---
title: "Barcelona funeral statistics 2026 · Prices and cremation"
description: "Barcelona funeral statistics (2025-2026): 88% of families chose cremation, a direct cremation cost a median of €2,395 and a wake adds €1,277."
url: "https://funerariasbarcelona.com/en/barcelona-funeral-statistics/"
lang: en
page_type: statistics
business: "Funerarias Barcelona"
telephone: "+34 936 940 667"
dataset_csv: "https://funerariasbarcelona.com/en/barcelona-funeral-statistics/aggregated-data.csv"
license: "CC BY 4.0"
citation: "Funerarias Barcelona. (2026). Statistics on funeral services in Barcelona (2025-2026). https://funerariasbarcelona.com/en/barcelona-funeral-statistics/"
temporal_coverage: "2025-01-06/2026-10-08"
last_updated: "2026-10-21"
generator: custom (_estudio/build_estudio.py)
---

# Statistics on funeral services in Barcelona (2025-2026)

> Real prices, cremation, wakes and who organises the farewell: our study based on data from funeral services in Barcelona.

This document is the Markdown version of the page https://funerariasbarcelona.com/en/barcelona-funeral-statistics/ · Funerarias Barcelona.

Updated on 21 October 2026 · Data: January 2025 - October 2026 · Prepared by Funerarias Barcelona

Using real data, this study shows what funeral services in Barcelona are like: what families choose, how much they pay, where they say goodbye and who takes care of everything. We have added official figures from Idescat (the Statistical Institute of Catalonia), Cementiris de Barcelona (the company that runs the city's municipal cemeteries) and the OCU (the Spanish consumers' association).

We only publish aggregated, anonymous percentages and medians. You are welcome to cite and reuse the data with a link to this page.

## What does the data show? The key figures

Out of every 10 families, almost 9 chose cremation, and half paid less than **€2,994** for the funeral service. Most families called the funeral home on the same day as the death and, in 55% of cases, a son or daughter took care of everything.

- **88%** of families chose cremation (Province of Barcelona, 2025-2026)
- **€2,395** was the median cost of a **direct cremation**. With a wake, the median rises to **€3,672**: €1,277 more (+53%). (Median price of the service)
- **82%** of families called the funeral home **on the same day** as the death.
- **55%** of services were arranged by **a son or daughter**, most often a daughter.
- **1 in 5** families contacted the funeral home **before the death** to arrange everything in advance.
- **22%** of calls came in on a **Saturday or Sunday**.
- **1 in 2** cremations took place at **Roques Blanques (El Papiol)**, the most frequently used crematorium.
- **10 days** was the median time families took to request the **full death certificate** (“certificado literal”). (Half of families requested it between 5 and 24 days after the death)

## How much does a funeral cost in Barcelona in 2026?

Half of families paid less than **€2,994** for the complete funeral service. The most common choice, direct cremation without a wake, cost a median of **€2,395**; with a wake, cremation rose to **€3,672**.

**With a wake, cremation costs €1,277 more** — Median price by type of service, in euros

The median is the price that splits families in two: half paid less and half paid more. It is more representative than the average because extreme cases do not distort it.

*Price by type of service (euros)*

| Type of service | Minimum | P25 | Median | P75 | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct cremation (no wake) | €2,195 | €2,295 | €2,395 | €2,495 | €4,650 |
| Cremation with farewell or mass | €2,395 | €2,395 | €2,693 | €3,295 | €3,295 |
| Cremation with wake | €3,495 | €3,595 | €3,672 | €3,895 | €4,743 |
| Burial with wake | €2,615 | €2,871 | €3,730 | €4,289 | €4,445 |
| All funeral services | — | €2,395 | €2,994 | €3,684 | — |

### How much does a wake add to the cost?

Comparing the two most common options, a wake adds **€1,277** to a cremation (53% more), taking the median from €2,395 to €3,672. The service with a wake includes a room at the funeral parlour for up to 24 hours; for reference, the OCU put the cost of renting a funeral parlour room at €546 for 24 hours (2021 figure).

### How are prices distributed?

Prices fall into two very clear groups: **38%** of services cost between €2,000 and €2,499, the range for direct cremation, and **30%** between €3,500 and €3,999, the range for services with a wake.

