“Nothing is free, not even death,” as the saying goes. Indeed, funerals can be very expensive. Even a simple burial can cost up to €4,000, while the average funeral costs are around €5,000. Amounts of €10,000 and more are not uncommon. The costs vary depending on the type of funeral, its design, and the region. The following are some of the main cost items:
• Fees for the funeral director
• municipal fees (grave plot fees and burial fees)
• Costs for the upkeep of the grave.
In addition, there are often private expenses for mourning clothes, obituaries, floral decorations and wreaths, as well as for catering to the mourners.
Assumption of funeral costs by the heirs
By law, heirs are obligated to pay for funeral expenses, regardless of who organizes the funeral. Even if non-heirs arrange the funeral, the heirs remain responsible for payment. The costs are primarily covered by the deceased’s estate. In their will, the testator can stipulate that a co-heir or legatee is responsible for the funeral expenses.
If all heirs reject the inheritance, it is treated as if they had never received it, and they are therefore not liable for the funeral expenses. If a third party, for example, a relative of the deceased, enters into a contract with the funeral home without being an heir, this third party is personally liable to the funeral home. ” In this case, the heirs have no direct payment obligation to the funeral home. However, the third party can demand reimbursement or assumption of the costs from the heirs ,” explains lawyer István Cocron.
Assumption of funeral costs by those obligated to pay maintenance
Generally, the heir is responsible for funeral expenses. If the heir is insolvent or there is no heir, those legally obligated to provide support (such as the deceased’s parents or children) assume the costs, as do spouses or registered civil partners, even in the case of separation.
However, the person obligated to pay maintenance is only required to cover funeral expenses if they are financially able to do so. This obligation may be waived if the deceased severely neglected their own maintenance obligations towards the person obligated to pay. ” If a person obligated to pay maintenance has assumed the costs even though the heir should actually have been responsible, they can recover the expenses from the heir ,” explains attorney Cocron.
