Funeral Costs In The World: Top 15 Most Expensive Places To Die
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| Top 15 Most Expensive Places To Die In The World |
The “cost of dying” is rising faster than inflation, with typical cremation and burial fees jumping by at least 5% in a year, and some locations seeing increases of up to 68%. That’s just one of the findings of a study which also reveals that it’s not just houses and pints of beer that cost more in London than anywhere else in the UK – it’s also the most expensive place to be buried. These increases will put even more of a squeeze on the budgets of the bereaved, some of whom will struggle to meet the bills.
Overall, the average funeral costs between $7,000 and $12,000, the insurance company notes. But those are only a fraction of the price of the most expensive cemeteries and grave plots in the world.
New research from SunLife, the over 50’s life insurance provider, has revealed which are the most expensive countries across the world to die in when compared to the respective cost of living and earnings.
Based on available data gathered by its research team, the figures revealed that Japan is the most expensive place on the planet to die, with the cost of burial or cremation costing just over two-thirds of the average salary, followed by China, which costs on average just below half of the yearly wage. Germany is the most expensive European country to die in, but it sits far below the costs of China and Japan at only 16% cost of your overall salary.
According to the research, the average cost of a Japanese funeral is around 3 million Yen (approximately $27,900*), more than two-thirds of the annual average salary in the country which equates to around $40,863 according to the latest figures from the OECD Better Life Index.
Germany is the most expensive European country to die, but it sits far below the costs of the more expensive Asian countries, China and Japan at only 16% cost of your overall salary.
Not everywhere in Asia is expensive to die, however, with the cost of dying in India just a mere 2% of an average salary. Based on the research, the lowest percentage of salary spent on the average funeral was in Russia (1.3%), Poland (2.3%), and Denmark (2.4%). The top 15 most expensive countries are listed below:
List of Top 15 Most Expensive Places To Die In The World
1. Japan
2. China
3. Germany
4. South Africa
5. The Netherlands
6. The United Kingdom
7. New Zealand
8. The United States of America
9. Portugal
10. Croatia
11. Ireland
12. France
13. Argentina
14. Finland
15. Belgium
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What Are The Most Expensive Places To Die In The World?
1. Japan
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| Photo: savvytokyo |
Average Funeral Cost (Local Currency): 3,000,000 Yen
The most expensive place in the world for funerals is Japan where it costs an average $30,970 (£22,230) per person. his average is at least five times the average of United States' funeral costs, which has an average of 444,000 yen ($4,183) per funeral.
This is 68.3% of the average annual salary. Every year about 1.1 million Japanese people die and the goodbye process has three important steps: the wake, the ceremony itself, and the cremation. One of the reasons that funerals are so costly is because, while traditionally tasks were carried out by members of the dead person's local community, now they're outsourced to pricey third-party vendors.
About 1.5 percent spent more than 3.8 million yen on crematory and ceremony fees. On average, approximately 1.19 million yen was used on funeral services.
In a customary procedure of funeral services in Japan, a vigil takes place on the first day, and a funeral ceremony followed by cremation is performed on the second day.
2. China
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| Photo: strategy4china |
Average Funeral Cost (Local Currency): 37,375 Yuan
In China, most funeral expenses go towards a grave, which accounts for almost 90% of the total cost. The Kunming Jinlong Ruyi Park Cemetery faced a fierce backlash when it announced plans to offer 10-year mortgages to cover the cost of graves. Almost 11 million people die in China every year and the average resident spends $5,891 on saying goodbye. This is the equivalent of almost half of the average annual salary.
According to Bloomberg, citing data from Fu Shou Yuan International Group, China's largest publicly traded operator of cemeteries and funeral facilities, the cost of an average burial plot has soared 41% to $14,800 since the middle of 2015, outpacing the growth of 23% in home prices as measured by China's National Bureau of Statistics.
Per square meter, the average plot price stood at about $16,540 in 2017, more than double the $8,260 per square meter average it cost to buy an apartment in Shenzhen, China's most expensive housing market.
