Cremation having a cost of 750 Euros on average, is a more economical option in Spain. If the deceased has travel or another form of insurance, it is important the insurance company is contacted as quickly as possible so that the repatriation, burial or cremation costs can be met.
What to do if someone dies in Spain ? Call the police . Simply call the emergency number 092 and they will send the police . A funeral parlour will be contacted (by the doctor, the police or yourself ) to remove the body (identification must accompany the body in order for it to be moved).
The Spanish inheritance tax rate payable starts at 7.65% and is banded on the amount gifted up to a top rate of 36.5%. Further multipliers on the tax due apply depending on the beneficiaries pre-existing wealth and their relationship to the donor.
Cremation is widely practised in Spain due to the immigration population, normally with 24 hours. Prices vary depending on location, but 4,500e would be a good average and is normally paid at the time of death and before or at the time of the cremation to the Funeral Director.
Spanish Inheritance Law states that when you die your property will be shared among your heirs according to the law of your country of origin (unless you are resident in Spain and have no Will, in which case Spanish law and the forced heirs applies). This is then acceptable to the Central Wills Registry in Spain.
According to a study released this week by Funespaña and Mémora, two of Spain's largest undertakers, the average price of funeral costs in Spain is 2500 euros. The Spanish Consumers' Union puts the cost a little lower at 2,200 euros.
Local death certificates will be in Spanish and do not show the cause of death.
Late morning to early afternoon is the most common time frame for funerals. Families often choose this time bracket so that their guests can stay for a luncheon or reception before heading back home. In contrast, wakes, viewings and visitations are usually occur in the evening, the night before the funeral.
If the body of the deceased has not been embalmed, an open casket funeral must be held one to three days after death. If the body is embalmed, it's typically recommended to have the funeral within one or two weeks.
The wake is the get together after the funeral service. It only lasts a couple of hours. You don't have a wake lasting from time of death to funeral. The reason why funerals are within a few days in other countries is because of the heat, though now cold storage is much more available.
You can delay a funeral for as long as you can keep the body preserved. There's no law or a set number of days or weeks that one has to have a funeral by, if at all. If you have access to a refrigeration unit or freezer you could postpone it indefinitely. Usually, though it is done within two weeks.
How long can the body remain preserved? A body presents little threat to public health in the first day following the death. However, after 24 hours the body will need some level of embalming. A mortuary will be able to preserve the body for approximately a week.
In most states, you're allowed to keep the body at home until the burial or cremation. The specific length of time allowed may vary from state to state, but generally, a few days is acceptable. Make sure you're aware of your state and local laws to avoid any legal issues during an already stressful and emotional time.
Can you have a funeral on Saturday or Sunday? A funeral can be held any day of the week but it's common for burial grounds and crematoria to charge extra for weekend services. With weekends being traditional days for other types of religious services, a minister may not be available for funerals on Saturday or Sunday.
A viewing (also called a wake) may be brief and take place immediately before the funeral service, or may last for up to three days before the service. A visitation can take place any time, before or after the funeral service or disposition, and can last for hours or days.
