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How fast does funeral insurance pay out in Germany?

In short

Funeral insurance in Germany often pays out within one to two weeks once the named beneficiary sends the death certificate and policy. How fast it goes depends mostly on the documents. Under section 14 of the Insurance Contract Act the money is due once the insurer has checked the case. If that takes more than a month, you can ask for an advance payment.

How fast does funeral insurance pay out in Germany?

What it costs

Guide figures for sums, premiums and costs that have to be bridged until the payout.

ExampleTypical range
Funeral insurance, start at 60, sum EUR 7,000about EUR 35 to 39 a month
Funeral insurance, start at 70, sum EUR 7,000 to 8,000about EUR 54 to 63 a month
Cremation with an urn graveabout EUR 4,000 to 6,000
Burial in a family plotabout EUR 8,000 to 12,000

Guide values as of October 2026 from published tariff examples and cost overviews.

One to two weeks is a guide value from our quoting practice; we obtain the exact quote for you.

Worked example

Daughter named, documents complete

The mother dies on a Monday. Her daughter is the named beneficiary and reports the death on Wednesday.

Claim reported with policy numberday 3
Death certificate from the registry officeday 5
Insurer checks the claima few days
Payout of EUR 7,000around day 10 to 15

The money arrives about two weeks after the death. The days are a guide value from our quoting practice.

What the law says

Under section 14 of the Insurance Contract Act (VVG) payments fall due once the insurer has finished the checks needed to establish the claim. There is no fixed number of days. If the checks are not finished one month after you reported the death, you can demand an advance of the amount the insurer must pay at least.

If missing documents on your side cause the delay, that month does not run. Complete documents are the main lever.

What speeds up the payout and what slows it down

Most funeral insurance claims are simple. These cases take longer.

SituationEffect on timing
Person named as beneficiaryfast, no proof of inheritance
"The heirs" or nobody namedslow, proof of heirs needed
Death in the waiting periodcause of death checked, usually refund of premiums
Young policy with health questionsanswers at application may be checked
Accidental death with double benefitproof of accident needed

Faster than a bank account

A named beneficiary gets the money without waiting for an Erbschein. A bank account of the deceased is often frozen until the heirs are proven. If nobody in the family can advance the funeral cost, this difference matters.

When the undertaker wants payment first

If the payout is assigned to the undertaker, they bill the insurer directly. Otherwise ask the undertaker to wait until the payout and show them your claim notice to the insurer.

If the body is to be flown abroad

Repatriation usually has to be paid before the flight. Funeral insurance may not arrive in time. Check whether your policy terms include a repatriation service. If not, plan savings that relatives can reach immediately.

When speed does not matter

If relatives can access savings at once, for example through a power of attorney valid after death, it makes little difference whether the payout arrives after one or four weeks.

Step by step

  1. Report the death right away with the policy number.
  2. Ask for the list of documents needed.
  3. Order several copies of the death certificate.
  4. Send all documents together.
  5. If nothing is paid after a month, ask in writing for an advance.

Checklist

  • Policy easy to find
  • Beneficiary named personally
  • Several death certificates ordered
  • Beneficiary's bank details at hand
  • Undertaker told about the claim

Common mistakes

  • Waiting until after the funeral to report the death
  • Sending documents one by one
  • Naming only "the heirs"
  • Not asking for an advance after a month

Questions and answers

Frequently asked

How long can the insurer take?

Until the necessary checks are done.

After a month you can ask for an advance under section 14 VVG.

Will the payout arrive before the funeral?

Often yes if documents are quick.

It is only certain with an assignment to the undertaker.

Which documents are needed?

Your policy terms say.

Ask for the list when you report the death.

What if death occurs in the waiting period?

Usually the premiums paid are refunded, not the full sum.

Many tariffs pay in full after an accident.

Do I get interest if it takes too long?

If the insurer is in default it owes default interest.

Section 14 (3) VVG makes any clause excluding this invalid.

Sources

NAMMERT insurance broker

Request a quote: Funeral insurance

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Funeral insurance (Sterbegeldversicherung)

For example to your or your family's home country

For example your faith's burial requirements, an existing funeral contract

4Your current policy
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Related questions

Your broker: Norman Nammert, trading as NAMMERT.

Insurance broker licensed under section 34d(1) of the German Trade Regulation Act.

Broker register no. D-C08Q-TOSD4-37.

NAMMERT Assekuradeur GmbH is a separate company.

It does not arrange your contract.

Statutory disclosure (German) · Updated

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