October Changes: From Time Shifts to Scattering Ashes – What You Need to Know
Table of Contents
October 2nd, 2025 – As the scent of pumpkin spice fills the air and Halloween decorations begin to appear, October brings with it more then just seasonal changes. From adjustments to the clock and new laws regarding funeral practices, to updates in banking and broadcasting fees, here’s a breakdown of the key changes taking effect this month.
A Landmark Funeral Law in Rhineland-Palatinate
Germany’s most progressive funeral law has come into effect in Rhineland-palatinate, offering individuals unprecedented freedom in how they honor their loved ones. The new legislation allows for the scattering of ashes in private gardens, the creation of memorial diamonds from cremated remains, and even keeping ashes within the home.
While river burials are now permissible, they still require specific permits, as do other novel options. Health Minister Clemens Hoch emphasized that implementation will be phased, with details regarding approved scattering locations and procedures to be clarified.
A particularly poignant aspect of the new law addresses “star children” - babies lost before the 24th week of pregnancy or weighing less than 500 grams, previously categorized as miscarriages.Now, parents can choose to bury these children alongside a parent who has passed away, offering a formal acknowledgement of their loss and a shared resting place.
Winter time Returns
As is tradition, clocks will turn back one hour on October 26th at 3:00 AM, reverting to 2:00 AM. This shift to winter time means brighter mornings but darker evenings.
broadcasting Fee Relief for Students
Good news for students! Beginning with the winter semester 2025/26, eligible students receiving Bafög (federal education assistance) and living independently of their parents will be exempt from the mandatory German broadcasting contribution fee (Rundfunkbeitrag).Students in WGS (student residences with BAföG-related funding) also qualify. However, an request is required to claim the exemption. Learn more here
Enhanced Security for Bank Transfers
Starting October 9th, banks and savings banks across the EU will implement enhanced security measures for SEPA transfers. They will now be required to verify the recipient’s name against the provided IBAN to prevent errors and protect against fraud.
This check, conducted in seconds, aims to thwart criminals who exploit typos or provide false account details to redirect funds.
Furthermore, all banks will be mandated to offer real-time euro transfers, at a cost comparable to existing transfer methods.
Stay informed with World-Today-News.com for the latest updates on these and other important developments.
SEO Notes:
* Keywords: October changes, Germany, funeral law, Rhineland-Palatinate, winter time, broadcasting fee, student exemption, bank transfers, SEPA, fraud prevention.
* Meta description: Discover the key changes happening in Germany this October – from a groundbreaking funeral law to time shifts, student fee exemptions, and enhanced banking security.
* **Internal Linking
