Death in Austria: What to Do, Funeral Arrangements and Notifications in 2026

After the loss of a loved one, official procedures can feel overwhelming, but some steps must be completed quickly. This guide explains what is required, who usually handles it, what documents and costs are involved, and how funerals are organised in Austria. The information is general in nature.

What is the first step if someone dies at home or in hospital?

If the death occurs at home, a doctor must be contacted immediately to carry out the post-mortem examination (Totenbeschau). Until this has taken place, the deceased must not be changed, moved or otherwise disturbed. It is also advisable to contact a funeral director (Bestattungsunternehmen) straight away. In most cases, the funeral director can arrange the post-mortem examination and registration.

In a hospital or nursing home, the local doctor carries out the post-mortem examination, while the institution's management is responsible for registering the death. If relatives have not yet been informed, the institution contacts them. Relatives will generally need to bring the clothes in which the deceased is to be dressed; shoes are not required.

The doctor issues the death notification form (Anzeige des Todes), including the death certificate (Todesbescheinigung). These documents are required by the registry office and the funeral director.

How and where must the death be registered?

The death must be registered with the registry office responsible for the place of death, no later than the next working day. In Vienna, this means one of the Vienna registry offices. The registrar records the death in the Central Civil Status Register (ZPR).

The hospital management or the doctor who carried out the post-mortem examination is primarily responsible for registration. If neither is involved, the spouse, registered partner, another family member, the accommodation provider or another person who knows about the death may register it. It is usually simpler to have the funeral director handle this step.

Documents needed for registration

• The death notification form (Anzeige des Todes).
• The reporting person's photo identification.
• The deceased person's documents, if available: birth certificate, proof of citizenship, marriage certificate or registered partnership document.
• For a divorced person, the divorce decision; for a person whose residence was abroad, proof of the last main residence.

How much do the documents cost?

The death certificate (Sterbeurkunde) or death register extract (Registerauszug Tod) may be requested by the spouse, registered partner, ascendants, descendants or anyone who can demonstrate a legal interest.

• Death registration: free.
• Oral application: free.
• Written application: 21 euros.
• Extract: federal fee: 11 euros.
• Extract: administrative fee: 2.10 euros.
• Death notification for social insurance: free.
• Electronic extract with ID Austria: free.

When applying in person, the extract is generally issued immediately. Additional costs may apply if it is sent by post.

How does the funeral work, and who pays?

Austria has a legal obligation to arrange a funeral (Bestattungspflicht). The details and deadlines are governed by the funeral laws of the individual provinces, so they may differ from one province to another. A funeral director must be commissioned, and a grave must be arranged.

The two main options are burial in the ground, including a grave or crypt, and cremation followed by an urn burial. Burial is permitted only in an authorised cemetery or urn grove. As a general rule, municipal cemeteries bury people who lived in the municipality or died there. Another person may be buried there only with the cemetery administration's consent.

Costs vary considerably depending on the type of funeral, the coffin or urn and the farewell ceremony. If neither the relatives nor the estate can cover the costs, a social funeral (Sozialbestattung) takes place. As a general rule, the province or municipality pays for it.

Grave rights: how long do they last and how much is renewal?

You do not buy a grave. Instead, you receive a right of use. This right can be inherited, but it cannot be sold or given away.

• Ground grave: 10 years.
• Grave with stone cover: 20 years.
• Crypt or urn niche: 60 years.

After the term expires, renewal is generally possible. The renewal fee is approximately between 72.67 and 363.36 euros, plus around 10 euros in provincial administrative fees. In Vienna, the cost is generally higher, and there is no individual notification when the term expires. The term can be checked and renewed through Friedhöfe Wien's online Digitales Grab service.

Who else must be notified?

• Pension insurance provider: The registry office itself reports the death to social insurance. You only need to report it immediately if this has not happened. The pension is payable up to the date of death, and amounts received without entitlement must be repaid.
• Survivor's and orphan's benefits: These must be applied for. If you do not have other health insurance, it is advisable to apply quickly because health insurance is linked to this.
• Insurance companies: In the case of life insurance, notification should be made immediately. Existing insurance policies can generally be changed or cancelled by an informal letter.
• Contracts and subscriptions: Notify the landlord or housing provider, bank, ORF fee service, electricity and gas providers, telephone and internet providers, subscription services and associations.
• Motor vehicle: The representative of the estate notifies the vehicle registration authority.

During the probate proceedings, the appointed notary invites the family to the death inventory meeting (Todesfallaufnahme). It is advisable to bring the will, bank account details, insurance policies and funeral invoices.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if the person dies abroad?

The death certificate is issued in the country where the death occurred. The death does not need to be registered in Austria; only the funeral arrangements need to be organised. Transporting the deceased can be very expensive and is possible only if the costs are covered.

Can funeral costs be deducted from tax?

Funeral costs must primarily be paid from the estate. Only if there is no estate or it is insufficient can up to 20,000 euros be claimed as an extraordinary burden (außergewöhnliche Belastung). Mourning clothes and grave maintenance cannot be deducted.

What rights does an unmarried partner have?

If the partner lived in the same household as the deceased for at least three years, they are entitled to a statutory legacy. However, this right expires one year after the death.

Can someone who died in Austria be buried abroad?

Yes, burial abroad is possible. The death must first be registered with the registry office, transport is carried out by a funeral director, and a multilingual death passport (Leichenpass) is required.

Practical steps after a death in Austria

1. If the death occurred at home, contact a doctor and do not move or change the deceased before the Totenbeschau.
2. Contact a Bestattungsunternehmen and ask whether it will arrange the registration and transport.
3. Collect the Anzeige des Todes, Todesbescheinigung and the deceased person's identity and civil-status documents.
4. Ensure that the death is registered with the responsible Standesamt by the next working day.
5. Request the required Sterbeurkunde or Registerauszug Tod.
6. Arrange the cemetery place, funeral type and ceremony, and check whether the estate or relatives can cover the costs.
7. Notify insurers, banks, landlords, utilities, subscription providers and other contract partners.
8. Prepare the will, bank details, insurance documents and funeral invoices for the Todesfallaufnahme.
9. Apply for survivor's or orphan's benefits if eligible, especially if health insurance depends on the application.

This article is general information and does not constitute legal, medical or other professional advice. For individual guidance, contact a lawyer, legal professional, healthcare professional or another relevant specialist.

Source: oesterreich.gv.at