Social burials in Saxony-Anhalt: Halle leads with worrying numbers

Social burials in Saxony-Anhalt: Halle leads with worrying numbers

increasing figures for social burials as a social signal

The topic of social burials is becoming increasingly important, especially considering the increasing number of people who are financially unable to pay for their own burial costs. In 2022, a total of 770 such burials were registered in Saxony-Anhalt, as can be seen from a response from the state government to a request from left-wing politician Monika Hohmann.

hall as a focal point

The location in Halle is particularly striking, where 370 social burials were recorded. The city shows a dramatic increase, with 554 applications made in 2022, while only 25 cases are documented in the somewhat larger state capital Magdeburg. This discrepancy raises questions about social justice and dealing with the municipalities with needy citizens.

Financial burdens for municipalities and counties

Overall, the counties and large cities in Saxony-Anhalt spent over 1.4 million euros for social burials last year. Halle had the highest expenses with over 800,000 euros. These burdens illustrate the need for political action in order to reduce the financial obligations of the municipalities in the support of needy citizens.

The funeral celebrations in Halle

A special aspect of social burials in Halle represents the monthly funeral service organized by Evangelical and Catholic Churches. These ceremonial events that can affect up to ten deceased usually attract around 40 guests, among whom many former colleagues and acquaintances of the deceased are. Pastor Ralf Döbbeling emphasizes the importance of these celebrations: "The name of every deceased is called twice - a sign of respect and memory."

social changes and outlook

Monika Hohmann comments concerned about the growing number of people who rely on social burials. She notes that more and more older citizens need financial support, especially if they are in need of care. This development is alarming and could indicate deeper social problems that require careful analysis.

in a country in which every person should earn a dignified funeral, the increase in social burials not only shows the financial pressure on the families concerned, but also the challenges in front of which many citizens are facing. The state only assumes the funeral costs if the relatives are central, which is often not the case due to the minimum wage. It is necessary to think about solutions to ensure that nobody is left alone in such a difficult time.

- Nag

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