The local cemetery regulations provide information on the size, shape, inscription and material of gravestones and grave slabs. There is a big difference in price between a standard gravestone and an artistic one. The stone sculpture workshop will submit individual proposals with drawings and a quotation.

The tariff calculates the newspaper according to the size of the ad in millimeters. The millimeter price varies greatly, and depending on the circulation of the daily or weekly newspaper and whether a photo/background is desired black and white or color. An obituary can cost from about CHF 400 to several thousand francs.

Urns differ in shape, color and material. Various grave types and regulations require urns to be suitable for burial in municipal cemeteries. In the ground, the urn should be biodegradable, remain durable in a wall niche or dissolve quickly in water. A simple urn costs about CHF 100, a handmade or artistic urn can cost up to several thousand francs.

The funeral culture is cultivated very differently in Switzerland. The burial articles, in particular the coffin models, are adapted to the customs and practices in the cantons, municipalities and cities. The price of the coffin depends on the quality, different shape, decorative ornamentation and different materials.
Between a few hundred francs to 3000 thousand or more francs, there is a diverse choice.

Generally, funeral expenses are not covered by health insurance. However, it is worth clarifying the lump-sum death benefit. This may be as an add-on to a pension, travel or life insurance policy or may be included in the health insurance policy.

Cremation costs between 0 and 900 Swiss francs for an adult person. In some places, the cost of cremation is covered by the municipality. Depending on the situation, there are additional costs for the laying out, a decoration, an organ playing, the use of the chapel or an urn.

See WHAT COSTS A BURIAL BURY

The price range for a funeral is from 0.- to 15 000.-Fr or more, depending on the location and wishes. Depending on the canton, a funeral home provides all services in full, or the municipality must be contacted and it provides some or all of the services.

If the cost of the funeral services is deliberately kept to a minimum by the funeral director, it can amount to around 2000 francs. For a farewell in the normal framework should be expected with 3500.- francs and more.

Depending on this, the following third-party costs will be incurred: cemetery, crematorium, use of cemetery premises and other premises, grave, grave planting, flowers, sculptor, funeral orator, musician, restaurant, printer, newspaper, apartment clearance, cleaning, notary’s office, government registrar’s office, civil registry office, burial office, municipality, funeral service, etc.

A funeral service in your area will be happy to provide you with information and is familiar with the regional peculiarities. To find out what a funeral costs, a local funeral director will be happy to provide you with a specific cost summary, without obligation, which is adapted to your situation and your wishes.Ask a funeral service in the region where the person died and request a cost summary.

Coffin gifts are something very individual and personal. It can be things like flowers, a favorite book, a photo of loved ones or a walking stick. There are no limits to creativity. Only in the case of cremation, care must be taken to ensure that it is combustible. A smaller hand carving is not a problem, a larger stone will not work.

If you wish, ask your funeral service if you may be present during all of these acts and/or assist yourself.

As a rule, the deceased are newly dressed. These can be favorite or everyday clothes, or even clothes with a special meaning. If someone does not want personal garments or none are available, a burial gown will be dressed for the deceased. Before this can be done, it is usually necessary to release the muscle rigidity in the arms by stretching. Depending on the body is still washed with a wet cloth beforehand. Intimate washing is also done when necessary. The face and hands can be rubbed with a moisturizing cream. The hair is trimmed and the hands are clasped on the belly.

Yes. As long as the hygienic condition of the body allows it and the people living at home go along with it. Depending on the season, it is enough to open the window and close the windows from penetrating sunlight and animals. The heating should also be turned off. At high temperatures, the installation of cooling is recommended. The upper body should be bedded elevated. If you feel unsure, it is best to have a funeral director come to your home to assist you.

In principle, there is nothing wrong with this, as long as the relatives agree and no abuse is committed. It may be that you want to capture one last image of a loved one and that feels natural to you. However, you may wish to keep the deceased alive in your memory. Both are fine and must ultimately be right for the person(s) involved.

No, there is no corpse poison. There may be unpleasant odors and bacteria from decomposition in the body; however, skin contact or inhalation is harmless.

Some cantons have regulations according to which a place of burial must be hygienically impeccable. Otherwise, there are no specifications in this regard and should take place within this framework, as it is right for you. See laying out.

A tombstone can cost different amounts depending on the design. From a simple gravestone of several hundred francs to an elaborately designed monument for many thousands of francs. Additional work such as the setting of the stone and the inscriptions will be charged separately. You can request a consultation from the regional stonemason or sculptor in your area.

There is a so-called rest for the dead. This is guaranteed by a cemetery in any case, before that the grave will not be lifted. The prescribed resting period for new graves is 20 years. The resting period is always calculated from the time of the first burial. The subsequent interment of an urn on an existing urn or burial grave does not normally extend the period of rest.

As a rule, entire grave fields are cancelled. The grave rest is calculated when the last free place of a grave field is occupied. In practice, this means that graves remain in place for at least 20 to 24 years or longer.However, a grave raising does not mean that the coffin is taken out. The remains remain in the ground unless there is an exhumation. That is, the mortal remains usually remain in the ground. If a new grave is later established in the same location, remains may be interred in the general grave.

When it comes to what type of urns may be interred, it is the cemetery that dictates what features an urn may have.

When it comes to burial in an existing grave, the grave maintainer, or in the case of death, their heirs, can decide who may be buried in the grave.

This is a contract that comes into being between a person and the cemetery, to be compared with a lease. This gives rise to rights and obligations. For example, the graveside caretaker has the right to determine who is buried. However, it also has the obligation to pay the costs, such as maintenance. This right of use can be transferred from one person to another. In the event of the death of the grave keeper, this often happens automatically.

Swiss legislation prescribes a grave rest period of 20 years.

The grave term is regulated differently from cemetery to cemetery. As a rule, the term is 20-25 years for row, niche and grove graves and 40 years for family graves.

A row grave is usually not renewable and the grave term refers to the first interment. On the other hand, a family grave and, in some cases, grove graves are often renewable.

As a rule, a coffin must be made of light wood, have certain dimensions and be reverent.

The type of grave has an influence on the choice of urn. For example, in the case of burial in a communal grave lawn, it must be a perishable, so-called bio-urn. Each cemetery has its own regulations, where you can read which urns can be buried and which not. Some cemeteries require perishable urns for all graves.

It depends on the cemetery and the type of grave. This can be read in the burial regulations of the corresponding cemetery. Usually this is 2-4 urns for an urn row grave, coffin row grave 1 coffin and up to 8 urns, in a niche 1-4 urns, in a family grave 2 coffins and up to 8 urns.

Grief is the echo of love. We have to accept the feeling, give space to the pain and give time to the grief. Conversations and rituals are helpful when saying goodbye. Accompanying people, being together and sharing helps enormously.

