Best funeral insurance in Spain for expats
If you live in Spain and come from another country, you've probably already had to deal with a fair amount of paperwork: healthcare, taxes, residency admin... But there's something that almost nobody thinks about when they move abroad: what happens when someone dies.
Without any insurance in place, the family is suddenly faced with bureaucratic processes in another language, very tight deadlines (funerals in Spain typically take place within 24 to 48 hours) and costs that can run into several thousand euros. If the body also needs to be repatriated to the country of origin, that figure can multiply quickly.
Funeral insurance exists precisely to avoid all of that. In this article, we explain what it is, how it works in Spain, and what you need to consider when choosing the best option as a foreign resident.
What is funeral insurance?
Funeral insurance is a policy that covers the costs and administrative arrangements arising from the death of the policyholder. The insurer takes direct responsibility for organising and paying for the funeral services (coffin or urn, wake, transportation of the body, burial or cremation, and the death certificate and related paperwork) so that your family doesn't have to worry about a thing at such a difficult time.
More comprehensive policies go considerably further, offering services such as psychological support for family members, digital footprint deletion, travel assistance, and will-writing services.
💡 Good to know
You may not be familiar with this type of insurance, or it may simply not exist in your home country in the same form. In Spain, however, the sector is highly developed, with specialist companies and a wide range of policies available.
To give you an idea of just how embedded it is in Spanish culture: according to the latest data from Unespa (2024), 45.6% of Spaniards have funeral insurance.
How does funeral insurance work in Spain?
In Spain, funeral insurance doesn't pay out a cash sum when someone dies: instead, it manages and provides services directly through its own network of funeral homes. This means you don't have to negotiate prices or pay anything upfront. You make one phone call, and the insurer takes care of everything.
Another important factor to bear in mind is that funerals in Spain take place much more quickly than in many other countries (typically within 24 to 48 hours of the death). Having insurance already in place removes the stress of making decisions, sourcing quotes, or dealing with paperwork under time pressure.
Many policies also allow the entire family unit to be covered under a single premium, which can be particularly practical for expat families.
Funeral insurance vs. burial insurance: what's the difference?
If you've been searching for information about this topic, you've probably come across two different terms. Funeral insurance covers the full range of funeral services (transportation, the wake, administrative formalities, and everything surrounding the death). Burial insurance, on the other hand, refers more specifically to the cost of the interment or burial itself.
In Spain, funeral insurance encompasses both concepts and goes further still: it covers legal formalities, family assistance, and in many policies, international repatriation, which is a particularly important consideration for foreign residents.
What does funeral insurance cover?
The cover provided by a funeral insurance policy varies depending on the insurer and the plan chosen, but most standard contracts include the following: coffin or urn, wake, transportation to the place of burial or cremation, and the management of the death certificate and related administrative paperwork.
Beyond the basics, more comprehensive policies include cover that is especially relevant for foreign residents in Spain. The most important is repatriation: transporting the body to the country of origin, including international transport and, in some cases, travel for a family member to accompany the deceased.
💡 Good to know
This cover is not always included in standard packages, so it's worth checking carefully before signing anything.
Do foreigners need funeral insurance in Spain?
No, there is no legal obligation to take out funeral insurance in Spain. However, for foreign residents, not having it can make an already difficult situation considerably harder.
Without insurance, your family will have to find an undertaker at short notice, manage all the administrative formalities in Spanish, and cover the costs upfront , which in Spain can be in the region of €4,000. If you also wish to be repatriated to your home country, costs can rise considerably.
In short, it's not compulsory, but it is one of the most practical decisions you can make as an expat. Below, we share the options we believe are best suited to your needs.
Our recommendations: the best funeral insurance in Spain for expats
Choosing the right funeral insurance as a foreign resident in Spain is not the same as choosing it as a Spanish national. Two criteria make all the difference: repatriation cover included at no extra cost, and an insurer with experience handling international cases. These are the two policies we believe are best suited to that situation.
1. DKV Protección Familiar
DKV is the most straightforward option on the market for foreign residents in Spain. Unlike other insurers, it includes repatriation to the country of origin and a return flight for an accompanying family member at no additional cost. This isn't an optional add-on (it's included from day one).
There are no waiting periods, meaning cover is effective from the moment you take out the policy. The plan also includes a wide range of additional benefits: psychological support, legal advice, administrative assistance, an online will service, and digital footprint deletion.
Best for: foreign residents of any nationality who want repatriation cover guaranteed, with no small print.
2. Europea Seguros
Europea Seguros is a specialist funeral insurance company with over 65 years of experience in the sector. Its main policy is flexible and explicitly caters for foreign residents who wish to include repatriation cover.
Prices start from 3,08 €/month, making it one of the most competitively priced options on the market. It also includes international travel health insurance with medical expenses cover of up to €15,000 per policyholder, making it particularly appealing for those who travel frequently.
Best for: foreign residents looking for comprehensive cover at a competitive price, backed by a specialist insurer with a long track record.
Mixed premium
From
1,69
euros/month
DKV Protección Familiar
- Funeral service
- Repatriation to your country of origin
- Family assistance
- Psychological support
- Worldwide medical assistance
- Digital footprint deletion
- Online will service
Age-related premium
From
3,08
euros/month
Europea Seguros Asistencia Familiar
- Complete funeral arrangement service
- Full management of paperwork and documentation
- 24/7 assistance
- Transfer or repatriation of the deceased
- Psychological support
- Travel assistance insurance
- Access to specialist medical network
How to choose the best funeral insurance in Spain
These are the key criteria to consider before taking out a policy:
- The first, and most important for foreign residents , is international repatriation cover. Check whether it's included in the base policy or whether it needs to be added as an optional extra. Also check whether it covers the transportation of the body only, or whether it also includes travel for an accompanying family member and the management of consular formalities.
- The second is support in your own language. In a moment of crisis, having to manage everything in Spanish can be overwhelming. Before signing up, ask specifically whether the insurer offers telephone assistance in English or other languages.
- The third is family cover. If you have a partner or children, check whether the policy allows them to be included under a single premium. This is usually more cost-effective than taking out individual policies and simplifies the process considerably.
- The fourth is the age at which you take out the policy. Some insurers have age limits for policies with periodic premiums. If you are over 65 or 70, ask about single-premium options.
- It's also worth understanding the different premium structures on offer:
- With an age-related premium, your monthly payments start low but increase each year as you get older.
- With a mixed premium, the cost starts low and gradually levels off.
- With a level premium, you pay a fixed amount throughout the life of the policy.
- And if you're over 70, some insurers offer a single premium option (one upfront payment that covers you for life).
- Finally, always read the small print. Pay particular attention to waiting periods, exclusions, and coverage limits for international destinations. A cheap policy that doesn't cover repatriation to the country you need is no use at all.
FAQS Funeral insurance in Spain
How much does funeral insurance cost in Spain?
The cost of funeral insurance in Spain depends primarily on two factors: the age of the policyholder at the time of taking out the cover, and the benefits included in the policy.
Some insurers offer policies from under €4 per month for younger people with basic cover. For older policyholders, or more comprehensive policies that include repatriation, the price may be higher.
The most reliable approach is to request a personalised funeral insurance quote, as costs also vary depending on the province of residence and the number of people included in the policy.
What happens if I die in Spain without funeral insurance?
Without insurance in place, the entire burden of managing the death falls on the family, who will have to cover all costs upfront (in Spain, the average cost of a funeral is €4.500).
If the deceased also wished to be repatriated to their home country, the logistical and administrative costs can multiply significantly.
Not having funeral insurance in Spain has no legal consequences, but it can place a very significant financial and emotional burden on those left behind.