Questions we are often asked

First a doctor to certify the death (family doctor, out-of-hours medical service 116 117, in an emergency 112). Then a Muslim funeral director. From then on, they take care of almost everything.

Call a doctor, then a funeral director. Many Muslim funeral directors in Hamburg are available around the clock. The Standesamt (registry office) can wait until the third working day.

Usually within two to four days. By law, an earth burial must take place within ten days. How quickly it happens depends on the medical death certificate, the Standesamt and the cemetery.

Yes, since 1998 at the public cemeteries. The deceased is buried in a shroud. The 2012 state treaty guarantees this right.

Yes. In the Islamic burial sections at Finkenriek, Ohlsdorf, Öjendorf and Bergedorf, the graves are aligned towards Mecca.

The rest period is 25 years and can be extended annually (€74 per year). If it is not extended, the remains in Islamic sections nevertheless stay in the grave; this is regulated by the state treaty. A perpetual right of rest as in Turkey does not exist.

Finkenriek in Wilhelmsburg (our partner, new burial section with washing house), Öjendorf in Billstedt (largest section), Ohlsdorf (oldest section, since 1941), Bergedorf and Altona. Usually proximity to home and to the community decides.

Grave and burial at a public cemetery around €2,750, plus the funeral director's services of around €1,100 to €3,000. In total usually €4,000 to €5,500, without a gravestone. We will add the exact prices for Finkenriek.

Apply to the Bezirksamt (district office) for a social welfare burial under § 74 SGB XII. The Sozialamt (social welfare office) covers the costs of a simple, dignified burial if the estate and income are not sufficient. The funeral director knows the application.

For around €50 to €65 a year, in the event of a death the fund covers repatriation to the country of origin and the formalities. Grave and burial are usually not included. Membership must exist beforehand.

Usually two to five days. Required are the death certificate, a Leichenpass (mortuary passport) from the Bezirksamt Wandsbek (€31, one working day) and a coffin with a zinc lining for the flight. The funeral director organises everything.

According to funeral directors, around €1,500 to €2,700 from Hamburg, depending on the flight and additional services, plus the burial in the destination country.

In the cemetery's washing house (Finkenriek, Ohlsdorf, Öjendorf) or at the funeral director's. The family can do the washing themselves or leave it to the funeral director.

In the mosque or at the cemetery. Finkenriek has a covered area with a prayer stone (Totenstein) by the washing house. The funeral director coordinates place and time with the community.

Usually after a few months, once the earth has settled. Every grave monument needs a permit from the cemetery (€130 in Hamburg). We will soon be offering gravestones in the Turkish-Islamic style ourselves.

Yes. Neighbours, colleagues and friends are welcome. During the funeral prayer they stand by respectfully; at the grave they may add earth like everyone else.

Yes. The schools of law see this differently; in Germany, women take part in the burial in most communities. It is a decision for the family.

Children who die before or during birth can also be buried according to Islamic rites. The Hamburg cemeteries have children's burial sections. Whether there are any in the Islamic section at Finkenriek is something we are clarifying with the cemetery.