Process to Follow in Case of Death

Process to Follow in Case of Death (for Indian Citizens in Germany)

  1. Initial Steps
  • Inform the Indian Consulate: Contact the Indian Consulate responsible for your state.
  • Talk to Family: Decide if the funeral will be conducted in Germany or if the body/ashes will be sent to India.
    • For transport to India, Lufthansa or Air India are preferred options.
  1. Funeral Arrangements
  • Contact a Funeral Service Agency (Bestattungsinstitut):
    • Example: Aman Bestattungsinstitut, Frankfurt, Mobile 0173 4131476 or other agency.
    • Only a licensed funeral agent can collect the deceased from the hospital.
  1. Depending on the Cause of Death
  • If Death Occurred Due to Illness in Hospital:
    • The deceased is kept in the hospital.
    • Hospital issues Discharge Report (Entlassungsbrief).
    • Police issue clearance to the funeral agent for pickup.
  • If Death Occurred Unexpectedly (e.g., accident, suicide, etc.):
    • The body is taken by the police and kept in a hospital.
    • The court decides whether an autopsy is needed.
    • After an autopsy, police issue a clearance to the funeral agent for collection.
  1. Documentation
  • Funeral agent uses hospital/police reports to apply for a Death Certificate (Sterbeurkunde) at the Standesamt (civil registry).
    • Processing time depends on the city.
  • Submit these documents, along with the original passport of the deceased, to the Indian Consulate, along with a cover letter (if body or ashes are to be taken to India).
  • Consulate provides:
    • Death Registration Certificate
    • No Objection Certificate (NOC)
    • Cancelled Passport
    • All documents are bilingual (German-English).
  1. Transport of the Body/Ashes to India
  • Funeral agent performs embalming and issues embalming certificate.
  • Agent contacts the airline and handles the approval process with:
    • Airline agency (Lufthansa, Air India)
    • Delhi Airport Authorities (mandatory, even if arriving in another Indian city)
  • Important: Only the funeral agent handles communication with airline/airport authorities.
  1. Upon Arrival in India
  • Submit all relevant documents at immigration along with the cancelled passport of the deceased.
  • Contact NRI Department in your home state for help with ambulance and logistics.

Important Information for Dependents

Financial & Legal

  • If no nominee on bank account, apply for Legal Heir Certificate (Erbschein) via Nachlassburo.
  • Apply for dependent pension, if eligible.
  • Explore visa options if dependents plan to stay or return to Germany.

Support Services

  • TK (Techniker Krankenkasse) may provide support/childcare for mourning spouse.
  • Reach out to Indian associations or friends for:
    • Emotional and community support
    • Initiating fundraisers, if needed (Example: Fundraiser Stalin).

Insurance & Estimated Costs

  • Sterbegeldversicherung (Funeral Insurance): Recommended to cover funeral expenses.
  • Keep an emergency fund of €7,000–€10,000 easily accessible to spouse/family.

Cost Estimates

Type Approximate Cost
Transport of the Body to India €3,500 (excluding family flight tickets)
Cremation in Germany + Sending Ashes €3,000–€4,000
Burial in Germany €7,000–€10,000

Source : Google Search