People who work as grief counselors are a great and strong support for dying people and also for their relatives.

There are many individual grief counselors, as well as organizations. In some places there are grief groups, grief cafes and other forms where you can get help.

As a rule, cremation may not be performed before 48 hours from the determined time of death. There are cantons where cremation is allowed after 24 hours. In some cantons there is also an upper limit of 96 hours.

The basic principle is to fulfill the wishes of the deceased. The person concerned has deposited this either verbally or in writing, or it is implemented to the best of his or her knowledge and belief by the persons close to him or her. If no relatives can be contacted, the municipality will decide on the method of burial. This is regulated in the burial regulations of the respective municipality.

Man does not belong to anyone. The deceased person is subject to the responsibility of the relatives or persons close to him. A neighbor can also be a contact person for a funeral director. In this case, the costs are borne by the municipality, see also UNEMPLOYMENT. In the case of an unnatural death, the prosecutor has the power to decide in the first instance and only after the body is released does the family have the power to decide.

At the funeral service, you can decide for yourself how you want to arrange it. Whether you want to have the urn or the coffin with you, you can decide individually. The urn interment may also take place at a later date than the funeral service. The funeral service can also be combined directly with the urn or coffin burial. Ask the local funeral home what options can be realized.

Yes, in principle, burial in the forest, nature and in the lake is allowed in Switzerland.

Forest
It is not forbidden to bury the urn in a forest in Switzerland. It is recommended to inform the local municipality. In special forest cemeteries, tree burial can be performed by a company specializing in natural burials or by the funeral director. On private property, you must obtain the owner’s consent.

Burial at sea
You can have a burial at sea with a funeral director, they will follow local laws and may even work with a shipping company that offers such burials at sea.
If a burial at sea is carried out by the burial service itself, the cantonal burial law as well as the local law must be observed.

Nature
You can scatter the ashes in nature. Be careful not to disturb other people and that the ashes can be carried away by the wind. For burial in the ground, the consent of the owner of the land must be obtained.

Yes, you may. In Switzerland there is no obligation to bury urns. You can place the urn in your home or even in the garden. Burial in the garden is also allowed. Make sure the urn is made of suitable materials, depending on its intended use. The funeral home you trust will be happy to advise you.

Yes, there are cardboard coffins. In Switzerland, these are hardly used at all. Crematoria in Switzerland refuse to deliver a deceased person in a cardboard coffin. During cremation, the cardboard coffin provides little calorific value and is therefore unsuitable. Many people additionally feel that the cardboard coffin is undignified.

In Switzerland there are the following coffin factories:
Adrian Willimann AG Sargfabriakton – Rickenbach
AF Funeris Sàrl in Chénens
Egli Sargproduktion AG – Beromünster
Hager coffin production – Kriens
Hans Gerber AG – Lindau

Coffin production in Switzerland is usually a serial production. The basic materials are solid wood or wood-based panels. The individual parts consist of the bottom board, the lid board, the side boards and the head and foot board. The basic steps are cutting wooden boards, sanding and fine sanding, surface treatment and final assembly.

If the urn is interred in the cemetery, the cemetery regulations must be observed. Since every cemetery regulation is drafted differently, this question cannot be answered in a blanket manner. However, the trend towards biodegradable urns has led to many cemeteries allowing mainly organic urns to be buried. It is best to inquire with the funeral home nearest you.

In principle, one can answer this question with “yes”. As long as the container is stable and can be closed well and does not interfere with the funeral director’s work. It is best to ask the funeral home you trust.

Cemetery
In the event of burial in the cemetery, the cemetery regulations must be observed. Many cemeteries have explicit rules about what materials and urns can and cannot be interred. Each cemetery has its own regulations, it is best to consult with the funeral director.

Home
In Switzerland there is no compulsory burial, so an urn can be taken home.

Capacity
Make sure that the container for an adult person has a capacity of at least 3 liters, so that the ash can completely fit in it.

Yes, that’s right. In Germany, there is a cemetery obligation. The ash capsule or the urn with the ashes may not be taken home or buried outside of a cemetery. Accordingly, only the funeral home may transport urns.

In many cases, these are large companies that specialize in the production of urns and distribute them internationally. In recent years, countless individual businesses have emerged in Switzerland, mostly potteries or woodturners who have built up a small range of urns that are distributed regionally.

Straight shape
The plain form is mostly taken for cremations.

Body shape
This shape is often taken for burial caskets, but can vary greatly from region to region.

Curved shape
This coffin has a curved edge and is practically made only for the Swiss market.

Chest coffin
There is the chest form as well as the American chest coffin, where the top half of the lid can be opened when saying goodbye.

Cardboard coffins
Cardboard coffins are made of cardboard, paper and cellulose and coated with a waterproof layer. In Switzerland, this coffin is a niche product and is hardly used. They are also hard to obtain because they bring too many disadvantages.

Zinc coffin
For a foreign transport a zinc coffin is used, which is soldered before the transport. In countries that do not have crematoria, a zinc coffin is used for burials in the ground in order not to contaminate the soil.

Child coffin
Children’s coffins come in different lengths. In many cases they are white or painted with bright colors.

After a cremation, the ashes of a deceased person are placed in an urn. There are a variety of urns. The urns differ in shape, color, materials, etc.
The urns are different because they are meaningful to the bereaved. It is often a personal taste that decides which urn is chosen. In addition, sometimes the person of the deceased is taken into account. For example, the affinity with the wood of the deceased person is expressed by choosing a wooden urn.
But there are also very practical reasons to choose an urn. When an urn is buried in water, it must of course have certain characteristics, such as being sinkable and perishable. Or if an urn is taken home, relatives may not want the urn to be recognizable as an urn. Perhaps the urn should also be imperishable in the ground so that it can be removed from the ground after a few years, or perhaps the opposite should be true and the urn should dissolve in the ground.
In addition, there are also small urns (reliquary urns). In them is filled only a small part of the ash. Perhaps the main urn is buried in a cemetery and as a memento, a small portion of the ashes are taken home and placed in a reliquary urn.

A coffin is necessary to ensure a dignified burial. A wooden coffin is a prerequisite for transport, burial and cremation or burial in the ground. Cremations are made of easily combustible wood, while burials are made of more noble woods and more elegant shapes, even with ornaments or carvings.

If you celebrate in a church setting, they ask the responsible pastor. If they prefer a “free ceremony,” ask the funeral speaker(s). It can also be someone from your personal circle or from the circle of the deceased person. Yodel club, church choir, men’s choir, gospel choir, ACapella choir or musicians that are hired.

On online platforms you can find musicians* who provide an offer for funeral services.

The burial is part of the funeral. A funeral, burial is when a coffin, urn, ashes are given to the earth and buried in a cemetery in the appropriate grave. In the wording funeral, burial are also included the funeral service or a solemn farewell, as well as the meal of sorrow.

