Child funeral in Berlin – when the unimaginable happens
Every child is unique. Every farewell is, too.
When a child dies, a complex world of relationships collapses. Parents, siblings, grandparents – everyone is faced with a loss for which there are no words. And yet, decisions have to be made in these first days.
At Atelier Magnolia Bestattungen, we are here for you. In Berlin, at your pace, close by.
We are here for you – around the clock.
Contact us at any time. No call is too early, none too late.
If your child has died
Who we support
We support families with child funerals in Berlin – from a star child who had only heartbeats to a child who filled a home for ten years.
- Star children and butterfly children (miscarriages and stillbirths)
- Infants and newborns
- Toddlers and children up to their 10th birthday
Whether your child died from an illness, an accident, or suddenly and unexpectedly – we do not ask why. We ask: What do you need right now?
What makes a child funeral different
Grief has many faces. For parents it looks different than for siblings. Different for grandfathers than for school friends. That makes planning a child funeral something very special – and a task we want to work through together.
When a child dies, everyone grieves at the same time – and yet each person differently. Children sometimes show grief playfully, sometimes not at all, sometimes with a directness that overwhelms adults. We take that into account.
That is why we design child funerals in Berlin the way you need them. We will take you by the hand, with great care and time, and walk with you openly, slowly and gently through the farewell.
Saying goodbye – at home or with us
If your child died in hospital, you may take them home and, depending on your child’s weight, spend up to 36 more hours with them there, far away from the sterile hospital rooms. We will take care of a smooth transfer.
If you do not want to or cannot do that, our atelier in Berlin-Mitte is a place that holds you. Pastel-coloured walls, candlelight, wicker coffins and a homely atmosphere. Here you can stay with your child undisturbed and give them closeness. No hospital, no office. Just space for you and your child.
You may wash your child, dress them, sing to them. Siblings can join, paint the coffin, place toys inside, stroke them. Show them that they are loved even now, now that they have died.
Starstyling Berlin × Atelier Magnolia
As colourful as life was
This coffin cover was created in collaboration with the Berlin label Starstyling. A farewell that is not grey. But as vibrant as the child you are saying goodbye to.
Handmade, colourful, unique. For families who want to give the farewell its own language.
When the smallest among us go
Star child funeral in Berlin
What applies legally in Berlin?
A star child is a child who died during pregnancy, at birth or shortly afterwards. For many parents it feels as if the world did not understand what they have lost. We understand.
In Berlin, there is a legal obligation to arrange a funeral for children who were born alive or had a birth weight of at least 1,000 grams. Children under 500 grams can be buried individually by their parents, but do not have to be. If the weight is between 500 and 1,000 grams, special regulations apply – please speak to us directly and we will clarify this together.
Regardless of birth weight: every child may be buried. You have this right – even if no one at the hospital pointed it out to you.
How much does a child funeral cost?
The costs depend on the type of funeral, the cemetery and your wishes. In addition, there are cemetery fees and, if applicable, further services depending on your wishes. We will provide you with a transparent quote – without pressure, without hidden costs.
You can find a complete overview of costs on our funeral costs page.
Registering a star child in the birth register
Since 2013, you can have your star child registered at the registry office – regardless of birth weight. For many parents, this is an important step. An official sign: this child existed.
Star child graves in Berlin
Several Berlin cemeteries have dedicated areas for star children:
- Alter St.-Matthäus-Kirchhof, Großgörschenstr. 12–14 – Garden of the Star Children
- Luisenfriedhof III, Fürstenbrunner Weg 37–67
- Alter Luisenstadt-Friedhof, Südstern 8–12
- Kirchhof St. Petri-Luisenstadt, Friedenstr. 81
- Dankes- und Nazareth-Friedhof II, Blankestr. 12
We will support you in choosing the place. And we know the way there.
Shooting Star Tree in FriedWald – the natural burial for the very smallest
In FriedWald there is a special place for the smallest members of a family: the Shooting Star Tree. Here, children who died before birth, during pregnancy or in the first years of life find a resting place in the midst of nature, beneath a tree that continues to grow.
The grave plot itself is free of charge. Only cemetery costs of around €450 apply, for the support of a female or male forester as well as opening and closing the grave. Grave care is not required in FriedWald; the place remains in its natural state.
We take care of the entire coordination and accompany you through every step.
We are here for you – from the very beginning.
Contact us at any time for an initial conversation. No forms, no waiting times.
The memorial service – the way it suits your child
A memorial service for a child is not mandatory. But it can help. It gives grief a place, a face, a form.
We create memorial services that suit the child – and you. With siblings who are allowed to draw. With music the child loved. With rituals you invent yourselves.
Whether in our atelier in Berlin-Mitte, at the cemetery, under a tree in FriedWald or somewhere else entirely – we will follow your lead.
The time afterwards
After the funeral, a life begins that has changed completely. After the funeral, a life begins that carries a gap, whose balance must be found anew. Parents grieve differently. Siblings too. The balance in the family shifts.
We are happy to refer you on – to grief counselling, to self-help groups, to contact points in Berlin. Because we know that our support ends at some point, and yours does not.
Our grief counsellor Caterina Beck is also there for you after the funeral.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about child funerals
What should I bring to the funeral of a star child?
This is one of the most common questions – and one of the most personal. Many parents bring something that belongs to the child: a cloth, a cuddly toy, a flower they never got to hold in their hands. There is no obligation and no wrong choice. We are happy to discuss this with you beforehand: Tel. 01520 958 70 51.
Who covers the costs of a child funeral?
As a rule, the costs are borne by the family. If financial means are lacking, the social welfare office may, upon application, cover the costs as part of a social funeral. We will help you submit the application.
Can I have my star child buried if they weigh less than 500 grams?
Yes. In Berlin, as parents you have the right to bury any child – regardless of birth weight. An obligation only applies from 1,000 grams. Please speak to us; we will clarify the exact legal framework for your situation. If you have any questions, please contact us directly: Tel. 01520 958 70 51.
Can siblings attend the burial?
Yes – and often that is important. Siblings grieve too. A farewell that also makes space for them can help. We design the memorial service in a child-friendly way when children are present.
How quickly do I have to decide?
You do not have to know everything right away. Get in touch with us – we will listen first. Everything else will follow at your pace: Tel. 01520 958 70 51.
Is there support for parents after the funeral?
Yes. In Berlin there are grief groups, counselling centres and grief support specifically for bereaved parents. We will give you the right addresses – including the Regenbogen initiative, the Federal Association for Child Death, and our grief counsellor Caterina Beck.