A survey conducted by TNS Emnid Medien- und Sozialforschung GmbH on the funeral wishes of Germans revealed that less than a third (29 percent) of respondents want a coffin burial in the event of their own death. In 2004, the figure was 39 percent. The study carried out on behalf of the consumer initiative Aeternitas shows: More and more people prefer cremation and one of the […]
A survey conducted by TNS Emnid Medien- und Sozialforschung GmbH on the funeral wishes of Germans revealed that less than a third (29 percent) of respondents want a coffin burial in the event of their own death. In 2004, the figure was 39 percent. The study carried out on behalf of the consumer initiative Aeternitas shows: More and more people prefer cremation and one of the options of care-free burial of ashes. One in ten would like to find their final resting place in their own home.
Funeral wishes
There are clear differences between eastern and western Germany: while 33 percent in the west would like a standard coffin burial, the figure is only twelve percent in the east (2004: 41 percent and 29 percent respectively). The wish to keep the urn at home or in one’s own garden is more widespread in the eastern federal states: 22 percent compared to six percent of respondents from the west.
Funeral wishes (West and East Germany)
Although around 60 percent of Germans are members of one of the major churches, only 43 percent of respondents consider church support for their own funeral to be important (very important at 23 percent, somewhat important at 20 percent). 28 percent consider this unimportant and 27 percent do not wish to be accompanied by the church.
Church support
Church support is more important to women than men (very important: 28% compared to 18%). 60 percent of men consider church support to be unimportant (30 percent) or reject it (30 percent), compared to 51 percent of women.
Church support (gender)
A comparison between East and West shows that East Germans are less likely to want church support and more likely to reject it altogether: very important 14 percent to 25 percent, rather important 15 percent to 21 percent, rather unimportant 28 percent to 28 percent and no church support 42 percent to 24 percent.
Church support (West and East Germany)
1,005 citizens over the age of 14 were asked about their funeral wishes and their desire for church support.
Source: Aeternitas/ tns emnid 2013
