In Germany, funerals are generally arranged by the next of kin or by a funeral home. Depending on the region, you can choose between

• burial
• cremation (forest burial, burial at sea, urn burial)
• Anonymous burial

A funeral may take place no sooner than 48 hours after death. The local health department may grant exceptions for compelling reasons. With the exception of burial at sea, all funerals are subject to the legal requirement to be held in a cemetery.

The following individuals are responsible for arranging the burial, in this order:

• Spouse or registered domestic partner,
• Children
• Grandchildren
• Parents
• Grandparents
• Siblings

If no one arranges for the burial, the municipality with jurisdiction over the place of death or discovery must arrange for the burial.