The word funeral is often colloquially equated with the term burial.

In a burial in the ground, full body burial, the deceased person, who has been pre-interred in the coffin, is buried in the ground.

A farewell service provides an opportunity to say goodbye to the deceased person with honor and dignity. A farewell celebration can help you feel carried and provides an opportunity to look back and also refocus on life without the person who has died. A funeral service may be held in a church and/or secular setting.

“Quietly” means that the deceased person was said goodbye to in the closest family circle. Close friends and relatives can also be invited.

The bank often only makes payments within the previous framework. This means that standing orders, for example, will continue to be paid. As a general rule, invoices addressed to the deceased person must be handed over to the bank in the original. The bank normally pays these bills directly from the deceased person’s account.

Upon death, all orders expire (Art. 405 para. 1 CO), unless the order is valid beyond death due to its content.

For example, a funeral order, by its nature, claims validity beyond death, but the power of disposal over the order changes to the heirs. Thus, the beneficiaries of the inheritance have a contractual relationship for the funeral order and are liable to pay, even in the case of a disclaimed inheritance.

The situation is different for a guardian or for adult protection. As a rule, their work must cease when the death occurs.

Many current contracts, such as a lease, must be explicitly terminated by relatives. For this, the relatives need the death certificate (note: the death certificate is not the medical death certificate).

A death certificate is required to cancel some contracts. We recommend that you call the contractors in advance and ask whether or not a copy of the death certificate is required. Some agencies are very accommodating, which is why a report without a death certificate is often sufficient.

We recommend that you contact the following offices:

• AHV / the residents’ registration office informs the AHV /
  Tip: if death occurs towards the end of the month, then call and have pension payment stopped
• Social welfare office, IV, supplementary benefits
• Pension Fund
• Health insurance
• Insurance: accident, life, liability, household, vehicle, building, legal protection
• Lease agreement apartment, garage, parking, workshop
• Motor Vehicle Inspection / Road Traffic Office
• Phone: mobile, landline, internet, phone book entry
• Newspaper and magazines
• SBB, Libero (GA, Half-Fare, etc.)
• Serafe (formerBillag) / the residents’ registration office informs Serafe monthly
• Electricity/Gas
• Family doctor and possibly other doctors, dentist
• Associations, membership homeowners association, Pro Senectute, TCS, REGA
• Coop, Migros, mail order, eggs, beverages
• Spitex, meal service
• Employer

Yes, because a bank may only allow money withdrawals if the heirs are known (to be proven with the certificate of inheritance). This is because otherwise the financial institution risks being liable for damages to other heirs.

Yes (Art. 462 CC).

Only those who were in a marriage or registered partnership with the deceased also inherit. Merely being a “partner” is not enough for him or her to automatically inherit by operation of law. Of course, the later testator can provide for a different arrangement by will or inheritance contract and favor the partner therein.

Basically yes.

In Pillar 3a, the persons who are taken into account are fixed. The law provides that the spouse comes first. In the second place, you can name your cohabiting partner as beneficiary, even if there are children.

Moreover, you can assign them different quotas. You can determine the order in which parents, siblings and other heirs are to be beneficiaries. Those who wish can assign different quotas to these heirs.

If the 3a payout violates compulsory portions, the beneficiary must make compensatory payments to the other beneficiaries of the compulsory portion. This happens especially when the deceased person leaves few assets other than the 3a assets.

An inheritance contract is a different way of disposing of property than a will (testamentary disposition). In the case of an inheritance contract, the testator undertakes to another person to leave that other person or a third party a portion of the assets. The contract of inheritance cannot be unilaterally amended again, as is the case with a will.

The statutory inheritance rights apply if no disposition upon death (will or contract of inheritance) has been made. They indicate which surviving descendant receives how much of the deceased testator’s estate. They also regulate what happens if a legal descendant (e.g. the child of the testator) has already predeceased the deceased.

The statutory inheritance rights amount to the following fraction according to Art. 457 ff. ZGB, the following fraction of the assets:

Art. 457 CC

Para. 1: The next heirs of a decedent are his descendants.

Para. 2: The children inherit in equal shares.

Para. 3: Predeceased children are replaced by their descendants, in all degrees by tribe.

Art. 458 CC

Para. 1: If the testator leaves no descendants, the inheritance goes to the parent’s tribe.

Para. 2: Father and mother inherit by halves.

Para. 3: The predeceased father or mother is replaced by their descendants, in all degrees by tribe.

Para. 4: If there is a lack of descendants on one side, the entire inheritance falls to the heirs of the other side.

Art. 459 CC

Para. 1: If the deceased leaves neither descendants nor heirs of the parental tribe, the inheritance passes to the tribe of the grandparents.

Para. 2: If the grandparents of the paternal side and those of the maternal side survive the testator, they inherit on each side in equal shares.

Para. 3: A predeceased grandfather or grandmother shall be replaced by their descendants, in all degrees by tribe.

Para. 4: If the grandfather or grandmother on the paternal or maternal side is predeceased, and there are also no descendants of the predeceased, the whole half shall go to the existing heirs on the same side.

Para. 5: If there are no heirs on the paternal or maternal side, the entire inheritance shall go to the heirs on the other side.

Art. 460 CC

With the trunk of the grandparents, the right of inheritance of the relatives ceases.

However, Art. 462 of the Civil Code must always be observed:

Surviving spouses and surviving registered partners receive:

Digit. 1: if they have to share with descendants, half of the inheritance;

Digit. 2: if they have to share with heirs of the parental tribe, three-fourths of the inheritance;

Digit. 3: if there are also no heirs of the parental tribe, the whole inheritance.

Yes. However, anyone who wants to do this must take good care to ensure that the old injunction is destroyed.

A nottestamten is an oral will. This is only possible in exceptional circumstances and only in very exceptional cases. It also happens rarely. Extraordinary circumstances are listed in the law, for example (Art. 506 CC):

• Near danger of death
• Traffic block
• Epidemics
• War events

Furthermore, it must not be possible for the testator to use another form of the will.

The handwritten will must be written by hand in its entirety and must also be signed by hand. It must also be dated.

A will is a unilateral legal transaction to which only the testator / testatrix is party. It can be amended, annulled and revoked at any time during his lifetime.

With a will, the estate can be provided for in deviation from the law – as long as no compulsory portions are violated and the legal minimum standards are observed.

In principle, only the options of the handwritten and the public will come into question, only exceptionally the oral will as an extraordinary variant.

The concept of estate settlement includes all the ways of regulating the fate of the inherited property.

Either the will or the contract of inheritance come into question for this purpose.

An execution of a will (better: execution of a will) is executed by an executor (see for the term: “Who is an executor?”).