3. Germany
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| Photo: dailymail |
Average Funeral Cost (Local Currency): 6,880 Euros
Germans have learned to get creative when it comes to avoiding expensive funerals. One increasingly popular way to save money is to donate the body to science. It's become so popular in fact that some institutes are forced to turn away corpses. A more traditional goodbye will cost the average person $8,670 (£6,246).
The average German funeral costs €5,000 ($6,100), about double the average monthly income. And with one-third of German households already in debt, many people are hard-pressed to shoulder the financial burden when a family member dies. Social welfare recipients can apply for the state to assume the costs.
4. South Africa
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| Photo: sowetanlive |
Average Funeral Cost (Local Currency): 26,875 South African Rand
New research has revealed that South Africa is the fourth most expensive country to die in, with the cost of burial or cremation accounting for 13% of the average annual salary.
This comes as part of SunLife’s Cost of Dying International research, which has calculated the average cost of a funeral in South Africa is around R26 875. According to StatsSA, the average worker is paid around R270 000 per year.
Based on available data gathered by the life insurance provider’s research team, the average cost of dying across the world is around 10% of the average individual salary.
5. The Netherlands
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| Photo: timesknowledge |
Average Funeral Cost (Local Currency): 6,000 Euros
The death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) in the Netherlands was reported at 8.8 % in 2019, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Netherlands - Death rate, crude - actual values, historical data, forecasts, and projections were sourced from the World Bank in December of 2021. Because funerals are expensive in the Netherlands, just over 60% of Dutch households have insurance specifically designed to cover the cost. Graves are rented for 10 or 20 years at a time and if your family can't afford to pay after that, remains are moved to a mass grave. Families will spend around $7,532 on a funeral, which is equal to almost 13% of the average annual salary.
6. The United Kingdom
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| Photo: funeralcostshelp |
Average Funeral Cost (Local Currency): 4,417 Great British Pound
We’ve seen a rise in the average cost of dying. It’s now the highest it’s ever been, at £9,263 (+0.8% since 2019).
However, this is a small rise compared to previous years. In fact, this year's increase is the lowest we’ve seen since our research began in 2004.
In the report, we look at how funerals have changed this year – including the impact of COVID-19, the types of funerals being chosen, and the changing trends in funerals.
According to life insurance provider SunLife, the price of the average UK funeral has more than doubled since 2004 when a basic funeral would have cost around $2,547 (£1,835). Now, Brits are spending on average $6,131 (£4,417), which is around 12.6% of the average annual salary.
 Funeral Costs In The UK: 10 Most Expensive Places To Die How much does it cost to bury a person in the UK? Which places are the most expensive to die in 2022 - Top 10. |
7. New Zealand
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| Photo: stuff |
Average Funeral Cost (Local Currency): 7,506.50 NZ Dollars
The average funeral in New Zealand costs approximately $10,000, but there's only 5% of New Zealanders that have pre-planned their funerals. The cost of funerals in New Zealand has risen rapidly in the last few years and can cost up to $15,000 per person. Burial plot space is very expensive and there is often a "digging fee" too. The average cost of funerals equates to 12.2% of a New Zealander's annual salary, at about $5,435. The research has found that the average cost of a basic burial in New Zealand is $6,783, while the average cost of a basic cremation in New Zealand is $3,011.
8. The United States of America
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| Photo: news18 |
Average Funeral Cost (Local Currency): 7,289 US Dollars
There are around 2.4 million funerals in the US every year. Traditional burial remains the most popular method but the cost can increase if a state requires a cement vault for bodies. There's a surprising lack of competition in the industry and Service Corporation International made more than $3 billion in revenue in 2018 alone. The average American spends $8,132 on funerals, which is the equivalent of 12.1% of their annual salary.
Using 2020 figures from the National Funeral Directors Association and the CDC, the group looked at the average 'cost of dying' across the U.S. based on the price of end-of-life care, funerals and cremations.
- Hawaii was the priciest state, with end-of-life medical costs topping $23,073, the average funeral adding up to $14,478 and the average cost of cremation coming in at $12,095. All that comes to a whopping average cost of dying of $36,124.
