the final death certificate. Be sure to order additional certified copies of the document for the deceased’s insurance, bank accounts, landlord and employer. If your friend or relative was only in Germany briefly, a handful of copies should suffice, but if they were integrated into the German social system, experts recommend getting as many as 15 certified copies. The first will cost €7 and additional copies €3.50. It’s a good idea to bring along any identification from the deceased. If the person was not German, also notify the relevant embassy as quickly as possible. Most will exchange a German Sterbeurkunde for their own type of death certificate or a report of death abroad.
Next you’ll want to inform any life insurance companies and begin hunting for a will. You’ll also need to inform any employers, landlords and German government agencies that provided assistance or benefits. Each one will likely demand a certified copy of the death certificate. Finding a mortuary is no problem; several are located in each neighbourhood in Berlin – look for a Bestattungsinstitut.