In doing so, he/she is instructed to administer the estate, the inheritance assets and to comply with and enforce the provisions made in the disposition of death (e.g. will).

The purpose is basically to ensure the quick and reliable execution of the ordered measures, legacies and division regulations. The execution of the will is intended to provide assistance to descendants.

Depending on the place of residence of the deceased person, the next of kin must report a death within 2 days to the following authorities, although very often and depending on the locality this is done by the mortician:

– the civil registry office of the place of death or

– the burial office at the place of residence of the deceased person. These subsequently inform the civil registry office.

Provide the following documentation (if available):

• Medical death certificate
• Notification of the death
• Writ receipt / family booklet
• Identity card / passport
• Settlement permit / residence permit (for foreigners).

The death of foreign persons without residence in Switzerland must also be reported to the civil registry office at the place of death. The civil registry office will provide information about the required documents.

After the funeral/burial:

• Dissolve marital property: before the inheritance is divided, the assets brought into the marriage or purchased during the marriage (furniture, real estate, money, securities) and debts are divided between the two spouses.
• Settle the inheritance (Depending on the last place of residence of the deceased person, the procedure for distributing the inheritance and the authority responsible for this varies. The authorities of the canton of residence in which the deceased person was registered will inform you about the procedures):
• Dissolve budget
• Distribute household goods among heirs, unless there are provisions in the will.
• Prepare inventory of real estate, collections, jewelry and vehicles for distribution of inheritance.
• Cancel apartment, clear and clean.
• Social and insurance benefits for surviving dependents
• Clarify claims to widow’s, widower’s or orphan’s pensions (AHV/IV),
• Clarify claims to supplementary benefits to AHV/IV and cantonal aid,
• Clarify entitlements to welfare benefits,
• Clarify claims to survivors’ pensions with the employer (BVG),
• Clarify insurance policy/life insurance claims.
• Secure personal documents of the deceased person from the residence,
• Revoke powers of attorney with banks,
• Cancellation and claiming of any benefits from insurance companies (health insurance, household contents, accident and life insurance, etc.),
• Inform bank and post office, order statements by date of death,
• Contact employer regarding clarification of claims for continued pay, death benefits, severance pay,
• Cancellations of subscriptions and memberships to clubs and associations,
• Prepare tax return per date of death,
• Deregistration with the AHV/IV compensation fund,
• Inform road traffic office.

In the case of a gift, the donor must be capable of acting.

On the other hand, the donee does not necessarily have to be capable of acting, but at least capable of judgment.

The donation can be made “hand to hand” and thus informally. It takes place through the physical handover of the object by the donor to the donee.

In contrast, a promise to make a gift must be agreed in writing in order to be valid.

Marital property law and inheritance law in particular set the legal framework and thus also the limits for a gift: In connection with an inheritance, the explanations on the subject of “advance inheritance” must be observed.

Under Swiss inheritance law, an advance withdrawal from an inheritance is a type of gift (see on gifts below). An advance inheritance is a gratuitous transfer of assets during the lifetime of the testator.

In this context, it is particularly important to note that an advance inheritance is generally subject to “equalization”. In concrete terms, this means that an heir who has received an advance withdrawal during his or her lifetime must have this deducted from his or her share of the inheritance in the event of death. Accordingly, he or she then receives less of the inherited assets at the time of death.

A disclaimer means that the person disclaiming the inheritance does not wish to participate in the assets of the deceased. It does not receive any assets, but in return it does not pay any debts / liabilities.

The declaration of rash must be unequivocal, unambiguous and unconditional. In principle, it is also irrevocable.

It is important that the disclaimer is made within a period of three months from the date of knowledge of the death (for the legal heirs) and three months from the date of knowledge of the appointment of the heir (for the appointed heirs).

A disclaimer makes sense in particular if the inheritance is overindebted, i.e. has more debts than assets.

Sealing officers are those persons who perform a sealing.

The president or a member of the municipal council is responsible for sealing. However, it may also be that these tasks have been handed over to another management body.

A sealing must be made in every case of death (few exceptions).

The inheritance inventory (see, “What is an inventory”) is drawn up by a notary public entered in the register of notaries public of the Canton of Bern and should contain as accurate a list as possible of the objects of the inheritance with valuation and the obligations encumbering the inheritance (Art. 61 EG ZGB of the Canton of Bern).

An inventory in connection with an inheritance is a kind of “security device”. It is a means of security in order to be able to ensure the legally correct inheritance (Art. 551 para. 2 CC).

“Inventory” means the inventory of the property belonging to the estate of the deceased.

The inventory is usually done as a preliminary step to sealing (see, “What is sealing”).

Yes. See for further discussion, “Who Draws Up the Health Care Proxy?”

Without the Kesb, there would be no advance directives – and vice versa. Authority and advance directives are two cornerstones of adult protection law. Before an advance directive comes into force, the Kesb must check that everything has been correctly and completely recorded. Consideration is also given to whether the person making the provision is capable of caring for the other person.

If everything is in order, the appointed person receives a document stating what the now incapacitated person has determined. Homes, banks and insurance companies and other partners must accept this certificate issued by Kesb.

On the one hand, the advance directive is valid as long as the principal is incapacitated. If she regains judgment, the contract is suspended.

On the other hand, the appointed person may terminate the advance directive at any time by giving two months’ notice in writing to the adult protection authority. It may terminate the contract without notice for good cause.

The advance directive only becomes valid if the person making the directive becomes incapacitated.

The health care proxy in its form no longer exists. On the other hand, powers of attorney can be issued in the form of general or special powers of attorney. In this context, the representation of the person granting the power of attorney may last beyond the incapacity to judge, or even occur earlier. The power of attorney can, for example. also provide that business shall be conducted by the authorized person with immediate effect, and shall continue to apply during the period of any incapacity for judgment. This makes sense especially if the person granting the power of attorney, for example. had an accident and is therefore absent from home for a longer period of time.

Yes. However, this requires compliance with the formal requirements that also apply to the establishment. This means that the advance directive must either be revoked in full by hand or the revocation must be publicly certified.

Alternatively, the old advance directive can also be destroyed.

If a person draws up a new advance directive without expressly revoking the old one, the new one is presumed to replace the old one if the new one is not merely an addition to the old one.

Yes. For example the simplest day-to-day correspondence is handled by the appointee / appointee. This is because the commissioner is not simply authorized to do so.

A natural person or legal entity may be entrusted with the execution of the pension order.

The advance directive is drawn up by the person who may become incapacitated at a later date. It must be drawn up by hand or publicly notarized.

In fact, preventive care requires this. Funeral directors are very happy to advise you on all questions and concerns.

Upon request and in consultation with a funeral home, this will be prepared in detail. As a rule, a cost breakdown is a component of the provision. In certain cases, these can or must be waived. A funeral home will advise you.

