Funeral Plans for Expats in Spain: Costs & Cover Levels
↓ Jump to Frequently Asked QuestionsFuneral plans for expats in Spain (seguro de decesos) from Generali — cover all funeral expenses, burial or cremation, headstone and repatriation costs directly with the funeral home, so your family has nothing to pay and nothing to arrange at the worst possible moment. Spanish funerals happen within 24–48 hours of death and cost €3,500–€12,000; a decesos policy is the only product that pays the funeral home directly in real time. No medical questions, entry up to age 69, immediate cover for accidental death and repatriation to the UK, Ireland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Germany, France or any country of origin. English-speaking agents in Javea covering the Costa Blanca, Costa Cálida and all of Spain.
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📊 Compare funeral insurance in Spain across the five main insurers →
Answered by Turner Insurance Specialists — exclusive Generali agents in Spain since 2007, based in Javea (Alicante). Talk to a real adviser in English: 966 461 625.
Funeral Plans for Expats in Spain — Key Points
- Covers all funeral costs in Spain, plus repatriation to your home country.
- Entry up to age 69, and no medical questions to take out a policy.
- Removes the unexpected cost and admin that catch families out at a difficult time.
- Arranged in English by authorised Generali agents in Javea.
- Free, no-obligation quote — same business-day reply.
Spanish Insurance Law: Funeral Insurance. Key Facts, Limits & Exclusions
The legal framework, waiting periods, exclusions and sources every buyer should know. We link the sources inline to the BOE (Boletín Oficial del Estado) and the 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.
In practice, Decesos policies act as pre paid funeral plans: through pre planning the service and locking in today's prices, the policy removes the financial burden from grieving family members when the time comes. Generali pays the funeral home directly, so the family is not asked to advance several thousand euros at the worst possible moment.
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
- All administrative and legal paperwork — including registration with the Civil Registry under Ley 20/2011 del Registro Civil
Repatriation Decesos plans also cover international transport. This includes embalming to ICAO standard, a hermetically-sealed coffin, customs paperwork and ground transport at the destination.
Maximum entry age and medical questions
Generali’s Protección Familiar decesos policy accepts new applicants up to actuarial age 69 at the start date (Article 19 of the policy conditions), with older applicants accepted only by specific agreement — and there are no medical questions at any entry age. Some other Spanish providers, such as Santalucía and Ocaso, advertise entry to age 70 or 75, sometimes via 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: level, mixed and single premium
The Generali conditions offer three premium modes. Level (nivelada) premiums stay constant for a given sum insured — they move only when the capital is index-revalued each year. Mixed (mixta) premiums follow the insured's actuarial age at each renewal up to age 74, then stay constant; for insureds under 60 at the start the premium is held fixed for the first three years. Single-premium (prima única) plans charge a one-off lump sum (€1,800–€4,500 typical) which settles the funeral guarantee for the life of the contract with nothing further to pay. Mid-year cancellation does not generally refund premiums already paid.
Waiting period (carencia)
Article 20 of the Generali conditions sets a 20-day waiting period from each insured’s joining date for the funeral, death-assistance, additional-capital, family-assistance and repatriation guarantees (12 months for the death-assistance services where the funeral guarantee is taken as a single premium). All waiting periods are waived where the death results from an accident.
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.
What a Spanish Decesos Funeral Plan Includes
A Spanish decesos funeral plan coordinates and provides the funeral service itself 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 whatever your 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 for spreading the cost
- Maximum age to start: 69 (older applicants only by agreement with Generali)
- Choice of premium modes: level, age-banded to 74 (then constant) or one-off single premium
- One-off single premium option also available
Optional Extras
- Pet funeral services — collection and cremation
- 24-hour veterinary helpline included
- Veterinary treatment vouchers
- Increase capital to also include a life insurance death benefit
How to Get a Quote
We make getting a quote simple and fast.
- 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 (09:30–14:00 in July and August).
- Tell us your situation. We will ask a few quick questions. What do you need to cover? Your age, your location, and any policies you already hold.
- We compare options — as authorised Generali agents, we present the plans that match your needs and budget. No pressure, no obligation.
- Your policy is set up — once you are happy, we arrange everything and send your certificate and English-language policy documents promptly.
Funeral Plans in Spain: The Cover Levels
Because decesos asks no medical questions, it is often still arrangeable when medically underwritten cover is not — the standard Generali entry limit is age 69, with older applicants considered only by agreement. For the position at 75-plus, see our guide to healthcare in Spain for pensioners and the over-75s.
In UK terms, decesos is the closest thing Spain has to whole-of-life cover — our guide to term vs whole-of-life insurance in Spain sets the two side by side.
| 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 |
| Mayores de 69 (por acuerdo) | All Premium benefits above the standard entry age of 69, subject to specific agreement with Generali — health still not assessed | Older applicants or those with health conditions |
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How Much Does a Funeral Plan Cost in Spain?
Costs vary based on your circumstances.
