A funeral in Germany is associated with many different costs. From funeral services to cemetery fees to tombstones and mourning prints — several thousand euros quickly add up. In this article, we provide a detailed overview of the most important cost points and name typical price ranges.
Funeral home: 1,000 - 4,000 euros
The services provided by the undertaker usually account for a large part of the funeral costs. These consist of advice, transfer and care for the deceased, completion of formalities, laying out, funeral service, burial and the provision of a coffin and, if necessary, an urn. Depending on the size and equipment selected, costs of between 1,000 and 4,000 euros can be expected.
With us, all of the above mentioned funeral services, including funeral service, coffin and, if applicable, urn, laying out and, in the case of a cremation, also the costs of the crematorium are already included in transparent fixed prices included - for burials and cremations.
Cemetery fees: 1,000 - 2,500 euros
There are user fees for burial in a cemetery. These vary greatly across Germany and depend on the respective municipality and the chosen burial site. Cheaper row graves often cost between 1,000 and 1,500 euros for 20-30 years of use, depending on soil conditions. More expensive election graves, or possible extensions of rights, cost 1,500 to 2,500 euros. In addition, there are one-off burial costs of around 200-700 euros.
Tombstone and design: 1,000 - 5,000 euros
A burial, in the classical sense, includes a tombstone and an attractive design of the resting place with any stone setting and plants. The prices here vary greatly depending on the material (e.g. granite or marble), size and complexity of the grave complex. On average, 1,000 to 3,000 euros can be expected for a standard-sized tombstone; high-quality and artfully designed tombs can also cost 5,000 euros and more.
Funeral print & decoration: 100 - 500 euros
In order to make the funeral service individual and inviting, many survivors include funeral cards, thanksgiving notes, death pictures, floral arrangements or even table decorations on the coffee table. These items quickly add up to 100 to 500 euros, depending on the number of mourners and the desired size. Some undertakers offer complete packages that include all standard printed materials and funeral floristry.
Costs by type of burial
In addition to the factors mentioned above, the total cost of a funeral also depends heavily on the type of funeral chosen. Here is an overview of common variants and their prices:
- Cremation with urn burial: approx. 2,500 - 6,000 euros
- Urn burial in the row grave: approx. 3,500 - 7,500 euros
- Burial in the electoral grave: approx. 5,000 - 10,000 euros
- Forest burial: approx. 1,200 - 5,000 euros
- Burial at sea: approx. 1,200 - 3,000 euros
- Human composting: approx. 3,000 - 5,000 euros
Alternative forms of burial, such as forest, sea or redevelopment, usually eliminate the costs of grave use, tombstone and complex grave maintenance. This may incur additional charges for the specific form of burial.
In addition, there are sometimes significant price differences depending on the region and provider. Cremation tends to be cheaper than traditional burial.
Clever control of cost factors
The individual prices and the respective budget show that a funeral can quickly cost several thousand euros. However, there is certainly room for manoeuvre for most positions.
By specifically selecting the funeral home, the type of funeral, comparing cemetery fees or avoiding expensive extras such as complex printed matter, the total costs can often be significantly reduced. We would be happy to advise you on all options for individual cost savings — without sacrificing dignity.
Protect yourself financially with retirement planning
In order to protect relatives from sudden cost shocks in the event of bereavement, early financial provision is recommended. By concluding a pension contract, associated death benefit insurance or a deposit in an escrow account with the undertaker, the coverage of the expected funeral costs can be well planned and built up step by step.