There are regional differences in terms of rates charged by institutions/offices/facilities, costs charged by funeral homes, or costs charged by other individuals and businesses involved. If an individual cost breakdown is desired, contact a funeral home in their area. Members of the Swiss. Association of Funeral Services are experienced and trustworthy and know the local conditions. They can provide advice and support.

Because many different people, companies, community facilities, etc. are involved, detailed cost information also depends on the exact formulation of the individual situation. Thus, the costs can range from CHF 0 to several thousand francs, depending on the case.

The funeral provision/heir’s provision ensures the desired execution of one’s own funeral according to one’s own ideas and wishes. It helps to arrange everything during your lifetime. It ensures that own wishes are fulfilled and that relatives are relieved. In certain cases, a certain amount of money can be paid for the funeral in order to arrange everything comprehensively and to relieve relatives.

In the event of a bereavement, social skills and philanthropy are elementary. It does not matter whether a death occurred suddenly or was foreseeable. Bereaved families need the support of friends and acquaintances in this very difficult and unusual situation. This is the only way to process the loss.

If you are informed of a death by SMS, you can also react directly to this message by SMS and express your concern. After that, a visit or phone contact is appropriate so that the grieving can tell. This helps those affected to understand what has happened.

Writing a letter is also a very nice way to respond. In this context, phrases such as “time heals all wounds” or the like should be avoided as far as possible. A sincere “I am very sorry” or “My sincere condolences” is appropriate. Also, the sincere offer of support is a very nice sign. Often, condolence cards are also read again and again by the bereaved and are also later, after the initial period of mourning, signs of compassion and therefore do good.

If the heir does not know a password, he cannot access and delete the associated user account. He must contact the service provider, such as the e-mail provider. They are obliged to grant the heirs access to the account.

Yes. In the absence of a will or inheritance contract, the digital estate of a deceased person passes to his or her legal heirs.

The legal situation regarding data on the Internet has not been clearly clarified. They can be heritable assets like an online bank account or privacy-protected data like photos on Facebook. In contrast to assets, data protected by personal rights ceases to exist when a person dies. This means that heirs may be denied access to such data.

The digital estate includes all data, profiles and assets that people leave behind on local devices such as cell phones and computers or on the Internet after their death. Without a will or inheritance contract, the digital estate passes to the legal heirs after death.

In an advance directive, a person with capacity can specify which medical measures he or she consents to or does not consent to in the event of his or her incapacity.

People with artificial joints for example hip joint, knee joint, stiffened back ect. may be cremated. These are removed from the ash.

In the case of burial in the ground, the pacemaker does not have to be removed. In terms of ecology, however, it makes sense to remove the pacemaker even in the case of burial in the ground.

After cremation, the ashes are triaged. Scrap metal (e.g. coffin nails or metal from operations in the body) is sorted from the ashes by magnet. Precious metal (e.g. gold tooth, wedding ring) is emptied into the urn with the ashes. Artificial joints (e.g. hip, knee, stiffened back) are sorted out and disposed of.

People who have artificial joints, hip joint, knee joint, stiffened back can be cremated.

According to Art. 266 I OR, you have an extraordinary termination option in the event of death. You may terminate the lease with the statutory notice period to the next statutory date, even if the lease agreement does not permit termination until a later date.

The statutory period is three months for apartments and six months for business premises.

The legal date is the local one.

Under certain circumstances, however, the lease agreement allows for a more rapid termination than Art. 266i CO, for example in the city of Zurich, where there are only two customary termination dates per year. Then you can terminate based on the contractual notice periods and dates.

Furthermore, you have the possibility to suggest new tenants to the landlord. Then you do not even have to comply with the three-month notice period.

A tenancy does not automatically expire when the tenant dies.

It is important to know: A tenancy does not automatically expire when the tenant dies. The heirs must give notice. In principle, all heirs would have to do this together.

However, based on the statutory provisions on management without mandate (Art. 419 et seq. CO), termination by an heir alone should also be valid.

Principle

The guardianship and the office of the guardian end by law with the death of the person concerned (Art. 399 Para. 1 and Art. 421 No. 2 CC).

After the end of the term of office, there is a duty to submit a final report and, if necessary, a final account to the KESB (Art. 425 ZGB).

Legal succession

The guardian may be authorized to execute a specific order by the legal successors, who must legitimize themselves by means of a certificate of inheritance.

If the guardianship acts without a mandate and legitimation, the tasks are to be carried out according to the rules of management without a mandate (Art. 419 ff. OR). The transactions are thus to be conducted for the benefit of the deceased person and in accordance with his or her presumed will. The guardian is personally liable for any damage caused by careless or negligent conduct.

In practice

Often there is a need to have certain matters taken care of after the death of the person concerned, especially the arrangement of the funeral if there are no heirs/known heirs or if they do not take care of the deceased person.

Every municipality is obliged to give a deceased person a decent burial (right to human dignity, Art. 7 BV). If there are no family members to arrange for the burial, the responsibility for a suitable burial rests with the municipality. If necessary, the former support person must provide the impetus and support for this.

Inheritance Office

The municipalities act as inheritance offices and are authorized to appoint an inheritance administrator. The guardian may be provided for this purpose (Art. 554 para. 3 CC). The KESB is only to be involved in inheritance matters if absent or incapacitated heirs or heirs in need of assistance/protection must be represented.

Tenancy

With regard to a tenancy, the tenancy is not automatically terminated by death, but the tenancy agreement passes to the heirs and is continued by them. The heirs may terminate with the statutory notice period (Art. 266i OR).

If there are no known or existing heirs, the former support person should inform the landlord of the death. The tenancy may only be terminated with the express instruction of the heirs or in the capacity of officially appointed executor/administrator of the estate.

Further tasks if no relatives/heirs are available

• Removal of perishable goods
• Feeding and caring for pets
• Clarification of the burial (but no commissioning).
• Preventing unnecessary cost consequences
• Orders that cannot be postponed due to unavoidable imminent or growing damage
• Close accounting / prepare financial statements as of date of death / prepare final report and final invoice as of date of death
• Order deposit/account statements by date of death
• Create pending list for heirs (stop standing orders, cancel LSV, reclaims, such as. Health insurance premiums, medical expenses, medical expenses with EL)

Tasks on behalf of the heirs

• Notification of relatives and caregivers
• Organize funeral
• Cancellation of the apartment
• Reclaim rent deposit
• Notify creditors
• Termination electricity
• Cancellation phone
• Cancellation newspaper subscription
• Cancellation of household/liability insurance, etc.
• Inform local tax administration

Powers of attorney become invalid, expire or are only valid to a limited extent:

• the power of attorney usually expires upon death in accordance with the Code of Obligations
• there are bank powers of attorney that are valid beyond death. However, these are not valid in every case without limitation

In the case of deceased persons, the tax return for the period up to the date of death must be completed by the heirs (= so-called tax liability during the year). Upon the death of a married person, the spouses are assessed jointly until the date of death. For the period after the date of death, the surviving spouse is assessed separately.

