A dignified farewell is an important part of life. However, funeral costs in Germany typically range between €6,000 and €13,000. Since statutory health insurance abolished state death benefits in 2004, these costs fall entirely on surviving family members. A Funeral Expense Insurance ensures your loved ones are protected from financial distress.
Key Facts at a Glance
| What is covered | An agreed sum for funeral costs, paid to your dependants or directly to a funeral home when you die. |
|---|---|
| What is not covered | If death occurs during the waiting period, usually only the premiums are refunded, except for accidental death. Details |
| Who needs it | For anyone who wants to spare their relatives the funeral costs and has not set aside enough savings for them. |
| What does it cost | For 50-year-olds, a sum insured of €8,000 usually costs around €25 to €35 per month. Non-binding guide value (as of 2026); your premium depends on your situation. You can calculate your exact premium in the comparison calculator on this page. |
| What to look out for | Match the sum to actual funeral costs, and check the waiting period, premium payment term and whether saving would be cheaper. |
The Becker Family Story: Dignified Farewell Without Financial Stress
Fictional example for illustration; all persons and events are invented.
When Herbert Becker unexpectedly passed away, his two adult children faced profound grief. Alongside their emotional loss, the siblings suddenly received funeral home invoices totaling €9,200 for casket, cemetery fees, floral arrangements, and service coordination.
Fortunately, Herbert had wisely taken out a €10,000 Sterbegeldversicherung years earlier. The lump sum payout was transferred directly to the children within days. This allowed the siblings to focus entirely on honoring their father's memory without touching personal savings or resorting to loans.
Benefits of Funeral Expense Insurance
- No Medical Exam: Easy sign-up without health questionnaires for most age groups.
- Guaranteed Payout: Fixed capital sum specifically allocated for funeral expenses.
- Protected Asset Status: Exempt from social welfare access in case of long-term care needs.
- Fast Direct Transfer: Quick payout to named beneficiaries without probate delays.
- Accidental Death Cover: Immediate full coverage from day one in case of accidental death.
What Is Not Covered
Funeral insurance is deliberately simple. You should know these limits:
- Waiting period: If you die in the first years and not due to an accident, often only the premiums paid are refunded.
- Premiums above the sum: With a long term, total premiums can exceed the sum insured; consumer advice centres therefore recommend checking carefully.
- No income protection: For financial protection of your family, term life insurance is the right product.
How I Help You When You Need to Claim Benefits
As your broker, I am legally on your side, not the insurer's, and that matters most when something happens. This is how we proceed:
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1. Report it quickly
Let me know as soon as possible, by WhatsApp, phone, email or directly in the simplr app. Many policy conditions require prompt notification.
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2. Document everything
Keep photos, invoices, reports and the names of everyone involved. Good documentation speeds up processing considerably. How to write the claim report.
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3. Inform the funeral home
Dependants need the death certificate and the policy. If the benefit has been assigned, the insurer pays the funeral home directly.
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4. I take care of the rest
I submit the case to the insurer, follow up and check the settlement. If the insurer refuses or cuts benefits, we look at the reasons together. What to do after a denial.
Compare Rates Yourself
Use our comparison tool to calculate premiums and find the best rates for your situation. You can sign up directly online.
Tip: When comparing tariffs, make sure they include: cover for repatriation costs (important if you might be buried abroad) and handling of funeral formalities. Only tick “Verzicht auf Gesundheitsfragen” if your health leaves no other option, as the premium is higher and a waiting period usually applies. I am happy to check the tariffs with you.
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Please note: this calculator is provided by a German platform and is only available in German. If you need help filling it in, I am happy to go through it with you in English.