How much does a funeral with cremation cost? Factors and recommendations

When calculating how much a funeral with cremation costs, it is necessary to analyse different factors. Today at Áltima we break down the price of these funeral services and offer alternative finance options and cost-saving tips.

Factors affecting the price of a funeral with cremation

Arranging a funeral with cremation can be costly for families, and the total price can vary depending on a number of factors. The most common are as follows:

Price of the package of funeral services contracted

The cost of a funeral with cremation depends primarily on the contracted funeral services. In this case, the cremation process is an expense to be taken into account, as well as the payment of fees and certificates and other additional services such as florists, obituaries and programme handouts, etc.

Cost of urns, different types and materials

Naturally, the cost of a funeral with cremation must include the cost of the urn for the ashes. The price of the urn will depend on factors such as the quality of the materials and any added details or decorations, among other things, as well. The type of urn may also be affected by its final destination: salt urns for scattering the ashes in the sea, ecological or biodegradable urns for family trees, etc.

There is a wide range of urns to choose from, from the most basic to the more sustainable ones, which are made of special materials to help protect the environment.

In addition, by law, cremation in Spain must be carried out with a coffin, so this, while basic, is also an unavoidable expense for families when they choose a funeral with cremation.

Additional expenses for transport and documentation

Transport and documentation costs should not be forgotten when calculating the price of a funeral with cremation. The collection of the deceased and their transport to the funeral home and the cemetery are additional costs, which will be higher depending on where they need to be taken. For example, the price will increase if they have to be taken to a different province, autonomous community or even country.

In terms of documentation, a funeral with cremation requires permits so there will be charges for obtaining certificates and the corresponding fees. 

Finance options for a funeral with cremation

In view of the different expenses that a family has to face when a loved one dies, it is common to look for alternative finance options in order to alleviate this financial burden.

There are different ways of paying for a funeral in instalments. The most frequent are:

1. Funeral plans. This involves arranging for certain funeral services in advance with a specialised company, so that families do not have to pay for these expenses in the future. Planning in this way means that these services can be paid for in monthly instalments at a fixed total price. Thus, when the time comes, your family can simply leave everything in the hands of the contracted company.

2. Life insurance. This is one of the most common options among Spanish families because it allows them to take out a policy with a specific funeral cover. The interested party will pay the insurance in instalments to the insurance company and, in this way, the basic expenses of their own funeral will be covered when they die.

3. Financing in instalments. Taking out a bank loan is another solution chosen by families to avoid having to pay for a funeral with cremation all at once when a loved one dies. While this allows the payments to be split, it is not always the best option, as it leads to the payment of extra interest and other associated costs that ultimately increase the cost of the funeral service. Another similar option is to pay by credit card.

How much does a funeral with cremation cost for each option? This will depend on the company with which the service is planned. Typically, an insurance company and a bank will add interest and other charges to their financial service, whereas a funeral company will only offer a payment facility for a service that it will provide itself in the future. However, it is up to each family to decide which option is best for them at all times.

Recommendations for choosing a funeral with cremation service

Given how much a funeral with cremation costs, the factors that influence it and the different finance options available, we will now offer you some useful tips on how to save money when choosing this funeral service:

• First of all, plan well in advance. Anticipation is the best way to lighten the financial burden when a loved one passes away. Evaluate the different options available and choose the best one for you.

• Secondly, choose a suitable funeral company that offers a quality service and a high degree of personalisation. This will allow you to select the funeral services you are interested in, finance the costs and make all the important decisions yourself.