> >

Funeral Insurance in Spain

↓ Jump to Frequently Asked Questions

Funeral insurance Spain (seguro de decesos) from Generali — covers all funeral and cremation costs directly, so your family has nothing to pay or arrange. No medical questions, no age limit, repatriation to UK, Ireland, Netherlands or Belgium included. English-speaking agents in Javea.

Get a Free Quote →
By Andrew Turner · In insurance since 2001, exclusive Generali agent since 2007 · DGS Registry C0467B54657010 · Last reviewed May 2026
Quick Answer. Funeral Insurance in Spain
Mandatory?No — but strongly recommended for expats
Typical premium€15–€40 / month
Medical questions?None
Repatriation cover?Yes — to UK or Ireland
Maximum entry ageNone — accepted at any age

Spanish Insurance Law: Funeral Insurance. Key Facts, Limits & Exclusions

The legal framework, specific waiting periods, exclusions and citations every prospective policyholder should know. Sources are linked inline to the BOE (Boletín Oficial del Estado) and Spanish regulators.

Legal framework

Funeral insurance (seguro de decesos) is governed by Ley 50/1980 Article 8 and is a fully voluntary product — there is no legal requirement to hold it. Spain has the highest penetration of funeral insurance in Europe: per ICEA data, more than 25 million Spaniards hold a Decesos policy, reflecting the country's tradition of pre-paid funeral arrangements.

What a Spanish funeral costs and timeline

A Spanish funeral typically takes place within 24–48 hours of death. Spain has limited refrigeration capacity for deceased and a long-standing cultural preference for prompt burial or cremation. Without a Decesos plan, an unplanned funeral on the Costa Blanca costs typically €3,500–€6,000 (Spain-only, basic) and €7,000–€12,000+ if repatriation to the UK or Ireland is needed. Decesos plans pay these costs directly to the funeral home, sparing the family payment at the time of bereavement.

What is covered — the standard service

A standard Decesos plan covers the full network-provider service:

  • Collection of the deceased (tanatorio)
  • Preparation
  • Embalming and casket
  • Velatorio (wake) facilities
  • Religious or civil ceremony coordination
  • Burial OR cremation
  • Certified copies of the death certificate

cemetery fees for a basic niche or grave; and all administrative and legal paperwork (registration with the Civil Registry under Ley 20/2011 del Registro Civil). Repatriation Decesos plans also include international transport including embalming to ICAO standard, hermetically-sealed coffin, customs paperwork and ground transport at destination.

Maximum entry age and medical questions

Most Spanish Decesos providers — including Generali, Santalucía and Ocaso — accept new applicants up to age 70 or 75 without medical questions. After age 75 some providers offer a plan limitado with a 2- to 3-year qualifying period for natural causes (immediate cover for accidents from day one).

The lack of a medical questionnaire is unique among Spanish life-and-death insurance products and reflects the actuarial calculation that the average policyholder pays in for many years before any claim.

Premium structures and the"paid-up" age 90 rule

Two premium structures dominate. Monthly-premium plans charge a small monthly amount (€15–€40 typical) that increases gradually with age; if you reach age 90 the policy is generally paid up and you contribute nothing further. Single-premium (prima única) plans charge a one-off lump sum (€1,800–€4,500 typical) which buys lifetime cover with no further payments — best value for committed long-term residents in their fifties or sixties. Mid-year cancellation does not generally refund premiums already paid.

Claim notification and the seven-day rule

Under Ley 50/1980 Article 16, the family or executor must notify the insurer within seven days — in practice within 24 hours, since the funeral happens fast. Notification is by phone to a 24/7 line; the insurer arranges everything from that point. Documents needed at notification: the deceased's NIE/DNI, their policy number (or any policy reference), the family contact and the medical death certificate. Most Spanish funeral insurers operate networks of 1,200+ funeral homes nationwide.

Funeral Insurance Policy in Spain

Funeral insurance Spain coordinates and provides funeral services when an insured person passes away. It covers funeral costs only — so your family is not left with unexpected expenses. Our policies are provided by Generali Spain.

