Social burials: Costs less frequently covered in the country
In recent years, social benefit providers in Saxony-Anhalt have increasingly rarely covered the costs of funerals that the bereaved are unable to bear. According to the State Statistical Office in Halle, around 1.4 million euros were paid out to 770 applicants in 2022. This compares to around 2 million euros and 1407 recipients in 2012. In contrast, the average costs paid out per recipient rose from around 1430 to around 1840 euros in the same period. A total of 37,281 people died in Saxony-Anhalt in 2022, compared to 30,321 in 2012.
If a funeral cannot be paid for from the estate of the deceased or by the heirs, the surviving dependants can apply to the relevant social welfare office to have the costs covered. This type of cost coverage is also known as a social burial. According to the state office, a funeral can also have several applicants - for example, if siblings have to cover the costs of a deceased parent's funeral in equal shares.
While the number of recipients of these benefits has been falling steadily since 2012, the amount of costs covered rose again during the coronavirus pandemic. In 2019, around 1.3 million euros were paid out to 892 recipients. Although the number of recipients fell further to 830 in each of the following two years, around 1.4 million euros were paid out in 2020 and around 1.6 million euros in the following year.
"The coronavirus pandemic in particular necessitated intensive hygiene measures at funeral homes, which were reflected in the invoices as well as the general price increase," explained a spokeswoman for the Salzland district. A spokeswoman for the Harz district, on the other hand, explained that the costs of a funeral had not risen significantly beyond the usual price increases.
According to a spokesperson for the district of Stendal, the assumption of the corresponding costs also depends on the respective fees charged by the cemeteries and the local funeral directors. For an urn burial, the district pays between 2,000 and 2,300 euros plus the cemetery fees.
When asked by dpa, some districts confirmed the downward trend in social burials - for example the Burgenlandkreis and Saalekreis districts. For most districts and independent cities, however, a look at the local figures for recent years reveals a rather mixed picture with no clear direction. In Halle, contrary to the national trend, almost twice as many social burials were carried out in 2022 than ten years previously. The costs paid out here have risen by around two thirds since 2012.
In light of this decrease in coverage, it's crucial for families to explore alternative sources for funding social funerals. This might involve discussing 'social affairs' and financial planning within the community to ensure that everyone has access to dignified funerals. With increasing funeral costs and fewer financial aid recipients, it's imperative to foster a sense of responsibility and solidarity among community members.
Source: www.dpa.com