A death is a drastic event for the surviving family members and friends of the deceased person. The tax administration tries to take this circumstance into account by only sending documents after a 30-day waiting period.

In any case, the death triggers the need for action by the tax administration. Namely, it terminates the tax liability of the deceased person. Therefore, the tax liability exists only during part of the year. The income earned up to the date of death is taxable. The assets of the deceased person are taxed proportionately up to the date of death.

The heirs must submit a tax return with the income of the deceased person from the beginning of the tax period until the date of death and with the assets on the date of death. The heirs receive a separate tax statement for the deceased person.

Thus, the current month’s pension belongs to the bereaved family, but the next month’s pension payment would have to be repaid.

Example:

For example, with the payment of 07.02.2017 you will receive the pension for the month of February 2017. The transfer time depends on the payment method (bank transfer, check, or postal transfer) and the destination country.

If a death occurs after 07.02.2017, the pension of the deceased person, resp. their heirs.

However, the pension payment of 07.03.2017 would have to be paid back to the AHV.

The current month’s pension belongs to the bereaved family, but the next month’s pension payment would have to be repaid.

As relatives, you must notify the Road Traffic Office within 14 days by means of a circular form (indicate: name, date of birth and date of death of the deceased person). In addition, the name and address of a responsible contact person must be provided.

Any control tag numbers redeemed to the deceased person must be returned within 30 days to either.

1. be returned.

or

2. be transferred to the current owner or holder. The following documents are required for this purpose:

• the application form completely filled in and signed;
  • a new insurance certificate in the name of the current owner (this document is available from the insurer upon request);
  • the previous vehicle registration document for transcription.
  • If no new owner is known, the number must be transferred to the community of heirs within the same period. The procedure is identical.

Anatomical dissection and surgery courses on human bodies are a component of medical student education.

The bodies are preserved for this purpose and future doctors can familiarize themselves with the three-dimensional structure of the human body.

Applications to subsequent patients must be practiced and learned. This includes surgical techniques, as well as surgical procedures that need to be developed and tested on deceased individuals.

Up to six organs can be donated in Switzerland. These include: Heart, lungs, liver, kidney, pancreas (pancreas) and small intestine.

Transplanting tissues and cells include: Cornea, skin, heart valves and large blood vessels, bones, cartilage and tendons and ligaments.

Consent is required for organ or tissue donation and the brain death of the donor must be established beyond doubt

After the removal of organs, a surgical scar remains so that relatives can say goodbye to the deceased person with dignity and peace.

The urn may be kept if so desired. In Switzerland it is allowed to give the ashes of the deceased to nature, on a mountain, in the forest or anywhere else in nature. If you also want to give the urn to nature, you must pay attention to what material the urn is made of and what the particular municipality where the urn is to be buried has for regulations.

Perinatal infant death refers to all losses from fertilization of the egg to the first months of life. This refers to stillbirths, ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, abortions, stillbirths, and also sudden infant death syndrome.

It is also important for children to be able to say goodbye to loved ones. At least older children (elementary school age and older) should be able to attend the funeral service. It is important that they prepare their child well for this and explain to them what exactly is happening there.

In the event of a bereavement, social skills and philanthropy are elementary. It does not matter whether a death occurred suddenly or was foreseeable. Bereaved families need the support of friends and acquaintances in this very difficult and unusual situation. This is the only way to process the loss.

If you are informed of a death by SMS, you can also react directly to this message by SMS and express your concern. After that, a visit or phone contact is appropriate so that the grieving can tell. This helps those affected to understand what has happened.

Writing a letter is also a very nice way to respond. In this context, phrases such as “time heals all wounds” or the like should be avoided as far as possible. A sincere “I am very sorry” or “My sincere condolences” is appropriate. Also, the sincere offer of support is a very nice sign. Often, condolence cards are also read again and again by the bereaved and are also later, after the initial period of mourning, signs of compassion and therefore do good.

According to the KVG, the costs of palliative treatment for patients with basic health insurance in a palliative care unit must be covered by the health insurance company if there is a need for hospitalization. However, supplemental insurance policies (VVG) often vary widely, and many health insurers do not cover palliative care at home or in a hospice.

Yes, this form of palliative care is called pediatric palliative care (PPC). It involves the holistic treatment and care of children, adolescents and their families when children suffer from terminal illnesses with a limited lifespan.

Palliative care includes medical treatments and nursing care as well as psychological, social and spiritual support. Likewise, family members and caregivers are adequately supported and appropriately integrated into the process at the request of the caregiver.

Yes, palliative care is for people with terminal illnesses who have no chance of a cure and a limited lifespan. The aim is to adapt the remaining time of life to the needs, symptoms and problems of the patients with the involvement of their families and/or caregivers.

The cremation process for overweight people takes longer than for people of average weight. For those who are overweight, the cremation process can take up to 2 hours, while for those of normal weight, it is calculated to take about 70-90 minutes.

After cremation, all that remains is the ashes of the bones (bone chalk). The ashes of the cremation coffin are completely decomposed by the great heat of up to 1300 degrees Celsius or these ashes are lighter than those of the bones. During cremation, the wood ash rises and is filtered out by the waste gas purification system.

After cremation, only the bone ash remains. Metal parts that were in the body are removed with a magnet, so that only the ashes of the bones remain. Prostheses or pacemakers also do not burn completely. Larger bone fragments are still crumbled or coarsely ground so that the ash is not too fine.

Yes, even coffins that are oversized go into the cremation oven. In recent years, there is an increase in cremations with oversize. Special coffins are necessary for this purpose. Some crematoria have also had larger cremation ovens built for this purpose in recent years.

Only one person is fed in a coffin at a time per cremation furnace. Otherwise, in the end, you would not be able to separate the ashes of the deceased.

A photo does not have to be in an obituary. However, it is always nice to have a good photo of the deceased person and to be able to print it on the obituary.

Newspapers usually publish obituaries in a separate obituary section. Depending on the newspaper, the closing date for obituaries varies, but it is usually sufficient if the obituary is placed the day before the issue. Your funeral home or regional newspaper can help.

Yes, in most cases the funeral director can help you with the death notice. Your funeral home can quickly help you with the design of obituary notices for the newspaper, grief circulars or thank you cards, or even offer to do so themselves.

Sorrow circulars are usually sent to those people who are expected to be at the funeral service to say goodbye. It can also be whole associations or in some communities it is common to make a mailing to all households.

