What to do if a death occurs at home during the night?

The most important things at a glance

Call an emergency doctor or rescue service immediately for a death statement.
Provide important documents: identity card, insurance, wills.
Have a death certificate issued by a doctor, be sure to keep it.
Contact Memovida with 24/7 service for transfer.
Inform family and close relatives quickly and sensitively.

Please read the article to find out more about it.

When someone dies at home during the night, it can be overwhelming, especially when you don't know what to do next. In this article, you will find clear, easy-to-understand instructions to help you inform the right authorities and complete the important formalities. We would like to present the processes to you as simply and clearly as possible — especially at such an unexpected and emotionally stressful moment, which also takes place outside normal business hours.

Immediate steps following a death

1. Notify an emergency medical service or rescue service

One of the first steps you should take is to contact a doctor. This is important because the death must be officially confirmed by a doctor before other steps can be taken.

As soon as a doctor arrives on site, he will officially confirm the death. This statement is required by law in Germany and is a prerequisite for further steps, such as organising the funeral or reporting to the relevant authorities. The doctor also issues a temporary death certificate — the so-called death certificate. This document is essential for many legal and administrative issues that need to be resolved in connection with a death.

If your family doctor cannot be reached, which often happens at night, you should call the emergency medical service. The medical staff can also officially confirm the death and will help you immediately what to do next. They also give you advice on important next steps, such as contacting a funeral home to arrange transportation for the deceased person.

2. Prepare important documents

If you have all important documents at hand, you can significantly simplify and speed up legal and organizational processes.

Start by finding out the deceased person's identity documents — usually an identity card or passport. These are essential for many official processes, such as reporting the death and issuing the death certificate.

The next step is to compile existing medical documents. If you have the deceased person's medical records, they can help the doctor determine the cause of death — an important part of the entire process.

Please also provide all relevant insurance documents. This could include, for example, health or life insurance, which can be particularly important in later steps, such as when processing financial matters or filing insurance claims.

If the person was married, you also need the marriage certificate (or the spouse's divorce certificate or death certificate).

If the deceased person has already left documents regarding their funeral wishes or a will, these should also be handy. These documents can help you respect and implement the deceased person's wishes when planning a funeral.

3. Get the death certificate

After the doctor has determined the death, he issues the official document, which is known in Germany as the “death certificate.” This document is essential for all legal and formal processes. They need it to report the death to the registry office, plan the burial and take further necessary steps.

The death certificate contains important data, such as:

Time and date of death
the cause of death
personal details of the deceased person, e.g. name and date of birth

It is advisable to keep this document safe as it will be needed for many regulatory matters in the coming days. Without the death certificate, legal and financial processes could be significantly delayed or prove difficult.

4. Notify a funeral home

Contacting a funeral home is an important step to ensure that the deceased person can be transferred and that all necessary arrangements are made. Because dying at night often presents additional challenges, you should choose a funeral home that offers 24/7 service. Many funeral homes in Germany are available around the clock, but it is advisable that you clarify this beforehand.

Make sure that the funeral home has a license to transfer deceased people. A certified funeral home will also help you meet all legal and administrative requirements. Ask if the company is there to help you report the death to the authorities and fill out the required documents. It is particularly important to register the death with the competent registry office, which is required by law in Germany.

Also inquire about other services that the funeral home offers that could help you during this difficult time. Some companies offer grief counseling, assistance with planning the funeral service, or help with organizing religious or cultural rituals. These additional services can provide you with emotional support and make organizational work a bit easier.

5. Notify family and close relatives

You should inform close family and caregivers as soon as possible. A timely notification enables everyone to process the message together and provides space for mutual support. It also divides responsibility for important decisions that have to be made during this difficult time over several shoulders. Also ask your family if they would like to see the person again, if that is possible

Remember that these conversations can be very emotionally draining. Deliver the message carefully and with great empathy. However, get to the point as quickly as possible. Your counterpart will have already recognized from your voice that something has happened. It makes sense to share key information, such as when you die and next steps. However, avoid overwhelming those affected with too many details. Focus on what's important right away.

When sending the message, you can also mention what measures have already been taken, such as that a doctor has been notified to determine the death. You should also point out what next steps will follow, such as contacting a funeral home to transfer the deceased person.

If you find it difficult to tell all family or friends yourself, don't hesitate to ask for assistance. Often, close family or friends can help spread the message to others. Delegating this task can alleviate the emotional burden a bit and helps to ensure that all important people are informed in good time.