- Mississippi is the cheapest place to die, with an average cost of about $15,516.
CDC figures show the cost of funerals and end-of-life care jumped to $63.8 billion in 2020, up 14.3% from a total of $55.8 billion in 2019, the report points out. When taking all COVID-19 related deaths into consideration, they estimate the COVID-19 pandemic now accounts for $8.1 billion in household costs through April 2021.
 Funeral Costs In America: 10 Most Expensive Places To Die How much does it cost to bury a person in the US for 2022? Which places are the most expensive to die in America? |
9. Portugal
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| Photo: theportugalnews |
Average Funeral Cost (Local Currency): 2,631 Euros
Family is an important part of Portuguese culture so funerals tend to be large affairs. With around 80% of the country being Catholic, most funerals are religious. Such ceremonies can be costly with the average person spending 11.8% of their annual salary on funerals, which is an average of $3,302. A total of 1,664 deaths in Portugal in 2014 were caused by BC, about 3.2% of the overall female deaths in Portugal. The YLL caused by BC in 2014 summed 13,425 representing 6.2% of YLL in the female population of the country.
For 2014 the YLD estimated were 9,667. The total disease burden attributable to female BC is thus estimated at 23,092 DALY. The direct cost attributed to BC was €146.1 million, about 1.4% of all Portuguese health expenditures. The indirect costs added up to €163.3 million, reflecting the relative youth of women with BC. The economic burden of BC is substantial, totaling € 309 million, about 0.18% of Portuguese GDP.
10. Croatia
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| Photo: blessedfunerals |
Average Funeral Cost (Local Currency): 8,400 Kuna
In Varaždin you will have to spend at least 5,050 Kuna on a funeral. This is the minimum price of the burial service itself, which includes coffins, flowers, death notice, and burial music. There is no gravesite included in this price. The minimum price of burials in Zagreb and Split is about 5,500 kuna.
Prices in all towns increase substantially if a grave has to be bought. If you buy it at the last minute, the price will be even higher, and the final amount also depends on whether you are planning to buy a regular grave or a concrete tomb. Prices of graves are roughly the same, ranging from 1,000 to 4,500 kuna, except in Rijeka, where residents living in the town for more than 15 years get them for free. Stone tombs are more expensive but can take in more coffins. The cheapest tomb at Zagreb's Mirogoj Cemetery is 80,000 kuna. In Split, a similar tomb costs about 12,000 Kuna, while in Varaždin a partially concrete tomb costs up to 20,000 Kuna. The burial itself is cheapest in Dubrovnik, where it costs around 5,000 Kuna. At the town cemetery in Karlovac, a burial is 5,400 kuna, while in Rijeka it is 5,280 kuna.
The main reason why graves are so expensive is the fact that cemeteries do not have anywhere to expand, because they are surrounded by residential areas. Unfortunately, that will not change soon, and the price of graves will surely grow even higher.
11. Ireland
Average Funeral Cost (Local Currency): 4,518.50 Euros
The standard funeral cost is €4,062 (and covers Removal and Care of the Deceased, Embalming, Removal to Church / Cemetery, Hearse, Funeral Directors Fee and Coffin but excludes “disbursements”; items such as Church Offering, Priest, Music, Obituary Notice - more details can be found below - and the cost of a burial plot or cremation service)
The highest price quoted to researchers for a standard funeral was €6,310 in Co. Tipperary
The highest average funeral costs were €5,000 in counties Sligo and Clare while the lowest of €3,408 was recorded for Co. Wexford
A nationwide high cost of €32,000 was quoted for a double plot at a graveyard in Deansgrange Dublin (the same sized plot in Shanganagh, Dublin was quoted at €5,600, again reflecting considerable geographic differences in pricing)
Cremation costs were highest in Cork at €770, behind Dublin at €682 - with the lowest in Galway at €527
12. France
Average Funeral Cost (Local Currency): 3,900.50 Euros
Funeral costs in France average nearly €4,000, but there are significant variations between parlors and across the country. The funeral business in France today is worth €2.25 billion, double the size of 20 years ago.