Key Points

  • Cover regardless of age or existing health conditions
  • All funeral, burial or cremation costs covered in Spain
  • Repatriation to home country arranged and covered
  • All legal and administrative paperwork handled
  • English-speaking staff throughout the entire process
  • Regular premium: monthly, quarterly, bi-annual or annual payment options
  • Maximum age to start: under 70 years old
  • Pay until age 90 — then cover continues completely free of charge
  • One-off single premium option also available

Optional Extras

Note: Funeral insurance covers funeral costs only. For a lump-sum death benefit to your family, see our Life Insurance →

How to Get a Quote

We make getting a quote simple and fast.

  1. Call or email us — ring 966 461 625 or email info@turnerinsurance.es. Our English-speaking team is available Monday to Friday, 09:30–15:00.
  2. Tell us your situation — we will ask a few quick questions about what you need to cover, your age, location, and any existing policies you hold.
  3. We compare options — as authorised Generali agents, we present the plans that match your needs and budget. No pressure, no obligation.
  4. Your policy is set up — once you are happy, we arrange everything and send your certificate and English-language policy documents promptly.

Funeral Insurance Cover Levels

Cover level What is included Best for
Básico Full funeral costs in Spain including ceremony, burial or cremation — up to €4,000 Expats who plan to be buried in Spain
Estándar All Básico costs plus repatriation of remains to the UK or Ireland Expats who may wish to be returned home
Premium Complete service including international repatriation, family travel and accommodation Families wanting complete peace of mind
Sin Límite de Edad All Premium benefits with no age limit at point of application — health not assessed Older applicants or those with health conditions

📰 You might also be interested in

Life insurance for expats in Spain: protecting your family's future
❤️ Life Insurance 🏠 Home Insurance 📞 Get a quote

How Much Does Funeral Insurance Cost in Spain?

Costs vary based on your circumstances.

Funeral insurance Spain premiums depend on your age at the time of application — the earlier you start, the lower the monthly premium. Premiums are fixed at inception and do not increase with age once you have taken out the policy. As a general guide:

Funeral Insurance Spain vs Life Insurance. Which Do I Need?

The answer depends on your situation.

Many expats need both. Funeral insurance Spain covers the practical and financial costs of arranging your funeral so your family doesn't have to. Typically €6,000–€15,000 depending on the level of service chosen and whether repatriation to the UK is required.

Life insurance provides a separate lump-sum death benefit (typically €50,000–€200,000) paid directly to your named beneficiaries to cover mortgages, debts, loss of income or inheritance tax. The two products work together: funeral insurance handles the immediate practical costs, life insurance provides long-term financial security for your family. Contact us and we will advise which combination is most appropriate for your situation and budget.

Approximate Funeral Insurance Pricing

Decesos (funeral) plans pay all funeral costs and arrangements directly. No medical questions, no upper age limit:

Most Popular
Spain-only burial / cremation
from €15/mo
  • All funeral arrangements covered
  • Burial or cremation
  • Spanish death certificates & notary
  • Wake (velatorio) provision
  • No medical questions
Spain + UK repatriation
from €25/mo
  • Everything in Spain-only plan
  • Repatriation of body to UK / Ireland
  • Embalming & coffin to international standard
  • All certifications & paperwork
  • Family transport contribution
Family plan (couple / 2 adults)
from €40/mo
  • Two adult lives covered
  • Spain or repatriation options
  • Significant joint discount
  • Children added free up to 14
  • Single contract, single renewal

Prices shown are typical Spanish market starting points and depend on age, area, cover level and your individual circumstances. Contact us for a free personalised quote. Single-payment lifetime options also available — typically €1,800-€4,500 depending on cover.

Frequently Asked Questions. Funeral Insurance in Spain

These are the most common questions we receive.