‍Next steps

Legal and administrative processes

In order to comply with German regulations, a number of legal and administrative tasks must be completed. These steps ensure that the death is properly reported and that legal obligations, such as inheritance matters, are met.

The first step is to notify the responsible registry office. In Germany, this must be done within a legally defined period, usually within three working days. To register the death, you need the death certificate and other documents such as the deceased person's identity card or passport.

In some cases, especially when death has occurred suddenly or under unknown circumstances, it is necessary to call in the police. This is important to ensure whether further investigation is needed. If the cause of death is unclear, the police will decide whether an autopsy or other further measures must be carried out.

In the case of inheritance matters, you should contact a notary who will process the will, if one exists. The notary will assist you in taking legal steps to settle the estate. If there is no will, German inheritance law, which regulates the distribution of the estate, applies — in such cases, legal advice may be useful.

In addition, all contracts and financial matters running on behalf of the deceased person must be terminated or transferred. This includes insurance, pension and bank accounts. This often requires you to provide documents such as a death certificate and proof of your relationship or eligibility. Note that there may be deadlines for some of these tasks. Failure to do so may result in additional costs or legal difficulties.

Financial aspects

It is important to settle financial matters quickly to avoid unnecessary problems. First, you should collect all financial documents relating to the deceased person. This includes, for example, documents relating to bank accounts, credit cards, current loans and other important financial contracts. These documents are critical to ensure that there is no unauthorised access. It also allows you to take the necessary steps to close or transfer accounts. With bank accounts, it is usually necessary to inform the bank of the death and provide a death certificate before the account can be frozen or continued.

As a next step, you should contact all insurance policies for the deceased person, such as life, health or accident insurance. Each insurance company usually requires evidence such as a death certificate in order to process the claim. Ask the respective insurers about the exact steps and deadlines you must follow in order to receive a payout.

You should also get an overview of the deceased person's potential debts — such as existing loans, mortgages or outstanding credit card balances. Find out the right legal procedure to pay off these debts. In Germany, it is often the case that heirs inherit both the assets and the liabilities, although the inheritance can be rejected within a period of six weeks. In some situations, it may be useful to call in a lawyer to clarify your liability and get advice on how to proceed.

If the deceased person has received pension benefits or retirement benefits, it is also worthwhile to check whether and which claims the survivors may be able to assert. In this case, you should contact the competent authorities or pension insurance providers. Here, too, it is advisable to have the death certificate and all pension-relevant documents ready to simplify the process.

In the end, it may make sense to bring in a financial advisor or lawyer. These experts can help you with estate management and ensure that all financial matters are handled correctly. This can be particularly helpful if the estate is complex or involves several heirs. Bringing in a specialist can help you avoid common mistakes and make sure everything is going properly.

Personal matters

Settling the deceased person's personal affairs can be overwhelming. Still, it's important to approach these tasks step by step to ensure that nothing is missed. Some things should be done right away, but others can follow in the coming days.

First, the deceased person's personal valuables should be kept safe. This applies to objects with emotional or financial value, such as jewelry, important documents or family heirlooms. This ensures that these things are not misplaced or unintentionally — or in the worst case intentionally — stolen by other people.

Next, you should review the deceased person's ongoing obligations. This may include:

Real estate: If the deceased person has owned or rented property, you must take measures to secure the property. This may include hiring janitorial services or terminating existing contracts for utility services.
Pets: If pets are present, you should arrange temporary or permanent solutions to care for them.
Subscriptions and services: These include magazine subscriptions, memberships, or streaming services. Unnecessary costs can be avoided by canceling services that are no longer required.

After you have completed these urgent tasks, it is advisable to review the deceased person's personal records. In particular, this involves documents that could be important for the estate — such as financial documents or insurance policies. These papers are important for further legal and financial steps. It also allows you to determine whether the deceased person has left any special wishes regarding their personal belongings. If there are orders, it is important to respect them.

If you find yourself unable to take on all of these responsibilities, don't be afraid to ask someone you trust for support — be it a family member or a close friend. Helping others can be an immense relief and ensure that everything is settled in the interests of the deceased person.

Seek assistance when needed

After the death of a loved one, you can often feel overwhelmed and it's important to recognize when you need support on an emotional or psychological level. Grief often comes in waves, and it can be difficult to work through it alone. Should your grief overwhelm you or noticeably affect your daily life, it could be useful to seek professional help. Often, the funeral home can advise you where you can find help.

