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Death and Dying in Germany

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It may be one of the most natural things in the world, but dying has sparked much controversy in Germany of late.

First came cries of complaint from the church that too many Germans were turning away from the tradition of having a marked grave. Then came the highly thorny issue of whether or not assisted suicide should be allowed.

Read about breaking taboos in this DW-WORLD dossier.

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Reports & Analysis

Finding Final Peace in the Forest

The one soft spot in Germany's otherwise rigid burial practices are Friedwälder, forests especially set aside to allow headstone-free burials in nature. Thus far, there are nine of them and their popularity is growing.

Germans Consider Alternatives to Assisted Suicide

A new study says most Germans are in favor of legally assisted suicide. But in its own report, a group caring for the terminally ill says Germans would see voluntary suicide differently if they had a real choice.

German Assisted Suicide Debate Heats Up

Germany's debate about assisted suicide has flared up after a state minister said he would back legalization. Church officials meanwhile called for a ban of a Swiss group that wants to help terminally ill Germans to die.

When Life Becomes Worse Than Death

In a move which has caused considerable consternation among politicians and the church, the Swiss organization for assisted suicide, Dignitas, has founded a subsidiary in Germany.

Breathing New Life Into Old Rites

Germany remains one of the few countries in Europe which operates a system of enforced cemetery burials, but there is a growing sense among civilians that the time has come to breathe new life into an old tradition.

Germans Too Quiet About Suicide

More than 11,000 Germans take their own lives annually, though more people are deciding to seek help. But for the majority, suicide still remains a subject they would rather not talk about.

Choosing Physician-Assisted Death

Around seven million Germans have written a living will. Renate and Johanna are among those who have tackled the difficult subject.

Non-Traditional Burials Gain Popularity in Germany

The church holiday of All Saints is a day when loved ones remember deceased relatives and care for their graves. More and more however, typical gravesites marked by a headstone are declining in popularity.

Filling the Final Days With Laughter

Children will get sick from time to time but we don't expect them to die. However, the sad fact is this happens. Hospices help sick children through their last days and make them bearable for patient and family alike.

End-of-Life Care Neglected in Germany

A raging debate about assisted suicide in Germany has drawn attention to the generally poor care that the terminally ill receive.