In an obituary, there are some important points that should not be forgotten.

1. First and last name (and maiden name) of the deceased person, occasionally nickname or sometimes the academic title
2. Date of birth and death
3. The names of the closest survivors (family, relatives, friends, colleagues), usually the names that were closest in the family are mentioned first, spouse, children, siblings, etc.
4. If the funeral service is public, details of the funeral service, place, date, time.
5. Often, a funeral slogan or religious symbol is also printed on the obituary.

In a suffering circular, there are some important points that should not be forgotten. Otherwise, however, the suffering circular can be completely free and personal, even dialect language is possible and increasingly common.

1. First and last name (and maiden name) of the deceased person, occasionally nickname or sometimes the academic title
2. Date of birth and death
3. The names of the closest survivors (family, relatives, friends, colleagues), usually the names that were closest in the family are mentioned first, spouse, children, siblings, etc.
4. details of the funeral service, place, date, time, the address for letters of condolence (bereaved family)

Other items may be written on the obituary such as:

5. Remarks on the personality, profession, career and characteristics of the deceased person(s)
6. Thanks to nurses and doctors
7. a funeral dir ge ( mourning circulars are often introduced in this way)
8. possibly remarks on the period of suffering and/or the cause of death

Your funeral home can help you with this and usually has templates or sample text

A thank you note is written to thank the people who expressed their condolences on the death in some way. This may have been done verbally, with a letter of condolence, or in some other form. Acknowledgements are used to express gratitude for the sympathy and condolences expressed at the time of death.

Urns and ashes from cremation may only be spread or laid to rest outside cemeteries in compliance with the laws governing forestry, water protection, aviation, building and the environment. An urn must be capable of dissolving very quickly when placed in a body of water.

A sophisticated process makes it possible to turn a deceased person’s ashes, hair or fingerprint into an everlasting memento, a one of a kind and very special form of commemoration.

The Swiss Association of Funeral Services (SVB) currently has 176 members.

In addition, there are still some funeral homes that do not belong to the professional association.

Members of the Swiss Association of Funeral Services (SVB):

You can find all members of the Swiss Association of Funeral Services HERE.

The qualifications required for the examination are acquired in the form of modules. The modules last 2 years, part-time.

Audited subjects:

Preparation course module 1

Order processing / Counseling and accompaniment / Care and laying out of the deceased / Transfer and transport / Farewell and burial / Storage and infrastructure

Preparation course module 2

Order Processing and Organization / Consultation / International Transfer and Transport / Accounting / Pension Provision / Law and Business Administration

Graduation:

Funeral director with federal certificate Professional card

Training and professional examination:

Learn everything about the training and professional examination of the Swiss Association of Funeral Services (SVB) HERE.

HERE you will find the current course and examination dates of the Swiss Association of Funeral Services (SVB).

In Switzerland, there are not very many jobs advertised as funeral director. If you meet the requirements for the job, then you may have a chance with a good spontaneous application.

Open positions:

HERE you can find the vacancies on our portal.

Send your spontaneous application to funeral homes in your area.

HERE you will find documents and information brochures of the Swiss Association of Funeral Services (SVB).

In Switzerland, funeral directors become funeral directors through a second-chance education. This is preceded by a completed EFZ apprenticeship or equivalent qualification. Experience and knowledge from comparable work are advantageous – but also career changers can apply for a funeral service if you bring the following requirements:

Requirements:
– Basic vocational training (EFZ apprenticeship or equivalent qualification)
– A healthy relationship with the topic of dying and death
– Empathy, good manners and discretion
– Strong physical and mental resilience
– Independence and ability to work in a team
– Willingness to work weekends, nights, Sundays and holidays
– Fluency in writing and speaking in one or more local languages
– Pleasure in administrative work
– Driving license category B
– Impeccable reputation

Information and documents on the profession of funeral director:
HERE you will find documents and information brochures of the Swiss Association of Funeral Services (SVB).

The offers and services of funeral homes are very extensive. In principle, funeral directors take care of all matters relating to the funeral on request – but in some places the funeral office of the municipality of residence is also the first point of contact in the event of death.

Tasks, activities, services of a funeral home:

Funeral directors …

… advise and accompany relatives in all questions and concerns about the funeral

… organize and coordinate funeral services in all matters

… respect religion and customs of the relatives

… decorate funeral rooms, churches, chapels, etc.

… work in close cooperation with parish offices, funeral orators, florists, stone sculptors, musicians, cleaning and clearance companies, etc.

… are responsible for the hygienic care of the dead, the dressing and coffering of the deceased as well as for demanding rescues, for example during police operations

… transfer deceased at home and abroad

… design and print funeral circulars, thank you notes and obituaries

… take care of official matters, procurement of documents and general administrative tasks

… inform relatives about upcoming insurance and death benefit claims, banking matters, sealing, contract terminations, etc.

… calculate the costs for the respective burial

… offer pension advice and contracts with appropriate documentation

Morticians, funeral homes in your area will be happy to provide you with information:

Ask a funeral home near you about local conditions HERE.

HERE you can find a funeral home in your area.

You were dissatisfied with the services provided by the funeral service you hired? Contact the ombudsman office of the Swiss Association of Funeral Services (SVB) HERE.

Any coffin to be transferred abroad must be sealed. Sealing means the airtight closing of the coffin (zinc insert) in the presence of an official. This ensures that apart from the deceased and his personal belongings, there is nothing else in the coffin. Likewise, odor emissions from the coffin are prevented.

Coffins may be transported by air. Ask a funeral director in your area. He will find out about the possible destinations that are close to the destination.

Contact a funeral service near you. This person will help you with the organization of the foreign transfer or, if you wish, organize the whole transfer. If possible, bring the death certificate, passport, alien’s identity card and the family record book of the deceased. Likewise, the exact destination abroad should be known.

A coffin can be taken abroad. This is also referred to as a foreign transfer.

A coffin can be transferred or transported by hearse or by air.

For this purpose, the coffin must meet certain specifications, regarding condition (e.g. wood thickness, zinc inlay, etc.).

The coffin must be hermetically sealed for the official transfer.

Various countries of destination additionally require the preservation resp. Embalming of the deceased person.

Likewise, various documents and formalities (death certificate, extract from the death register, confirmation of soldering, mortuary passport, translation, etc.) are required for the transfer of a deceased person.

For the certification of the death of a foreign national, documents from the country of origin are usually necessary.

Find a funeral service near you HERE that can help you arrange the documents and transfer.

The family booklet was issued for every marriage until 31.12.2004. Any subsequent civil status event (birth of a child, divorce, naturalization or death) was recorded in the family record book.

Since 2005, family booklets are no longer issued – the family card replaces the old family booklet. Existing family record books are still valid, provided that all civil status events (birth of a child, divorce, naturalization or death) have been recorded in the family record book.

