Burial funds: providing for a death

A burial fund is a mutual support scheme: for an annual contribution of around €50 to €65, the fund covers repatriation to the country of origin and the handling in the event of a death, often also a flight ticket for an accompanying person. The three large funds in Germany belong to DITIB, VIKZ and IGMG; in addition there are private providers.

What is usually included: collection, coffin with zinc lining, Leichenpass (mortuary passport), flight, handover to a partner funeral director in the destination country. With some funds, burial in Germany as an alternative.

What is usually not included: the grave and the burial fees, in Germany as in the destination country. The gravestone.

What to look out for: membership must exist before the death, often with a waiting period of a few weeks to months. From a certain age (usually 60), a medical certificate or a higher admission fee is required. Spouses and children are generally covered as well; adult children need their own membership. Anyone who does not pay the contribution loses the cover.

All funds with contact details, contributions and Hamburg contacts are listed under Associations and funds.