**Prices fall into two groups** — Percentage of services by amount paid

Horizontal axis: lower limit of each price band, in euros.

*Services by price band*

| Price band | % of services |
|---|---|
| Under €2,000 | 3% |
| €2,000-2,499 | 38% |
| €2,500-2,999 | 10% |
| €3,000-3,499 | 8% |
| €3,500-3,999 | 30% |
| €4,000-4,999 | 10% |
| €5,000 or more | 3% |

For a national reference point, the OCU puts the cost of a simple burial in Spain at more than €3,700, and the average cost of a coffin at around €1,200 ([OCU](https://www.ocu.org/dinero/seguros/informe/servicios-funerarios-morir-sale-caro), 2023).

## How many families choose cremation in Barcelona?

**88%** of families chose cremation. That is much higher than the 58.15% cremation rate recorded by Cementiris de Barcelona in 2024 and the “more than 40%” that the OCU estimates for Spain as a whole.

**Cremation is above the official average** — Cremations as a share of all services, by source

The three figures cover different populations (the services in this study, those of Barcelona's municipal cemeteries and a national estimate), so the comparison is only a guide.

*Percentage of cremations*

| Source | Cremation | Base |
|---|---|---|
| This study (2025-2026) | 88% | Funeral services in the study |
| Cementiris de Barcelona (2024) | 58.15% | 13,851 services |
| Spain, OCU estimate (2023) | more than 40% | Deaths |

The trend is also visible in the official figures: Cementiris de Barcelona carried out **8,054** cremations and 5,797 burials in 2024, and attributes the shift to social trends and generational turnover ([Cementiris de Barcelona](https://cementiris.ajuntament.barcelona.cat/sites/default/files/2025-07/211248_20250610%20Maquetaci%C3%B3_Mem%C3%B2ria_CBSA_2024%20Auditada-ca-ES.pdf)).

## Which funeral services are most commonly chosen in Barcelona?

Direct cremation, without a wake, is the most commonly chosen service, accounting for **42%** of all services. It is followed by cremation with a wake (28%) and burial with a wake (9%).

**Direct cremation is the most commonly chosen service** — Percentage of services carried out, by type

*Services carried out, by type*

| Type of service | % |
|---|---|
| Direct cremation (no wake) | 42% |
| Cremation with wake | 28% |
| Burial with wake | 9% |
| Cremation with farewell or mass | 7% |
| Funeral paperwork | 5% |
| Exhumation and cremation | 5% |
| Repatriation | 2% |
| Burial without wake | 2% |

In total, **41%** of funeral services included a wake and 15% added a farewell, mass or ceremony. “Paperwork” refers to one-off formalities, such as the certificate of last wishes (which shows whether the person left a will).

## Where do cremations and wakes take place in Barcelona?

Roques Blanques was the most frequently used crematorium, handling **50%** of the cremations where the crematorium was recorded, followed by Montjuïc (27%). For wakes, the Ronda de Dalt funeral parlour was the most frequently used, with **82%** of the wakes where the venue was recorded.

**Roques Blanques is the most frequently used crematorium** — Percentage of cremations by crematorium, where recorded

*Crematorium used*

| Crematorium | % |
|---|---|
| Roques Blanques (El Papiol) | 50% |
| Montjuïc (Barcelona) | 27% |
| Outside Barcelona province | 14% |
| Others in the metropolitan area | 9% |

Cementiris de Barcelona runs the city's nine cemeteries and the Montjuïc crematorium, and its 2024 sustainability report highlights growing competition from funeral companies with their own crematoria in the metropolitan area ([Cementiris de Barcelona](https://cementiris.ajuntament.barcelona.cat/sites/default/files/2025-07/211248_20250610%20Maquetaci%C3%B3_Mem%C3%B2ria_CBSA_2024%20Auditada-ca-ES.pdf)). This study's figures point the same way: Roques Blanques handled more cremations than Montjuïc.

## Where do deaths occur in Barcelona?

**67%** of deaths occurred in hospital. 15% were handled by the Instituto Anatómico Forense (the forensic institute, when a court is involved); 12% occurred at home and 6% in a care home.