Family Booklet Questions:

Find HERE the competent civil registry office of the place of event.

Are you looking for a funeral home that takes care of the official matters and supports you in all questions concerning the formalities? Find a funeral home in your area HERE.

The family certificate is used by Swiss nationals to prove relationships under inheritance law. The Registered Marital Status Certificate provides information about a person’s current marital status, as well as any legitimate and illegitimate children.

For foreign nationals:

Foreigners or naturalized persons can use it to prove the marital status registered in Switzerland. It can only be issued if the foreign national had a civil status event in Switzerland after 31.12.2004 (e.g. marriage or birth of a child). The document contains the personal data as of the date of the first civil status event in Switzerland and is complete only on condition that all foreign civil status events have been reported.

Family Ticket Questions:

Find HERE the competent civil registry office of the place of event.

Are you looking for a funeral home that takes care of the official matters and supports you in all questions concerning the formalities? Find a funeral home in your area HERE.

Every death must be reported within 48 hours to the civil registry office of the place of the event, i.e. the municipality in which the death occurred and was medically certified. The following are required to register: Hospitals, old people’s and nursing homes, residential homes, the police or, in the case of a natural death at home, the relatives or the appointed funeral home, by means of a power of attorney signed by the relatives or their legal representative. After the death is registered, the civil registry office does the following:

Duties of the Civil Registry Office:

– Entry in the Swiss central database Infostar “Informatisiertes Standesregister”.

– Addendum in the Swiss family register (if available)

– Replacing the family ID card (if available)

– Death notification to the municipality of residence

– Issuance of a national or international death certificate (by order)

Which civil registry office is responsible?

Find HERE the competent civil registry office of the place of event.

Are you looking for a funeral home that takes care of the official matters and supports you in all questions concerning the formalities? Find a funeral home in your area HERE.

Funeral feast
Grebt/Diggs
Food after the funeral
Funeral meal
Funeral dinner
Apéro
Feast for the Dead

It is optional to host a suffering meal. It can be helpful after the funeral and memorial service, the farewell to the deceased person, to host a meal of sorrow. There is space and time to share, tell stories and reminisce.

The funeral director can take care of all the work from A-Z in the event of a death.

Help
At the request of the relatives, the family can be involved in many tasks such as washing, dressing or burying. Otherwise, the funeral director will perform this work for you with great empathy.

Organization
The funeral director takes care of all the formalities, as well as the transfer, burial and laying out. He coordinates the entire funeral service and ensures that everything runs smoothly. Later, the transfer to the crematorium, the collection of the urns or the burial takes place.

Mourning print
Many funeral homes offer in-house printing for grief circulars as well as thank you notes.

Transfer
National or international transfers are also organized by the funeral director, guaranteeing a smooth process. He coordinates the transport or even carries it out himself. Transfers must be made by an appropriate casket transport vehicle such as a hearse. Further ways lead over the water by ship or through the air by plane.

Formalities
Bureaucracy knows no bounds, even in the case of a death. Various documents must be obtained, such as the death certificate or a mortuary passport (for international transports). All this work can be done by the funeral director.

Grief Recovery
There are all kinds of offerings in the form of grief groups, grief walks or grief coffees. Any types of therapies such as sound therapy or other variations can be combined with grief recovery.

Funeral orator
Funeral orators are being used more and more often, especially if it is a non-denominational funeral service.

Farewell party
In addition to a celebration in church, there are a plethora of options today for celebrating the memory of a deceased person. In a neutral environment or even in nature.

Rituals
More and more funeral homes are offering individualized rituals to help cope with grief. These vary greatly from one funeral home to another. Many funeral homes explain their services on their website. If you would like to know more, simply contact the funeral director in your area.

Laying out
Laying out is an incredibly important step in coping with grief. If no laying out is desired, this is of course also possible, but this possibility of saying goodbye is only available once. An interment may be held at the local interment hall or at the funeral director’s in-house interment room. But also in your own home. Ask the funeral home near you and you will receive excellent advice.

Mourning print
Many funeral homes offer in-house printing for grief circulars as well as thank you notes.

Precaution
You can settle almost all matters yourself during your lifetime. You can get advice without any obligation. If you wish, you can also take out a death plan at your local funeral home.

Since the funeral system in Switzerland is regulated on a cantonal basis, there are differences in the way funeral homes handle and offer their services.

During a grief interview/counseling session, all decisions and actions of a funeral are addressed and noted with the loved one in mind. It is determined whether the deceased person wishes a burial in the ground or cremation, cremation, cremation. If no decision was made during life, the relatives decide on the type of burial. In addition, the type of grave is determined. If a death notice, grief circular is to be designed, this can be discussed with the funeral director. The type and manner of the funeral service, abdication and responsible persons can be determined and requested. Organize flowers and clarify the administrative issues.

Here is the link to the website: https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/de/home.html

In people who have died from or with Covid 19, the viruses can be transmitted for a limited time after death. Touching the open coffin should therefore be avoided.

Just as hospital or nursing home staff must protect themselves when dealing with infected people, funeral directors must also take protective measures.

The funeral home and cremation and cemetery personnel must be informed if Covid 19 infection is present in deceased persons.

Open laying out is possible in compliance with the protection concepts.

The farewell ceremony and burial can be carried out if the requirements of a canton and the federal office are met. These rules are adapted on an ongoing basis.

When a death occurs, many questions arise and it may be unclear what to think about or how to proceed.

What are the first steps? What do I have to do? Who can help me?
Depending on the place of death, the procedure varies. There are differences by municipality, region and especially by canton. In some cantons, authority representatives share responsibility and in others they do not.
In some cantons, therefore, one seeks to talk to a funeral service and in other cantons the municipality/funeral office is a point of contact.
Find your information here by larger towns and by cantons.

What are the first steps in the event of death?
A brief overview of the first steps for those cantons where the municipality is not the first point of contact:
Death at home: call doctor
Death as a result of an accident, suicide, or when a deceased person is found: Notify the police
For the rest of the funeral process, the family can hire a funeral director of their choice.

A brief overview of the first steps for the cantons where the municipality is the first point of contact:

Death at home: call doctor
Death as a result of an accident, suicide, or when a deceased person is found: Notify the police
If someone has died at home, the burial and transfer to the mortuary/cemetery is usually arranged by the municipality at the last place of residence (funeral or civil registry office), in all other cases by the hospital, nursing home management or investigating authority. For the burial, the relatives must in any case present themselves at the municipal office at the last place of residence of the deceased.

A brief overview of the first steps for the cantons where the municipality and a funeral service is responsible:

Initial telephone contact with a funeral service. This person will arrange the next steps and answer any questions. Within 48 hours, the death should be reported to the municipal office of the place of residence.