The Deutsche Rentenversicherung (German State Pension Authority) has provided special information on life certificates with view to the Corona pandemic.

You will find the Information in many languages at

https://www.deutschepost.de/en/r/rentenservice.html

Life certificates requested by German Social Security authorities are issued by the Embassy free of charge. The applicant has to appear in person and present the form sent by the Social Security authority together with a valid identification document (e.g. passport, identity card).