When someone dies in Germany
The process when a British national dies in Germany, including registering the death, funerals and cremations, and bringing the person’s body to the UK.
Contacting the insurance company
If the person who died had insurance, contact their insurance company as soon as possible. Read the general guidance on what to do when someone dies abroad, if you’re not sure if they had insurance.
The insurance company should appoint a funeral director in Germany and the UK. They may also cover the cost of bringing the person’s body to the UK (repatriation) and help with any medical, legal, interpretation and translation fees.
Registering the death
The death must be registered at the local German registry office within 3 working days. Your funeral director can normally do this for you. You’ll need information and documents about the person who has died, including their:
- birth certificate, showing their place of birth and parents’ names
- religion
- official identity document (for example their British passport)
- spouse’s details (if applicable)
- marriage certificate (if applicable)
- divorce papers (if applicable)
Getting a death certificate
After registering the death, you’ll get a death certificate (‘Sterbeurkunde’). You can ask for an international version (‘Internationale Sterbeurkunde’) which includes an English translation. German death certificates do not give the cause of death. It’s worth asking for extra copies of the death certificate, as you might need them to show to other people later. You’ll normally be able to get up to 3 copies for free and pay for further copies if you need them.
Post mortems in Germany
A post mortem is a medical examination of the body. There might be one in Germany if the cause of death is unknown, unnatural, sudden or violent.
Cultural or religious sensitivities may not be taken into account. Small tissue samples and organs may be removed for testing without the family’s permission. You’ll not automatically be told if this happens.
If organs are removed they will normally be returned before the person’s body is released for burial. In exceptional circumstances body parts may be kept without permission. This might happen if further investigation is needed. The next of kin will be told if this happens.
Post mortem reports are not usually given to the next of kin. If you have a local lawyer they can apply for a copy.
Burying or cremating the body in Germany
You need a local funeral director to arrange a burial or cremation in Germany. The exact rules on burials and cremations are different depending on where you are in Germany. Your funeral director can give you advice.
Bringing the body to the UK
Ask your funeral director about options for bringing the person’s body to the UK from Germany.
When taking the person’s body to the UK from Germany your funeral director will need to:
- show the death certificate
- get permission to remove the person’s body, issued by a coroner (or equivalent) in the country where they died
- provide a special casket for transporting the person’s body
- show the passport of the person who died
Bringing the ashes to the UK
You may need certain documents before you can take the ashes from the crematorium – your funeral director will arrange this for you.
Ask your funeral director about the rules for bringing ashes to the UK. They’re different depending on where you are in Germany.
Bringing the ashes to the UK yourself
If you’re taking the ashes with you when you leave Germany you’ll need to:
- show the death certificate
- show the cremation certificate
- follow local German regulations about leaving Germany with ashes - your funeral director can give you more information
You may also have to tell the airline – ask your funeral director for more information.
Arranging for the ashes to be taken to the UK
Ask your funeral director for advice if you cannot take the ashes yourself. You may not be able to send them by post or courier. Ashes can be shipped by air freight, although this can be expensive.
Getting the person’s belongings back
Belongings the person had with them when they died are normally given to you or the German police.
If you bring the person’s body to the UK, you can ask your local funeral director to collect all the belongings and transport them together.
If they were a German resident you may not be able to take the belongings as they may be part of their estate. Get legal advice if this happens.
Clothing may be kept as evidence if there’s an investigation into the death. This will only be returned when the court case is over.
Finding a German translator
You may need a translator to help you understand German rules or get documents translated. Check official translators in Germany. The embassy or consulate in Germany cannot provide translation services or pay for translation costs.
Finding a German lawyer
You may need a lawyer to help you understand the German legal system when someone has died. Check English-speaking lawyers in Germany. The embassy or consulate in Germany cannot give you legal advice or pay for legal costs.
Telling the UK authorities
Although you do not have to register the death in the UK, when someone dies abroad you still need to tell the UK authorities. Read general guidance on what to do when someone dies abroad to find out what to do.
Contacting the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
You can contact the FCDO if you still need advice:
- in the UK call +44 (0)20 7008 5000
- in Germany contact the nearest British embassy or consulate
Last updated 31 October 2023 + show all updates
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Restructured to better answer questions from British nationals and focus on the local rules and processes
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Fixed the related links
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First published.