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Understanding the Funeral Process in Spain

 Information sponsored by the English Funeral Director.

 
The loss of a loved one is a possibility many of us prefer not to think about when relocating to Spain, but forewarned is forearmed and a basic understanding of the Spanish system can save a lot of heartache if the unthinkable happens unexpectedly.

As with many other situations, the Spanish system varies considerably from what we would expect in the UK and misunderstandings can cause great distress to those who are unaware of the processes and find themselves inadequately informed when bereavement occurs.

This article attempts to explain the Spanish system, advise of the pitfalls which face the bereaved and present the alternatives to those wishing to prepare for the future. 

Introduction

The major differences between the Spanish and English systems.

What is the process if death occurs in the home.

 

The Major differences between the Spanish and English systems.

 

Long term preparation.

 

All Spanish families have funeral plans or funeral insurance. In most cases, the whole family is covered, even the smallest of children, and as a funeral represents a major expense for a family, provisions are made for this in a practical fashion.
Funerals are very expensive, with cash funerals costing considerably more than via a funeral plan. Costs average 3-4,000 euros , and directors will refuse to commit the deceased without full advance payment.
Without adequate provision, this can cause severe problems for those who do not have that amount of cash available immediately to hand.

 

The time scale of the funeral process.

 

Whilst it is common practice in the UK to carry out autopsies, and permit preparation time for a funeral, Spanish law dictates that Spanish nationals must be interred within 72 hours and autopsies are only carried out in extreme circumstances.
Most hospitals do not have storage facilities, and the deceased are collected immediately by the family funeral director and removed to a chapel of rest for the family to pay their respects, from whence they are transferred to the crematorium.
As UK citizens, we are not bound by the same legislation, and can insist on a longer period of time to enable family arrangements to be made, although it is commonplace for a Spanish funeral director to tell bereaved ex-pats that the funeral must take place within the same time scale.
All deaths must be registered by law, within 24 hours.

 

Choice of Funeral Director and location of funeral.

 

Spanish families will generally carry a card stating a preferred funeral director as part of their insurance documentation, but many non-spanish speaking ex-pats have been caught out by a process akin to ambulance chasing, in which they have signed release  paperwork authorizing the transfer of the deceased to a funeral director, believing that the person they spoke to was a member of hospital staff, and not realizing the significance of the paperwork signed.
There are many examples of this having happened.
Some companies have a paid member of staff permanently on site in the larger hospitals to claim any deceased who do not have insurance paperwork, and once the written agreement has been signed, it is virtually impossible to arrange for the deceased to be moved to another location, and the bereaved will have no control over the location of the funeral.
This has caused great distress to many ex-pats who have been forced to make funeral arrangements in the city where death has occurred, rather than close to the home of the deceased.
In these situations, the bereaved are often bewildered by the speed of the process and end up not getting what they really want as matters are out of their control.
It is standard practice for a tanatorio to market funeral plans and insurance, and some will only accept funerals for their own, or specified plans. This is the case in Mazarron; the owner markets his own plans and will only accept funerals from 2 other providers; holders of other policies are sent to Cartagena.

 

The funeral process.

 

A Spanish funeral director will lay out the deceased to enable the family to pay their respects for 24 hours before cremation. It is not normal practice to select preferred garments or apply make up and treasured personal possessions as would be expected in the UK, and the deceased will be behind a glass screen, not in a chapel of rest.
Cremations are not carried out at the tanatorio, but are sent to a crematorium after the funeral service.
Cremations are actually carried out in the open at the crematorium, there is not the same discreet curtain and music as in many UK locations, where the cremation occurs immediately after the service.
A Spanish funeral director will arrange for a minister to perform the funeral service, and in the case of an English speaking family will call an English speaking minister, although whilst an insurance company will pay for a funeral, they will not actually arrange it.

 

 What is the process if death occurs in the home.

Death in the home.

 

The normal procedure in these cases is to call an ambulance to the scene.
If the death appears to be sudden, the guardia arrive and if the circumstances appear in any way unusual will call out forensics.
It is normal for the deceased to be removed quickly, and the funeral director will arrive promptly to do this.
Unless the deceased has a pre-determined funeral director, the medical services will contact a preferred director, and the same situation can occur as within the hospitals.
The bereaved are often unaware that the release papers signed at this point will dictate the location of the funeral, so sign for the removal of the deceased, without understanding that once the deceased has been taken, for example, to Cartagena, that this is where the funeral will be held and they will have no control over its location.

 

Main points summarised

 

The Spanish funeral process is a lot quicker than in the UK.

Spanish citizens predetermine their choice of director and place of funeral through funeral plans and insurance.

Many ex-pats sign release paperwork, not understanding what they are signing, and what the funeral process comprises.

 

The main recommendation as a result of this, is to understand the process involved, make some degree of provision for the future, and Do Not sign any documentation presented in the case of a bereavement without qualifying its purpose.

 

What are the options for those wishing to make funeral provisions?

 

Funeral Plan

Funeral insurance

Pre-selection of funeral director

 

Funeral Plans.

  

A funeral plan is a way of paying up front for a funeral as either a lump sum, or in installments over a specified period. Money is invested, and the lump sum paid to a funeral director at the time of death, no matter how many years in the future that may be. This is effectively buying your funeral at any time in the future, at today's prices, and at a pre-determined cost. 

 

 Funeral Insurance.

 

Small amounts are paid every year until death, but the cover ceases should payments stop.
Payment levels vary according to the age and health of the insuree.
Funeral insurance can work out to be more expensive should the insuree live a long healthy life.
Some insurances will reimburse should you choose to return to the UK, or make allowances against a UK plan.

 

Pre- Selection of Funeral Director.

 

The English funeral Director, Tony Smith, based in Mazarron, offers a service for those who do not wish to take out any type of funeral plan, but would prefer to give their loved ones some control over their funeral arrangements.
Pre- registration ensures that the correct documentation is carried at all times to authorize the English Funeral director to collect the deceased and transfer them to the location specified by the family.
He is then able to complete the necessary registration documentation and carry out the wishes of the deceased regarding the arrangements for their funeral exactly as specified, in liaison with the next of kin.

 

 

 

 

Funeral Director

As a fully qualified professional with 23 years experience, Tony Smith offers a complete service to the family of the deceased, ensuring the minimum distress to the family at a difficult, and often stressful time.
He is on call 24 hours a day, and , once contacted , will be with you every step of the way, undertaking funeral arrangements for not only clients who have insurance cover or funeral plans arranged through himself, but for any other provider.
He will deal with the necessary registration paperwork and transfer the deceased to a specified chapel of rest, dressing them to your specifications,  then organize the funeral to your requirements, with an English speaking minister.
He will organise details as specific as the hymns, poems and personalized service sheets, as well as arrange flowers, donations , funeral teas and be there with you at the service, before collecting all legal paperwork, certificates and ashes, and dedicating an obituary to your loved one.

Although he is able to assist with funeral plans and insurance,

Tony is first and foremost a professional funeral director, and his overriding desire is to ensure that the necessary processes involved in the loss of a loved one be as free from stress as possible for the bereaved.

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