The funeral home in Umeå sees a trend – relatives want to fix more themselves

Coffin, urn, tombstone, transport, ceremony, flowers, venue, coffee, obituary and estate register. There is a lot that costs in connection with a completely ordinary funeral.

Costs are increasing

According to Sweden's association of funeral directors, a funeral cost an average of 40,000 kroner last year, which does not include gravestones or probate.

Compared to 2023, the average price has increased by 16.3 percent. This is the highest increase since measurements began in 2007.

- Transport and fuel will become more expensive. The memories become more expensive because the food becomes more expensive. Nothing shines or stands out, but the increase follows society, says funeral advisor Annika Hedman.

Be surprised

Many people are surprised by how much must be planned for a funeral - and which costs are not covered by the funeral fee.

- There is a perception that a larger part of the costs surrounding the funeral is covered by taxes and fees than is actually the case, says Conny Sohlberg at Fonus.

- It is becoming increasingly common that, for financial reasons, one does a direct cremation without a ceremony, and has one's own private ceremony with the urn, says Jakob Nordström at Lavendla.

Relatives want to fix more

Some choose to do parts of the funeral ceremony themselves, such as arranging flowers or designing program sheets. It is, however, unusual for relatives to arrange transport themselves.

- The questions about what you can and are allowed to do yourself have become more common, says Annika Hedman.