**67% of deaths occur in hospital** — Percentage of deaths by place

*Place of death*

| Place | % |
|---|---|
| Hospital | 67% |
| Forensic institute (court involvement) | 15% |
| Home | 12% |
| Care home | 6% |

## Who arranges a funeral in Barcelona?

In **55%** of cases, a son or daughter took care of everything, with daughters doing so more often than sons (daughters 33%, sons 22%). A spouse or partner arranged only 5% of funerals.

**Daughters most often arrange the funeral** — Percentage of services by relationship of the person arranging them

“Other relatives and close friends” groups together parents, nephews and nieces, friends and representatives, so that no individual case can be identified.

*Who arranges the service*

| Relationship | % |
|---|---|
| Daughter | 33% |
| Son | 23% |
| Other relatives and close friends | 18% |
| Brother or sister | 13% |
| In-laws | 10% |
| Spouse or partner | 5% |

This fits the profile of the deceased: 31% were widowed and 28% were single, so the arrangements fall mainly to the next generation.

## When do families call the funeral home?

**82%** of families called on the same day as the death, and 22% of calls came in on a Saturday or Sunday. That is why being available 24 hours a day, every day, is not an extra: it is what families need.

**8 in 10 families call on the same day** — Time between the death and the call to the funeral home

*Time until the call*

| When the family called | % |
|---|---|
| Same day | 82% |
| Next day | 3% |
| 2 or more days | 15% |

### Which days of the week?

**22% of calls come in at the weekend** — Percentage of calls by day of the week · weekend highlighted

*Calls by day of the week*

| Day | % |
|---|---|
| Monday | 10% |
| Tuesday | 27% |
| Wednesday | 15% |
| Thursday | 20% |
| Friday | 7% |
| Saturday | 7% |
| Sunday | 15% |

### At what time of year?

**Q1 2026 had the most services** — Percentage of services carried out, by quarter

The last quarter only includes data up to 8 October 2026.

*Services by quarter*

| Quarter | % |
|---|---|
| Q1 2025 | 10% |
| Q2 2025 | 7% |
| Q3 2025 | 20% |
| Q4 2025 | 7% |
| Q1 2026 | 29% |
| Q2 2026 | 12% |
| Q3 2026 | 12% |
| Q4 2026 | 2% |

In Catalonia, January is the month with the most deaths (7,789 in 2024) and September the month with the fewest (4,748), according to [Idescat](https://www.idescat.cat/novetats/?id=5387&lang=en).

Do you need help now?

We are here for you 24 hours a day, every day. Call us and we will guide you, with no obligation.

[📞 Call 936 940 667](tel:+34936940667)[or write to us](#section-65-74)

## How long does it take to get the death certificate?

Families requested the full death certificate (“certificado literal”) a median of **10 days** after the death, and half of the requests were made between 5 and 24 days afterwards. It is the document that banks, insurers and notaries ask for, so it is worth allowing for this time.

- **5-24 days** is the period in which half of families requested the **full death certificate** after the death. The dark marker shows the median: 10 days. (The latest request was made 74 days after the death.)

## How many families plan a funeral in advance?

**1 in 5** families contacted the funeral home before the death to arrange everything in advance. Most of them were planning a direct cremation.

Planning ahead lets you compare options calmly and make decisions without the pressure of the first few hours.

## What was the profile of the deceased?

**31%** of the deceased were widowed, 28% were single, a further 28% were married and 13% were divorced or separated.

**31% of the deceased were widowed** — Percentage of the deceased by marital status

*Marital status*

| Marital status | % |
|---|---|
| Widowed | 31% |
| Single | 28% |
| Married | 28% |
| Divorced or separated | 13% |

For reference, the most common age at death in Catalonia in 2024 was 90 (2,954 deaths), according to [Idescat](https://www.idescat.cat/novetats/?id=5387&lang=en).

## Where are the ashes and documents delivered?

In **92%** of cases, the ashes and documents were delivered in Barcelona and its province. The rest were sent to other Spanish regions (5%) or abroad (3%).

