Funeral costs in Portugal
A detailed breakdown of funeral costs in Portugal, with average prices and information about financial assistance available to families.
Average funeral cost in Portugal
A standard funeral in Portugal typically costs between 1,500 and 4,000 EUR, depending on the type of service, location, and options chosen. Cremation tends to be less expensive than burial.
Cost breakdown
| Item | Minimum | Average | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffin (standard) | 400 EUR | 800 EUR | 2,000+ EUR |
| Body transport | 150 EUR | 250 EUR | 400 EUR |
| Embalming (tanatopraxia) | 200 EUR | 350 EUR | 500 EUR |
| Wake / Vigil (velatório) | 100 EUR | 200 EUR | 300 EUR |
| Burial (inumação) | 800 EUR | 1,100 EUR | 1,500 EUR |
| Cremation (cremação) | 600 EUR | 900 EUR | 1,200 EUR |
| Cemetery plot fees | 100 EUR | 400 EUR | 1,000+ EUR |
| Flowers | 50 EUR | 150 EUR | 300 EUR |
| Religious/civil ceremony | 50 EUR | 100 EUR | 200 EUR |
| Headstone / Plaque | 200 EUR | 800 EUR | 2,000+ EUR |
| Urn (cremation ashes) | 50 EUR | 150 EUR | 500 EUR |
| Typical Total (Burial) | 1,800 EUR | 3,000 EUR | 5,500+ EUR |
| Typical Total (Cremation) | 1,200 EUR | 2,200 EUR | 4,000+ EUR |
Financial assistance available
Subsídio por Morte
A one-time payment of 1,611.39 EUR (3 x IAS of 537.13 EUR) from Segurança Social. Available to the spouse, children, or other family members. Must be requested within 1 year.
Funeral insurance (Seguro Funeral)
Check if the deceased had funeral insurance, either individually or through their employer. Some life insurance policies also include a funeral cost component.
Municipal support
Some municipalities (Junta de Freguesia or Câmara Municipal) offer funeral assistance for families in financial difficulty. Contact your local office to inquire.
Social funerals
For families who cannot afford funeral costs, Portuguese municipalities are required to provide a social funeral (funeral social) at no cost. This is a basic but dignified service. Contact your local Câmara Municipal.
Tips to manage costs
- Always request written, itemized quotes from at least 2-3 funeral homes
- You are not obligated to use the funeral home at the hospital
- Municipal cemeteries are usually cheaper than private cemeteries
- Consider cremation if cost is a concern (typically 30-40% less expensive)
- The funeral home must provide a transparent price list (it's the law)
- You do not need to purchase the most expensive coffin or services
Watch out for
- Pressure to make quick, expensive decisions at the hospital
- Unnecessary add-on services (premium coffin linings, elaborate flower arrangements)
- Verbal quotes without written confirmation
- Fees that are not clearly explained or itemized
Your rights as a consumer
Caution: Do not rush your decisions
In a moment of grief, it is easy to accept everything the funeral home proposes. Remember: you have rights and time to decide. You are not obliged to accept the first agency.
Fundamental rights
- → Detailed written quote – The funeral home is legally required to provide an itemized quote before any commitment.
- → Freedom of choice – You may compare prices between different funeral homes. Hospitals and care homes cannot impose a specific agency.
- → Refuse unnecessary services – You have the right to decline any service you do not want.
- → File a complaint – If you feel you have been misled, you can complain to DECO (consumer protection) or use the official Complaints Book (Livro de Reclamações).
Practices to avoid
- → Unnecessary embalming – Rarely required in Portugal, but some agencies present it as mandatory.
- → Premium coffin for cremation – If you chose cremation, a simple coffin serves the same purpose.
- → "Mandatory" services that are not – Always question when told something is obligatory.
- → Time pressure – Although there are legal deadlines, most decisions do not need to be made in the first minutes.
Questions to ask the funeral home
- ☑ What is the detailed total cost, including all services?
- ☑ Which services are legally required and which are optional?
- ☑ Are there more affordable alternatives for the coffin/urn?
- ☑ Is transport included in the price?
- ☑ What are the additional cemetery/crematorium costs?
- ☑ Can I see the quote in writing before deciding?
- ☑ Is embalming really necessary in this case?
- ☑ What is the deadline for making this decision?
Use our Funeral cost calculator to estimate the total cost based on your specific needs.