Has someone died?
What should I do?
Please also read the section here under Simple Language :
Death: Registering and preparing for a funeral

Who pays for the funeral?
Are you a family member of the deceased?

There is a law in Lower Saxony.
The law is called the BestattG.
The law states:
A funeral is mandatory.

This means:
Someone must arrange the burial.
For example:

• the spouse
• the partner
• the children
• the grandchildren
• the parents
• the grandparents
• siblings.

Perhaps you don't have enough money for a burial.
In that case, you can apply for assistance.
Then you’ll receive money for the funeral.
The government only covers the essential costs of the funeral.

The obligation to provide for a funeral is set forth in Section 8 of the Lower Saxony Law on Corpses, Funerals, and Cemeteries (BestattG).

The following persons are responsible for arranging the deceased’s funeral, in the following order of priority:

1. the spouse or registered partner,
2. the children,
3. the grandchildren,
4. the parents,
5. the grandparents,
6. and the siblings

If it was contractually stipulated during the deceased’s lifetime who is responsible for arranging the funeral, that person must arrange the funeral regardless of the public law obligation to provide for burial set forth in § 8(3) of the Funeral Act (BestattG).

If the persons obligated to bear the funeral costs cannot reasonably be expected to cover the necessary expenses, they may submit an application for the funeral costs to be covered.

You need to submit your application early.
That way, the agency can help you better.
Are you submitting your application too late?
Then the agency may not be able to help you.

There are no specific deadlines to meet. However, it is advisable to clarify the issue of cost coverage with the responsible agency in a timely manner. The later an application is submitted after the obligation to cover costs has begun, the more likely it is that doubts may arise regarding the reasonableness of the cost coverage.