Four insurance facts about a Funeral

Author: Susana Dias

(article published in Canarian Weekly 13th November 2009)

I really don’t like writing about funerals... Nevertheless, I have had so many requests to write about funeral insurance, that here I am writing about something no one likes but will happen one day to all of us. Insuring your funeral in advance saves your family the anguish and grief of doing anything other than remembering you.

Fact nº 1 – Why an Expat needs it more that everyone else!

Funeral insurance   (“Poliza de Decesos”) as the name suggests, covers the immediate costs associated with a death - the funeral. At a time of great distress, your loved ones can find some comfort in the knowledge that at least one big bill has been taken care of. It's a comfort for you too. You don't want to think about your own funeral, but once you've taken out the policy you can sit back and forget about it.
As an expat you should be even more sensitive to these questions, because in case of  an accident you put your family in a position where they will have to pay thousands in funeral expenses, as well as the ordeal of dealing with an unfamiliar system in a foreign language. Remember that Spain and especially Tenerife can be a particularly long way from home in times of family grief.
It does not take much to prepare, and although you may not directly benefit, your next of kin will thank you. Here’s a policy no one rushes to claim from! Most funeral insurances provide the use of our 24 Hour Helpline provided by an English speaking professional who will make all the arrangements.

Fact nº2 – Choosing your last address!

Under a strict interpretation of Spanish law, a deceased person must be buried within 72 hours from the time of death. However, in the case of foreign nationals the authorities will normally allow as much time as necessary, although this should not be longer than a few days. Following the death of a British national in Spain, their next of kin, or a formally appointed representative, must decide whether to repatriate the deceased to the UK, or carry out a local burial or cremation.
If the deceased is covered by funeral insurance, it is important for the next of kin to contact the insurance company without delay. If there is no insurance cover, the cost of repatriation or burial will need to be met by the family. Neither the Foreign and Commonwealth Office nor the British Consulates in Spain have budgets to meet these costs.
The total cost, at present, of a funeral varies between 2.500€ and 6.000€. Cemeteries are owned by the town hall that governs their area. Burials are carried out by the method of placing the coffin in a ‘Niche’. A niche cannot be ordered or purchased in advance of a death and the same applies to choosing the location of the niche. At present, it costs approx 900 Euros to purchase a niche.
Spanish Priests do not attend burials at cemeteries. The usual procedure is for a memorial service to be held at the Funeral Parlour / Chapel of Rest and then the mourners follow the hearse to the cemetery for the internment.  There is the “All Saint Cemetery” in Puerto de La Cruz at the Anglican Church, if you prefer not to be buried on catholic ground. If you decide to take the body back to the UK, there are suitable carriers. It’s as well to know that taking a body back to the UK is an expensive procedure. This is because the body has to be embalmed and transported in a lead-lined coffin.
In the case of death for any insured expatriate and at the expressed wish of his relatives, some Insurance Companies (like DKV: 922752842) will organize and take care of the transport and repatriation of the body. This is arranged from the place of death in Spanish territory to the international airport closest to the place of burial in the deceased’s country of origin.

Fact nº3 – What’s covered by a funeral policy!

Most funeral insurance policies have a “top up benefit” to compensate the possible difference between the contracted figure and the real figure on the day (we’re talking about Euros here!). They also cover the transfer of the deceased from anywhere in the world to any cemetery in Spain, and offer a world wide assistance that includes: the transfer or repatriation of the injured or sick, medical, surgical and pharmaceutical expenses, hospitalization and emergency dental treatment abroad, delivery of medicines, long distance consultations and in the case of death: return of insured person beforehand due to a relative's death, and transfer from the mainland to island or contrary, payment for additional burial costs: to cover small incidental costs as a result of the burial (transport, stay, accommodation, etc.)
There are optional covers like: personal accident insurance (compensation in case of death or permanent disability due to an accident, subsidy for hospitalization for whatever reason); possibility of transporting individuals from abroad; and additional provision for exceptional burial expenses (the family will always receive a sum of money to cover the small costs generated by a funeral).
The premiums can be taken out using several methods: annually adjusted level premium, semi-natural premium and renewable annual premium. As an example a family of three (mom of 48, dad of 50 and daughter of 15 years old) would pay around 147€ a year.

Fact nº4 – How to claim it!

We hope that it takes long for you or your family to claim this policy, but in the event of needing it most insurance companies have a help line operated by psychologist that will help with the process. Normally, Insurance Companies pay directly to the Tanatorio and if there is a subsidy to pay the next of kin or the family should present to the Insurance Company:

• The documentation of the deceased in the event of being buried abroad or the report of admittance / leaving the hospital (this must include: name of policyholder, date of admission and date of leaving the hospital and the patient's case history)

• In the case of death by accident, the certificate indicating the time of death and listing the causes and circumstances of the accident;

• The death certificate;

• Documents accrediting the beneficiary and, where applicable, their relationship to the deceased.

The list of documents to present can vary with each Insurance Company and maybe it’s a good idea to provide your next of kin a copy of the policy when you take it out.
With a funeral policy you can freely choose the place of burial and the service you require and you will receive written information on the administrative and legal procedures to be carried out after a death.
A funeral insurance is a thoughtful & responsible approach to a sensitive subject.

Susana Dias is the Director of TVT - the Zurich Insurance Agency legally inscribed at the DGS (Direccion General de Seguros Española) with the number C0530B38657193 - more than 15 years providing excellent service.

Contact the Author for more information or any doubt you might have