Spanish funerals work very differently from UK ones. These answers explain how a Decesos plan actually pays out, the 24-48 hour timeline you should expect, and the repatriation options for British and Irish nationals.

Spanish funerals happen fast — typically within 24-48 hours of death because Spain has limited mortuary capacity and warm weather. Without a plan in place, your family has hours (not days) to make decisions, find a funeral director, choose burial or cremation, pay upfront, and arrange paperwork — all in Spanish. A Decesos plan eliminates all of this: one phone call to the insurer brings a funeral director who handles everything, with no money changing hands by the family.
Spanish funerals are usually held within 24-48 hours, are simpler in format, and involve a velatorio (wake) where the family receives visitors at the tanatorio (funeral home) for a few hours before the burial or cremation. There is normally no church service unless specifically requested. The body is rarely embalmed. Cremation is increasingly popular and faster than burial. Spanish death certificates and the inheritance process all happen via the local Civil Registry and notary.
No. Funeral plans are unique among Spanish insurance in that they require no medical questionnaire and no upper age limit. They are designed to be available to anyone, including pre-existing seriously ill applicants. The trade-off is a typical 6-month carencia (waiting period) at the start of the policy, after which all causes of death are covered.
Yes — repatriation cover is the most popular add-on for British and Irish clients. The plan pays for full international embalming (required by air carriers), a sealed metal-lined coffin, all consular paperwork, transport to a UK or Irish airport, and onward transport to a funeral director at home. Once in the UK or Ireland, the family arranges the local burial or cremation service. Repatriation typically costs €4,000-€8,000 if paid privately — included free with the right plan.
A Spanish funeral arranged through Decesos network providers typically includes collection of the body, the service, coffin, transportation to cemetery or crematorium, the burial plot or cremation, urn or memorial plaque, and all administrative paperwork. The total commercial cost is typically €3,500-€6,000 if paid privately.
Yes — most Decesos plans cover either, and the family makes the choice at the time. Cremation is increasingly popular in Spain because it costs slightly less, takes less time, and removes the eventual issue of plot rental renewal. Some plans have a pre-set choice; others leave it open. We always confirm the plan flexibility before placing cover.
Yes — many British clients prefer to pay a single lifetime premium rather than monthly. A single payment locks in cover for life with no renewals. Indicative single-payment costs: €1,800-€2,800 for Spain-only at age 65; €3,500-€4,500 for Spain + UK repatriation at age 65. These are paid once and the cover never increases or lapses.
Most Decesos plans have no upper age limit at all. Single-payment plans are particularly popular for clients in their 80s and 90s. Monthly-premium plans are usually accepted up to age 80-85, after which only single-payment options remain. Existing serious illness does not prevent acceptance, only the 6-month carencia applies.
No — and this is an important difference from life insurance. The Decesos plan is a service contract: the insurer arranges and pays for the funeral directly. The family does not receive cash and does not pay for the funeral. If the family already arranged the funeral elsewhere (rare, since the plan is the one phoned first), they can claim a fixed reimbursement amount, typically €1,500-€3,000.
There is a single 24/7 emergency phone number on the policy — usually printed on the back of an insurance wallet card. Your family calls that number; the insurer's dedicated funeral team takes over. Within 1-2 hours a funeral director arrives at the home or hospital, collects the body and begins arrangements. Family decisions are limited to: burial or cremation, choice of music, religious service if any, and notifications. Everything else is pre-paid.
No. Life insurance pays a lump sum to named beneficiaries who can use it however they choose. Funeral insurance is a service contract that arranges the funeral itself but does not pay cash. Many of our clients hold both — life insurance for family financial protection, plus a small Decesos plan for the actual funeral arrangements. The two complement each other rather than compete.
Spanish Decesos plans operate through national networks of funeral parlours — the largest is Servisa, linked to the major insurers including Generali. Network coverage is excellent throughout Spain including all of the Costa Blanca. The local funeral director (tanatorio) in Javea, Dénia, Calpe and surrounding towns will be in the network. Outside Spain (e.g. holiday in Italy), repatriation cover handles the international logistics.
Funeral plans paid for during life by the deceased are not part of the estate for Spanish inheritance tax (ISD) purposes — they are pre-paid services. This is a small advantage: a €4,000 funeral cost paid by Decesos does not reduce the estate, whereas a €4,000 cash withdrawal from the bank to pay a private funeral would have done. We are not tax advisers; consult a Spanish gestor for the full picture.
Yes — couple's policies are common and significantly cheaper than two individual policies (typically a 25-30% discount). Children up to age 14 are usually added free. Adult children would need their own separate policy. The contract names each insured life individually, so each life has independent cover regardless of order of death.
Mid-year cancellation of a monthly Decesos plan generally does not refund premiums already paid — they are non-refundable. Single-payment lifetime plans cannot be cancelled for refund after the 30-day cooling-off period. This is why we always recommend monthly-premium for clients uncertain of long-term Spanish residence, and single-payment only for committed long-term residents.
A funeral in Spain typically costs between €3,500 and €8,000 depending on the type (burial or cremation), the local funeral home (tanatorio), headstone, niche rental and administrative costs. Repatriation of remains to the UK, Ireland or the Netherlands adds €3,000–€8,000 on top. Without insurance, families must pay these costs immediately in cash — often within 48–72 hours while dealing with the shock of bereavement. A Generali decesos policy covers all of this directly with the funeral home, with no payment required from the family at any stage.
Yes. Generali decesos insurance in Spain is issued without any medical questionnaire or health examination, regardless of age. This is one of the defining features of Spanish funeral insurance compared to UK life insurance, which requires medical underwriting. The policy is available to anyone of any age, with any health condition. There is a standard waiting period of 12 months for death from natural illness (during which only accidental death is covered), after which full cover applies. Premiums are fixed at inception and do not increase due to health changes.
Yes. Generali decesos includes repatriation of remains to any country in the world, including the UK, Ireland, Netherlands and Belgium. This covers the complete logistics: the tanatorio in Spain, transport by specialist hearse to the airport, air freight arrangements, and reception by a funeral home in the destination country. The family specifies their preferences at claim time. Without insurance, repatriation costs alone are typically €4,000–€8,000. The Generali policy handles all arrangements directly so the family does not need to coordinate across two countries while grieving.