## Barcelona in context: the official figures

Barcelona records around **15,200** deaths a year, and its death rate (9.02‰ in 2024) is higher than the Catalan average (8.37‰), partly because it has a particularly elderly population: 65,585 residents are aged 85 or over. Across Catalonia as a whole, 67,524 deaths were registered in 2024.

- **67,524** deaths were registered in Catalonia in 2024. (Source: [Idescat](https://www.idescat.cat/novetats/?id=5387&lang=en))
- **9.02‰** was the death rate in the city of Barcelona in 2024. (Catalonia: 8.37‰ · [Idescat](https://www.idescat.cat/emex/?id=080193&lang=en))
- **≈15,200** deaths a year in the city of Barcelona. (Our own estimate based on Idescat data)
- **65,585** Barcelona residents are aged 85 or over. (Source: [Idescat](https://www.idescat.cat/emex/?id=080193&lang=en))
- **58.15%** of Cementiris de Barcelona's services were cremations in 2024. (8,054 of 13,851 services · [Cementiris de Barcelona](https://cementiris.ajuntament.barcelona.cat/sites/default/files/2025-07/211248_20250610%20Maquetaci%C3%B3_Mem%C3%B2ria_CBSA_2024%20Auditada-ca-ES.pdf))
- **January** was the month with the most deaths in Catalonia in 2024. (7,789 deaths · [Idescat](https://www.idescat.cat/novetats/?id=5387&lang=en))
- **90 years** was the most common age at death in Catalonia in 2024. (2,954 deaths · [Idescat](https://www.idescat.cat/novetats/?id=5387&lang=en))
- **+€3,700** is the average cost of a simple burial in Spain. ([OCU](https://www.ocu.org/dinero/seguros/informe/servicios-funerarios-morir-sale-caro), 2023)

Our estimate of deaths in Barcelona multiplies the 2024 crude death rate (9.02 per thousand) by the resident population (1,686,208 inhabitants), both from Idescat.

## Methodology: how we carried out this study

We have analysed real, anonymised data from funeral services, and we only publish aggregated percentages and medians. These are the rules we have followed:

- **Source:** Funerarias Barcelona's own data, anonymised.
- **Scope:** services in Barcelona and in other municipalities in the province.
- **Period:** calls received between 6 January 2025 and 8 October 2026.
- **Indicators:** each percentage is calculated on the cases where the information is available.
- **Classification:** the type of service has been standardised into eight categories, based on the description in each case file.
- **Prices:** the amount for the service recorded in the case file. One-off paperwork services are excluded, and only service types with enough cases are shown.
- **Anonymisation:** no personal data is published, and groups with very few cases are combined so that no one can be identified.
- **Limitations:** the data reflects the services included in the study, not all funeral homes in the city (for example, cremation accounts for a larger share than in the official figures). That is why the percentages are only indicative and we compare them with official sources.
- **Context:** the official figures come from Idescat, Cementiris de Barcelona and the OCU (see Sources).
- **Updates:** we will review the study every year; the next update is planned for October 2027.

## Use and cite this study

You are free to use any figure or chart from this study in your article, project or website. We only ask that you cite the source with a link to this page ([CC BY 4.0 licence](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en)).

### Copy the citation

Text

Source: Funerarias Barcelona, “Statistics on funeral services in Barcelona (2025-2026)”, 2026. https://funerariasbarcelona.com/en/barcelona-funeral-statistics/

APA

Funerarias Barcelona. (2026). Statistics on funeral services in Barcelona (2025-2026). https://funerariasbarcelona.com/en/barcelona-funeral-statistics/

HTML link

<a href="https://funerariasbarcelona.com/en/barcelona-funeral-statistics/">Barcelona funeral statistics (Funerarias Barcelona)</a>

### Download the data

All the aggregated data from the study, ready for your spreadsheet.

[Download data (CSV)](aggregated-data.csv)

An image with the key figures to share on social media.

[Download social media image](share-barcelona-funeral-statistics.png)

Each chart has its own buttons to download it or embed it on your website, with the source included.

### Are you a journalist?

If you are writing about funeral services in Barcelona and need a specific figure, a further breakdown or a comment for your article, write to us and we will reply as soon as possible.

