Funeral costs jump 40 percent in ten years; Now costs over €10,000 on average

Burials and cremations have become 40 percent more expensive over the past decade. That is 9 percent above inflation, NOS reports based on figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS). In 2017, the average funeral cost 7,500 euros. Now, the average price is over 10,000 euros.

According to funeral director Lotte Wieling, who organizes cremations and burials in Enschede and the surrounding area, there are ways for people to get away with less money spent, but a large proportion of the costs is unavoidable.

“In the Netherlands, the deceased must be enclosed, such as in a coffin or a basket,” Weiling explained. “That costs money, of course. Burial or cremation is only permitted here after 36 hours. In the meantime, the deceased lies in a state at a funeral home or at home. This incurs cooling costs.”

“There are grave costs if you want to be buried, but the crematorium also charges a fee. Then there’s the death certificate. So you start with a few thousand euros. And that doesn’t even include the farewell.”

Then there are specific price increases that made funerals more expensive, she continued. “Take, for example, the price of gas, which makes cremations more expensive,” Wieling said. ”The same thing has happened with the price of wood for coffins. The aging population has led to increased pressure. As a result, not only do people have to wait longer for the funeral, but they also have to lie in state longer.”

Many Netherlands residents have funeral insurance, but the amounts are often far from sufficient. “It is sometimes truly heartbreaking to see. People were told a long time ago that they were well-insured for 3,000 euros or 4,000 euros, and they haven’t looked back since,” Wieling said. “While nowadays, that amount is nowhere near enough for their wishes. That just a reception after a farewell for about a hundred people costs 1,500 to 2,000 euros? Most have no idea.”

There are a few ways to save on costs, Wieling told the broadcaster. “A memorial service at home is a good example, but you could also choose not to use bouquets and instead ask everyone to bring a single flower.” You can also save with the death announcement. “An obituary is incredibly expensive; instead, you can create a digital condolence card that you share on social media. This way, it’s all relatively affordable, but still personal.”