CHECK Magazin - Gesundheitsmagazin für Männer No.15

CHECK MAG #15
Dealing
with Death
Finding a dead person
In Germany, if a person is found dead at home, a
doctor must always be contacted. Their official
confirmation is needed to issue the Totenschein (type
of death certificate), which in turn is needed for the
Sterbeurkunde (another type of death certificate). If
the death occurs in a public place, an ambulance must
be called. If it happens in a hospital or nursing home,
the institution takes care of the matters first and
contacts the relatives.
The first 48 hours
Homes need to be taken care of: where to put pets
and plants? Are electricity, gas and water turned
off? A funeral home must also be found and the
question of whether there is a funeral
contract must be clarified. Deaths must
be reported to the Standesamt, which
also issues the death certificate (Sterbeurkunde).
It is usually not possible
to deregister current contracts
without this certificate.
The first steps when
a body is found
† Notify a doctor
† Inform the closest relatives and
discuss further steps
† Look for documents (identity card,
birth certificate, marriage certificate).
† Look for contracts and dispositions and then
act accordingly (will, precautionary contract,
declarations of intent for burial, etc.).
Saying goodbye
If the death has occurred at home, the deceased
person can be left on site for a while to say goodbye.
You can also insist on a goodbye at the nursing home,
even if the facility is pushing for a quick pick-up.
When partners, friends or family members
pass away, it is difficult to think clearly.
On top of this, a mountain of bureaucracy
usually awaits the bereaved during the first
phase of mourning.
What is...
... a burial decree?
† The burial decree is a document in which
the personal wishes for one’s own burial
and funeral service are recorded. A funeral
decree is legally binding.
... death benefit insurance?
† With a death benefit insurance policy, insured
persons can make financial provision for their
own death in order to relieve their relatives.
... the funeral provision contract?
† With this contract, you can instruct funeral
directors to organise your own funeral and
memorial service according to your wishes.
The time after
Things that do not have to
be done immediately include
notifying health insurance
companies and employers as
well as distant acquaintances and
relatives of the deceased. Current
payments should be cancelled and
contracts and memberships
terminated.
How to help the
bereaved
We all process grief differently. Some people shut
themselves off, others need help and make it known
right away. Some can’t ask for help even though the
tasks overwhelm them. We can only be there for
each other and accompany grief, but not carry it
for others. Giving mourners time to find themselves
again is never wrong. (ek, mb)
Community38