Grief counseling centers offer specialized support to help you process the emotional consequences of a loss. Self-help groups can also be helpful, in which you can talk to others who have experienced something similar. It often helps to share your own story and draw comfort from the experiences of others.

If you feel that coping with grief is becoming particularly difficult, professional grief counselors or therapists offer structured support. These can help you organize and better process the feelings and thoughts associated with the loss, especially if they are increasingly interfering with your everyday life.

Practical things can also cause additional stress. You may need legal or administrative assistance, for example with matters relating to the estate or other legal obligations. When all of this becomes too much, there are professionals who will take care of these tasks for you so that you can focus on your emotional well-being.

conclusion

Dealing with a death at home in the middle of the night can be overwhelming, but if you follow the steps outlined in this article, you'll be able to handle both immediate and long-term tasks.

Even though the situation seems harrowing, these steps provide guidance that helps you overcome both emotional and practical challenges.

Remember that medical services, undertakers, and lawyers are available 24/7, even in the middle of the night. You're not alone in this difficult time — support is always just a phone call away.

Memovida — your sensitive companion for funeral services

If you've recently lost a loved one, it's Memovida Helping you with advice and assistance. Our 24/7 service throughout Germany ensures that you receive optimal support during this difficult time. From organizing classic funerals to choosing the right location or ceremony — we are here to help you with the entire planning process.

At Memovida, you and your wellbeing are the only focus. We take care of the entire organization so that you have the space and time to fully concentrate on your grief and deal with it step by step. We'll be by your side as long as you need us.

FAQ

What should I do immediately if a death occurs at home in Germany?

If a death occurs at home in Germany, particularly at night, the first thing you should do is call an emergency doctor who will officially determine the death and issue the necessary documents (the death certificate). As soon as you have this, contact a funeral home (undertaker) that will arrange the transfer of the deceased person. Then contact immediate family members. If the death is unexpected, it may also be necessary to involve the police.

Who should I notify if a death occurs at home in Germany at night?

If a death occurs at home during the night in Germany, the first thing you should do is contact an emergency doctor who will officially confirm the death. As soon as this is done, you usually contact a funeral home, which will start the next steps. If the deceased person has received medical treatment, it may also be useful to inform the treating physician. If the death appears unusual or suspicious, you should also immediately notify the police.

What legal steps are required following a death at home in Germany?

If a death occurs at home in Germany, you should first contact a doctor who will officially confirm the death and issue a death certificate. If the death occurs during the night, you can also call an emergency doctor. After you have received the death certificate, contact a funeral home, which will then take care of all other formalities, such as reporting the death to the registry office. It is important that the death is reported to the registry office within three days.

Are there any special procedures in the event of a death at home during the night in Germany?

Yes, in Germany, if someone dies at home at night, you must first contact a doctor (general practitioner or medical emergency service) who will officially confirm the death. The doctor then issues the death certificate. In many cases, this can still be done during the night, but sometimes it can take until morning. After that, you should contact a funeral home of your choice to arrange transportation for the deceased person. It is generally not necessary to notify the police unless there are unusual or suspicious circumstances relating to the death.

What support is available in Germany after a death at home at night?

In Germany, if you die at home during the night, you must first call a doctor or the medical emergency service (112), which will officially confirm the death. The death certificate is then issued. You should then contact a funeral home who will assist you with all further steps, such as organizational and regulatory tasks. If you need emotional support, grief counselors or pastoral services, such as religious contacts, can help. It is also important that you inform the registry office of the death within three days.

What to do if a death occurs at home during the night?

The most important things at a glance

Immediate steps following a death

1. Notify an emergency medical service or rescue service

2. Prepare important documents

3. Get the death certificate

4. Notify a funeral home

5. Notify family and close relatives

In 3 steps to your non-binding offer

‍Next steps

Legal and administrative processes

Financial aspects

Personal matters

Our locations

Cologne

Munich

Berlin

Seek assistance when needed

conclusion

Memovida — your sensitive companion for funeral services

FAQ

What should I do immediately if a death occurs at home in Germany?

Who should I notify if a death occurs at home in Germany at night?

What legal steps are required following a death at home in Germany?

Are there any special procedures in the event of a death at home during the night in Germany?

What support is available in Germany after a death at home at night?

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