[Press enquiries](mailto:info@funerariasbarcelona.com?subject=Barcelona%20funeral%20statistics)

[info@funerariasbarcelona.com](mailto:info@funerariasbarcelona.com)

## Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the most common questions, based on the data in this study.

### How much does a cremation cost in Barcelona?

According to our 2025-2026 study, a direct cremation without a wake cost a median of €2,395, and a cremation with a wake cost €3,672.

### How many people are cremated in Barcelona?

According to Cementiris de Barcelona, the company that runs the city's municipal cemeteries, 58.15% of its services in 2024 were cremations (8,054 of 13,851). In our study, the cremation rate was 88%.

### How much does a wake add to the cost of a funeral?

A wake added a median of €1,277 to the cost of a cremation (53% more), from €2,395 to €3,672.

### How long does it take to get a death certificate in Barcelona?

According to our study, families requested the full death certificate (“certificado literal”) a median of 10 days after the death, and half did so between 5 and 24 days afterwards.

### Who usually arranges a funeral?

In our study, a son or daughter arranged the funeral in 55% of cases, with daughters doing so more often than sons (33% compared with 22%).

### Can you arrange a funeral in advance?

Yes. In our study, 1 in 5 families contacted the funeral home before the death to arrange everything in advance, and most of them were planning a direct cremation.

### Can I use the data and charts from this study?

Yes. They are published under a CC BY 4.0 licence, so you can reuse them freely as long as you cite the source with a link to this page.

## Sources

Funerarias Barcelona's own data (6 January 2025 - 8 October 2026) and the following official sources, consulted on 21 October 2026:

1. [Idescat — Deaths statistics 2024 (published 1 December 2025)](https://www.idescat.cat/novetats/?id=5387&lang=en)
2. [Idescat — The municipality in figures: Barcelona](https://www.idescat.cat/emex/?id=080193&lang=en)
3. [Cementiris de Barcelona — Memòria de Sostenibilitat 2024 (in Catalan)](https://cementiris.ajuntament.barcelona.cat/sites/default/files/2025-07/211248_20250610%20Maquetaci%C3%B3_Mem%C3%B2ria_CBSA_2024%20Auditada-ca-ES.pdf)
4. [OCU — The cost of funeral services (31 October 2023, in Spanish)](https://www.ocu.org/dinero/seguros/informe/servicios-funerarios-morir-sale-caro)

Last updated: 21 October 2026. Next review planned: October 2027.

## Downloadable charts

- [With a wake, cremation costs €1,277 more](https://funerariasbarcelona.com/en/barcelona-funeral-statistics/chart-precio-por-tipo.png)
- [Prices fall into two groups](https://funerariasbarcelona.com/en/barcelona-funeral-statistics/chart-tramos-de-precio.png)
- [Cremation is above the official average](https://funerariasbarcelona.com/en/barcelona-funeral-statistics/chart-cremacion.png)
- [Direct cremation is the most commonly chosen service](https://funerariasbarcelona.com/en/barcelona-funeral-statistics/chart-tipos-de-servicio.png)
- [Roques Blanques is the most frequently used crematorium](https://funerariasbarcelona.com/en/barcelona-funeral-statistics/chart-crematorios.png)
- [67% of deaths occur in hospital](https://funerariasbarcelona.com/en/barcelona-funeral-statistics/chart-lugar-fallecimiento.png)
- [Daughters most often arrange the funeral](https://funerariasbarcelona.com/en/barcelona-funeral-statistics/chart-quien-organiza.png)
- [8 in 10 families call on the same day](https://funerariasbarcelona.com/en/barcelona-funeral-statistics/chart-tiempo-aviso.png)
- [22% of calls come in at the weekend](https://funerariasbarcelona.com/en/barcelona-funeral-statistics/chart-aviso-dia-semana.png)
- [Q1 2026 had the most services](https://funerariasbarcelona.com/en/barcelona-funeral-statistics/chart-servicios-trimestre.png)
- [31% of the deceased were widowed](https://funerariasbarcelona.com/en/barcelona-funeral-statistics/chart-estado-civil.png)

---

*Source: https://funerariasbarcelona.com/en/barcelona-funeral-statistics/ · Last updated: 2026-10-21*