Funeral plan costs in Spain 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. Set that against what the funeral itself costs when nobody has planned for it: €3,500–€6,000 for a straightforward burial or cremation on the Costa Blanca, and €7,000–€12,000+ once repatriation to the UK or Ireland is involved — payable by the family within days. A monthly plan from €15 spreads that over a lifetime; a single premium of roughly €1,800–€4,500 settles it in one payment. As a general guide:
- Age 40–50: approximately €20–€35/month on a regular premium plan
- Age 50–60: approximately €30–€55/month on a regular premium plan
- Age 60–70: approximately €45–€80/month on a regular premium plan
- Single premium: one-off payment option available — contact us for a personalised quote
- On the mixed (age-banded) tariff the premium stops rising at actuarial age 74 and stays constant from then on
Looking specifically for the cheapest funeral plan in Spain? The next section covers what actually moves the premium.
Cheapest Funeral Plan in Spain: How to Pay Less
Searching for the cheapest funeral plan in Spain? Four things decide what you pay:
- Skip repatriation if you don't need it. The single biggest saving: a Spain-only burial or cremation plan starts from around €15/month, while adding repatriation of the body to the UK or Ireland takes it to around €25/month. If you and your family are settled here, Spain-only is the cheapest sensible option.
- Join younger. Premiums are set by your age at application and are fixed at inception — a plan taken out at 50 stays cheaper than the same plan taken out at 65, for life.
- Choose a level (fixed) premium. A "natural premium" policy looks cheaper in year one but rises every year as you age; over a retirement in Spain a level premium almost always works out cheaper. See our comparison of funeral insurance in Spain across the five main insurers for how each one structures this.
- Don't judge on price alone. The cheapest quote is worthless if the provider network can't deliver the funeral your family expects, in English, where you live. Cover levels, provider networks and repatriation terms differ — compare like for like.
Our Cheapest Funeral Plan Option in Spain
The cheapest funeral plan in Spain we can arrange is the Spain-only decesos tier. It starts from €15 a month. It pays the funeral home directly for a burial or cremation here in Spain. Add UK or Ireland repatriation and the starting point moves to around €25 a month. A couple's plan starts from €40 a month. One contract covers two adult lives, so it usually costs less than two separate policies.
Cheap Funeral Insurance in Spain. Is It Good Value?
Funeral cover in Spain is genuinely affordable next to a UK funeral plan. But cheap funeral insurance is only a bargain if it delivers. Ask three questions before you buy on price. Does the insurer's funeral home network reach your town? Is the claims line answered in English? Does the plan cover repatriation, if your family would want it? A low-cost plan that fails on any of those costs your family far more later. Value for money here means the right cover at the lowest sensible premium.
And remember: with a Generali decesos plan the lifetime cost is predictable by design — level premiums stay flat, mixed premiums stop rising at age 74, and a single premium settles it once — certainty UK-style funeral plans rarely match.
Prepaid Funeral Plans vs Spanish Funeral Insurance
If you're moving from the UK you may be used to prepaid funeral plans — paying a funeral director a lump sum (or instalments) today for a funeral delivered later. In Spain the equivalent is decesos insurance: instead of pre-paying one provider, a modest monthly premium spreads the cost of your funeral over time, and the insurer arranges and pays for the whole service — and all the final expenses that come with it — whenever it is needed.
A UK prepaid plan normally pays for a funeral with a UK funeral director, so it is of limited practical use for a funeral held in Spain. A Spanish decesos policy works the other way around: it delivers the funeral here, where you live, with English-speaking coordination — and the repatriation option covers you if your family would prefer a UK funeral after all. If you like the prepaid approach of paying once and being done, the single-premium decesos option works much the same way: one payment, cover for life. For the full story — including what happened to families when an unregulated prepaid provider collapsed, and a line-by-line comparison of the two products — read our guide to prepaid funeral plans vs funeral insurance in Spain.
Funeral Plan or Life Insurance in Spain. Which Do I Need?
The answer depends on your situation.
Many expats need both. A funeral plan 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, entry up to age 69:
- All funeral arrangements covered
- Burial or cremation
- Spanish death certificates & notary
- Wake (velatorio) provision
- No medical questions
- Everything in Spain-only plan
- Repatriation of body to UK / Ireland
- Embalming & coffin to international standard
- All certifications & paperwork
- Family transport contribution
- 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 About Spanish Funeral Plans
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, Irish, Dutch and Northern-European nationals.
More questions? Contact us for free English-speaking advice — or call 966 461 625.
New to Spanish cover? Our guide to insurance in Spain for expats explains how protection policies, beneficiaries and claims work under Spanish law, and the Spanish insurance glossary defines the terms used in the policy documents.
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 — pay once, covered for life | 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:
- Dirección General de Seguros y Fondos de Pensiones (DGS). Spanish insurance regulator. Confirms registration of insurance brokers (Andrew Turner: Registry C0467B54657010) and authorises all insurance products distributed in Spain.
- Ley 50/1980. Ley de Contrato de Seguro (BOE). Spanish Insurance Contract Law. The primary legal framework governing all insurance contracts in Spain — defines duties, claims, cancellation rights and disclosure obligations.
Give Your Family Peace of Mind
FREE ENGLISH-SPEAKING ADVICE · MOST CLIENTS QUOTED WITHIN A FEW DAYS
Cancellation rights. Annual contracts auto-renew under Ley 50/1980 Article 22. Cancellation requires at least one month's written notice before renewal.