More questions? Visit our complete FAQ centre with 90+ detailed guides, or contact us for free English-speaking advice.

How This Compares to the Competition

Honest comparisons help you make an informed choice. These figures are typical Spanish-market starting points and depend on age, area, cover level and individual circumstances.

Generali Decesos vs Santalucía and Ocaso

How Generali's funeral cover compares to the two market-leading specialist Spanish funeral insurers. Santalucía and Ocaso — both of which have been operating since the 1920s.

Feature Generali Decesos Santalucía Plan Familiar Ocaso Decesos
Maximum new-applicant age Up to 75 Up to 70 Up to 70
Medical questions at application None None Brief screening
Repatriation to UK / Ireland Included on Decesos Plus Included with international add-on Included with international add-on
Network of funeral homes 1,200+ Largest in Spain (3,500+) 2,800+
English-speaking handler Via Turner Insurance Limited Limited
Single-payment option Yes — paid up at age 90 Yes Yes
Monthly premium 60yo Spain-only ~€18/month ~€22/month ~€20/month
Monthly premium 60yo with repatriation ~€32/month ~€38/month ~€35/month

Comparisons are based on publicly available product literature and our experience placing policies across the Spanish market. Premium estimates assume a healthy applicant on the Costa Blanca with no significant claims history. Contact us for a personalised, like-for-like quote.

Sources & References

This page references the following official Spanish regulatory and legal sources. These are the authoritative bodies and laws governing insurance products in Spain:

Give Your Family Peace of Mind

FREE ENGLISH-SPEAKING ADVICE · MOST CLIENTS QUOTED WITHIN A FEW DAYS

Get a Free Quote →📞 966 461 625