Munich - Death Overseas

Death 'Todesfall'
If a family member or someone you know from your home country dies whilst in Munich, you may wish to contact your country's embassy or consulate in Germany for specific advice on what to do, particularly if you want the remains transported to your home country for interment (which is very expensive). Your home authorities will be notified automatically through the office of births, deaths and marriages 'Sterbebüro' in Munich when a death certificate is issued. If the person died in  your house it is necessary to first call a doctor and the police.

The first step is to call an undertaker 'Bestattungsinstitut'.
Undertakers to choose from in Munich include:

Grieneisen Bestattungen
Damenstiftstr 7
Munich
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 2350 670

Bestattungsinstitut 'Pietät'
Schellingstr 33
Munich
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 283 797

The undertaker is responsible for registering the death with the Sterbebüro of the Standesamt. Contact details for this registration office (which you should not need because you will call an undertaker) are:

Standesamt München-Urkundenstelle
Ruppertstr. 11
Munich
80337
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 2334 4340

In order for a deceased person to be returned to their home country, the body must be embalmed by an undertaker and placed in a lead-lined coffin. Like all things in Germany, there must be official documentation to verify that this procedure has been carried out. Additionally, there must be a undertaker in the home country who has been assigned to receive the body at the airport on arrival. Quarantine and customs must be informed of the flight number that the body is returning on and the airway bill number.

Ashes are not normally released to the deceased's family in Germany, but the authorities do make exceptions for some countries. You should check with quarantine/customs for rules on the import of ashes, although in some countries there are no restrictions.

If you decide that your loved one's final resting place will be Germany, you can choose between burial 'Erdbestattung' or cremation 'Feuerbestattung'. Again, the undertaker will arrange this for you.

There are 24 operational cemeteries in Munich. To enquire about availability of burial plots or interment of ashes, contact:

Friedhofsverwaltung
Damenstiftstr 9
Munich
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 231 9901
Mon - Thur  8am to 3pm
Fri  8am to 12pm

Just to prove that German bureaucracy still persists after a person's death, there is even an office dealing with inheritance law:

Nachlassgericht München
Maxburgstr. 4
Munich
80333 
Germany
Tel: + 49 (0) 89 559 706