A recent survey carried out by consumer body UFC-Que Choisir reveals that burial services, not including the plot, cost on average €3,815. That is an increase of 14% over 2014 and is more than three times the rate of inflation over the same period.
The study noted that not only was the increase significant, but there were substantial differences in prices between funeral parlors.
Whilst the cheapest quote for burial was €1,269, the most expensive was €7,515, highlighting the importance of requesting multiple quotes before opting for one company.
Prices also varied depending upon where you live, with prices in Nouvelle-Aquitaine averaging €3,483, rising to €4,882 in the Île-de-France.
The study also found there were large differences between certain elements of the service. With some companies, the opening and closing of the grave could cost between €95 and €880, whilst a simple oak wood coffin was as low as €490 but as high as €1,576.
There are also taxes to pay, which are set by the department, ranging from €30 to €107.
13. Argentina
Average Funeral Cost (Local Currency): 51,750 Argentine Pesos
According to a local funeral home, Cocheria Tacuari The cheapest service offered is a cremation without a wake, which costs 25,000 pesos (roughly $415 US), which is almost 50 percent more than the minimum wage of 16,875 pesos ($ 281 US) a month.
Which makes the, 78.5% cremation rate not only the highest number seen in the last decade but unsurprising. Juan Tapia from Cocheria Tacuari says paying for a funeral “means, for a family, that they might not eat this month,” said Tapia.
Rents at public cemeteries in Buenos Aires, including maintenance, range from 400 to 2,000 ($7- 30 US) pesos a month. In the private sector, plots sell for a minimum of 55,000 pesos ($918 USD) with monthly maintenance from 500 pesos ($8 USD). Costs that the members of the public can no longer afford.
Many tombs have been abandoned and overgrown with vegetation. Some have broken statues, and there are niches that have been completely destroyed. In some, the bones inside are visible. Tapia says “It’s an economic problem. People don’t have enough money to pay for a service. Family members help each other, ask for loans; some come and pay with US dollars that they’ve saved or kept under the mattress.”
14. Finland
Average Funeral Cost (Local Currency): 3,500 Euros
The average cost of a funeral in Finland is $4,405. Traditionally, Finnish families would bury their dead in wooden boxes. Now, around 85% of people are cremated due to a lack of burial space in cities such as Helsinki. For those that do decide to have a traditional burial, families can rent cemetery spots for 25 years at a time. The cost for cremation and disposition of ashes in Finland is approximately 1,700 euros. 2,400 euros or approximately 2,700 euros to the West Coast. approximately 100 euros (total 1,800euros).
A grave space, a grave marker, and opening/closing the grave can easily cost another $1,500 to $2,500 in Finland. Therefore, a typical traditional funeral and burial cost is likely at least $9,000.
Depending upon the quality of the casket, burial vault, and other merchandise selected, a traditional funeral and burial cost could be less than $5,000 or exceed $10,000. If no services to commemorate the deceased are desired, a direct burial or direct cremation can be arranged for under $1,000.
15. Belgium
Average Funeral Cost (Local Currency): 3,500 Euros
If burial or cremation is to take place outside of Belgium the funeral parlor will make many of the arrangements. However, the initial registration of the death follows exactly the same procedures as those outlined above. Whoever reports the death must then state that the body is to be repatriated so that documentation can be prepared.
Belgians spend on average 9.1% of their annual salary on funerals, around $5,026. They also tend to be religious as 65% of the population is Christian. But one of the more unusual traditions is that, while it's common for bunches of flowers to be given as gifts to a grieving family, mourners must make sure to never give 13 blooms, as that would be bad luck.
What is the cost of dying and how has it changed?The ‘cost of dying’ figure is the total cost of a person’s funeral – including professional fees, the funeral service, and optional extras like the wake or gathering. Our latest research has seen the cost of dying to reach an all-time high of £9,263. That’s 0.8% up since the previous year and a rise of 39% in the last decade. Why has the cost of dying risen so much?The main reason why the cost of dying is so high is a rise in funeral costs. A basic funeral in the UK now costs £4,184 on average, which makes up 45.2% of the total cost of dying. |
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