How much does a funeral cost without funeral insurance?

Do you know how much a funeral costs in Spain? According to a study carried out by the OCU (Consumers’ Organisation), the average cost of a funeral in Spain is around 3,500 euros.

However, some factors such as the services contracted, the location or the transfer or repatriation to another country may increase the final cost. At BMI Spain, we can tell you how much a funeral costs without funeral insurance and why you should have this policy.

How much does a funeral cost in Spain?

As we have already mentioned, a funeral in Spain costs between 3,000 and 3,500 euros on average; however, this cost will depend on whether the funeral takes place in a provincial capital or in a smaller place such as a village. Another important factor is the place where the wake or the services contracted are to be held, among others. To give you a general idea of how much a funeral costs in Spain, a service including all the extras can cost as much as 10,000 euros.

Another way of finding out how much a funeral costs in Spain is through the study carried out by UNESPA (Spanish Union of Insurance and Reinsurance Entities), according to which the most expensive cities are located in the north-east of the mainland, with Girona, Madrid and Barcelona heading up the list. In contrast, the cheapest Spanish cities for funerals are the following: Zamora, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Palencia, Soria and Cuenca, as well as the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla.

However, in other cities such as Zaragoza, Bilbao, Murcia, Malaga, Cordoba and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, a burial is less expensive than the average in Spain.

How much does a funeral cost?

To find out how much a funeral costs in Spain without funeral insurance, we should consider the different expenses that the family will have to pay if they do not have this type of policy. The main expenses of a funeral in Spain are:

The funeral parlour

To rent a room in a funeral parlour where relatives can comfortably receive friends and loved ones of the deceased and say their last goodbyes costs approximately 500 euros, although this can vary as it often depends on municipal taxes or the private entity that organises it.

The casket or coffin

Another of the expenses that should be taken into account when calculating the cost of a funeral in Spain is the coffin or casket chosen. Depending on the material it is made of or its design, the price can vary between 800 and 1,000 euros. However, you can find coffins that cost as much as 10,000 euros.

Headstone and Niche

As with caskets, there is a wide range of headstones available with different designs and materials; the price usually starts at 500 euros. Furthermore, the niche usually costs between 150 and 500 euros per year, although this may vary depending on the Autonomous Region.

Cremation

Cremation is one of the most popular options for Spanish families, as it represents a great saving in the cost of burying a person, as some elements such as the niche, coffin, headstone, etc. can be discarded.

The price of cremation is between 250 and 800 euros, and the urns containing the ashes are not usually as expensive as coffins, and there is a wide variety of possibilities in terms of materials and design. It is possible to store the urn in a columbarium; however, the cost of a space would start at around 300 euros.

Transportation

Moving the deceased, either from the wake to the cemetery or because it is necessary for the deceased to be expatriated to another country, is an essential expense for the funeral. In the first case, the price will be around 500 euros, and in the second case, that is, if the deceased has to be transferred to his or her country of origin, the price can amount to 6,000 euros.

Other funeral expenses

You may now have an idea of how much a funeral costs in Spain without funeral insurance with the above-mentioned costs, but there are others to be added:

• Flowers: the choice of wreaths, bouquets, palms or floral displays, as well as the flowers used and their quality, influence the final cost. Normally in Spain, , buying flowers to pay condolences to the loved ones of the deceased can cost between 500 and 1,000 euros.
• Obituary: depending on whether the note is published in a local or national newspaper, the price can vary between 450 and 500 euros.
• Condolence book: when people attend the funeral, they can leave a farewell note to the deceased if they wish, the cost is around 150 euros.
• Certificates and other formalities: when someone dies, the family has to arrange the formalities at the civil registry office, to obtain the death certificate or to request the certificate of last will and testament. The cost of each of these formalities is around 150 euros.

What is funeral insurance and why is it important to have a policy?

Now that you know how much a funeral costs in Spain without funeral insurance, you will probably want to know a little more about this type of policy. A funeral insurance policy consists of an agreement between an insurer and the insured, whereby the insurer takes care of all the expenses that may arise from the death of the insured included in the policy in exchange for the payment of a premium.

If the sum agreed in the contract exceeds the expenses of the services rendered, the policy holder or, failing this, the heirs of the deceased, are liable for this amount.

At BMI Spain we help you find the insurance you are looking for

 Would you like to take out health, home or travel insurance, among others, but don’t know where to start? At BMI Spain, we can help you find the insurance that best meets your needs, so you don’t have to worry about anything.

For more information, you can contact us through any of our channels and we will gladly assist you.