Confusion about birthday greetings: deceased people are celebrated!

Confusion about birthday greetings: deceased people are celebrated!

At a time when celebrating birthdays plays an important role for many, a current administrative mishap is causing a stir. On May 9, 2025, a birthday greeting for Ingetraud Tietze's 80th birthday appeared in the MZ, but she had already died in 2022 during a cruise in Norway. Christine Schuster, her close friend, confirmed that the family was planning a memorial coffee session at the same time and was more than surprised by the publication.

In many cities, this type of birthday greeting is a sign of appreciation for older citizens. But the surprise published congratulations raise questions. The city administration had no entry about Tietze's death in the population register, because relatives have to report to the citizens' office and present a death certificate in order to have the loss officially registered. Such inconsistencies are not new: On January 10, 2025, Ruth Jagieniak from Griebo was also congratulated on her 95th birthday, even though, according to her daughter, she had been deceased for seven years - another mistake that had already occurred on her 90th birthday.

Confusion about the population register

The Citizens' Office regularly updates the population register, but deaths may be reported late or not reported at all. Doreen Raewel, an employee in the mayor's office, expressed regret over the incorrect publication and confirmed that the adapted population register system often faces challenges. The city is already planning to improve existing inspection mechanisms to avoid such incidents in the future.

The birthday list is created monthly by the Citizens' Office and should be checked the day before to see if the people are alive. A process that is important not only for relatives, but also for numerous others who would like to express individual congratulations on birthdays. Birthdays are celebrated in many cultures, and choosing the right words can be crucial to a successful greeting. Whether humorous, loving or inspiring – the possibilities are almost endless. On platforms like sprueche-zum-verschenken.de There are over 50 unique birthday wishes that are sure to delight the birthday child.

The meaning of birthday wishes

Healthy, happy and successful wishes for the new year are the focus of many congratulations. These heartfelt lines are not only intended for friends and family, but also remind us of the importance of gratitude and positive experiences in life. Birthday wishes help strengthen the bond between people.

But what happens when such words reach the wrong address? The city administration became aware of this problem due to the current incidents and has already taken the necessary steps to correct the data. Proper handling of the reporting systems is essential, even if implementation always brings its challenges. As the case of Ingetraud Tietze and Ruth Jagieniak shows, good management skills are everyone's responsibility.

For the city, feedback from citizens, such as requests to clarify registrations, is the best basis for optimizing processes. It is important that anyone who has experienced a case of incorrect entries actively seek clarity.

The ongoing difficulties remind us of how valuable every life story is - even if the stories themselves are sometimes no longer fully captured. Finally, the hope remains that municipalities will take the right steps to avoid such mistakes in the future.

What does the future hold? One thing is certain: every birthday is a reason to celebrate, as long as the right people are there to celebrate it.