Funerals in Spain

Hi, as morbid a subject as this is, but I need to find out more about burial in Spain.

Can anyone tell me the procedure when someone dies in Spain, if they have no repatriation cover. I was told you would have to pay for each additional night the body is in the mortuary and also there are time limits on burials and cremations. What is the cost of this?

Many Thanks,

Amatista

I know all about funerals in Spain as my father died last year. However my Spanish speaking son did help me out, he phoned someone and they came and confirmed death and gave us a piece of paper. Next you find a funeral company and they come within an hour or so, they go through everything with you, choice of coffin, flowers etc. They do all the paper work including registering the death with the Consulate etc. They then take the body. They also informed the local 'Vicar' and he contacted me regarding the service. Price....quite expensive, basic cremation including everything 4,700 euros. This was in Marbella. After the event I discovered it can be done less expensive approx 2500 + The cremation doesn't have to take place within 24 hours like the Spanish way, a week later is fine which allows people to get flights etc. If the death is unexpected I believe you have to phone the Guardia first. I have heard that If the person who dies wishes to leave their body to the hospital, I think they arrange everything at no cost, but this would need checking out as this may not be true. You could then have a memorial service instead.

Thank you very much

We have arranged a funeral insurance plan through Tony Smith, the English Funeral Director.  He covers Murcia, Costa Blanca South and Almeria.  Most Spanish families have funeral insurance apparently, so they don't have to pay out a large sum of money when a family member dies.

We are paying extra for Tony to make all the arrangements, as although we speak some Spanish I suspect that when the time comes the surviving partner will be a bit stressed to say the least!  It includes repatriation if required, plus keeping the body for 5 days in the mortuary, etc.  He has given us a card which has a 24 hour phone number, and instructions in both English and Spanish.  He also has contact numbers for our next of kin in the UK.  Check the link above for full details. 

Sue

Thanks for your help

is this an insurance backed policy?

Yes.  The payments are obviously based on your age, so our friend who has just turned 40 pays less than 6€ a month, whereas I pay over 15€ as I am 63.  I may end up paying a lot more overall if I live to a grand old age - but that won't bother me!

Sue

So the insurance goes up every year is that right Sue?  

So this just covers Costa Blanca?

Pat 

I paid about £3000 one off payment and that covers all your needs, I have one contact number and they see to all the rest. It also covers if the death occurs in the uk or anywhere in Spain.it is long established u.k insurance company,and the money is held in a seperate account and cannot be used by them for anything other than the funerals

Thanks for that! Although we are insured I have   not done anything about funeral arrangements. Something I should be looking into.

That is ineresting it covers UK as well.

Pat

This being Spain and mostly unregulated I would encourage all to carefully read small print and make sure it is underwritten by  tier 1 insurance company and note all conditions/exclusiuons ......

Otherwise you may find on many years to come no one comes .......

I thought the same Faro .... what if the nice funeral director has done a bunk when your nearest and dearest has just popped off.

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