Funerals

When an Ex-pat dies in Spain, the next of kin or a legal representative must decide whether to repatriate the deceased to their native country or hold a local burial or cremation. Some travel insurance covers repatriation and the insurance company must be immediately made aware of the situation.

Once you have obtained a death certificate from the Civil Registry, Registro Civil at the Court Building, Juzgado or at the Justice of the Peace, Juzgado de Paz, you can then register the death with your local Consular office.

Under normal circumstances, the registration process and release forms are obtained within a few hours. In the case of foreign nationals, the authorities extend the period of time for funeral services to accommodate the arrival of family members.

When a loved one passes away, there is great consolation in knowing where to turn. Hospitals have funeral directors that make recommendations for local companies. It is wise not to sign any finalised documents when under stress, but rather contact a local English funeral service which will facilitate the process in English - it will simplify an already trying period and you can avoid hidden expenses. You call the service of your choice and within an hour they are with you to help determine what services will be required.

English funeral directors offer a caring, personal 24 hour service. They have many years of experience and come from an established family business in London.

Covering the entirety of the Costa del Sol, english funeral directors take care of everything from registering the death to ordering flowers. The maximum price for a cremation with no hidden costs is 3,500 euros. They offer pre-arranged funeral plans and their structured price list is very competitive.

For friendly personal service call:

John Frangiamore

Tel: 952 887 232 / Tel: (24 hr mobile) 699 664 660
info@englishfuneraldirectors.co.uk
www.englishfuneraldirectors.co.uk

They take care of all the arrangements including:

A death must be registered within 24 hours at the town hall of the district where it took place.

In the case of a deceased foreigner, the town hall needs his passport or residence permit and the death must also be registered at the deceased's embassy in Spain. The cost of registering the death of a British national with the embassy is 143€.

A death certificate must be prepared and signed by the doctor who attended the death (in a hospital or elsewhere) and be legally certified by their embassy or consulate. This certificate is required for insurance claims and to execute a will.

Flowers

To send flowers locally or internationally: All of these shops are in the Interflora network and can send flower arrangements world wide.

Nueva Andalucía

DESEOS

Beautiful flowers for all occasions
Card shop: 952 814 029
Flower shop: 952 811 301
www.deseos-florist.com

Málaga / Alhaurín De La Torre / Torremolinos

FLOR Y MAR

(Open 24 hours - covers the whole Coast)
Tel: 952 507 051
www.florymar.com

Fuengirola

FLORGIROLA - INTERFLORA

Tel: 952 581 280
www.interflora.com

Marbella

FLOR Y MAR

Tel: 952 868 687
www.florymar.com

Funerals in Spain have changed in the recent past. Traditionally in villages, church bells tolled informing the local community of a death and the news spread quickly. Family members and friends congregated holding an all night vigil at the home of the deceased or a family member's. Nowadays wakes are usually held in cemetery chapels, funeral parlours or is a special community centre known as a tanatorio. While family members or close friends of the family may stay for hours, an appropriate visit is one hour to express your condolences and commiserate with the family.

Wakes in Spain tend to be solemn - there is neither food nor drink. People may talk about the deceased or may be silent. Funeral services generally occur within 24 hours, but they can be delayed to allow for family or friends to arrive. Typically there is a Mass, followed by the internment.

There are some idiosyncrasies:

Many older Spaniards still wear black when in mourning for up to a year. During church services many men wait outside and condole with the family when they emerge with the coffin.

In some villages there is a separate mourning area for men and women.

Sending flowers is always appreciated. In small towns people may walk to the cemetery; obviously for longer distances a hearse is employed and cars follow. It means a great deal to Spaniards that you attend the wake and express your condolences.

Bereavement Councelling

Cruse Bereavement Care

www.cruse.org.uk

Central Office: PO Box 800, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1RG
Administration: +44 (0) 20 8939 9530
Fax: +44 (0) 20 8940 1671

Northern Ireland Regional Office: Piney Ridge, Knockbracken Healthcare Park, Saintfield Road, Belfast, BT8 8BH.
Tel: +44 (0) 28 9079 2419

Cruse Bereavement Care Cymru

Ty Energlyn, Heol Las, Caerphilly/Caerffili, CF83 2TT
Tel: +44 (0) 29 2088 6913

Phoenix Counselling Service

Administrative Office, 591 Heathway, Dagenham, Essex, RM9 5AZ
Tel: +44 (0) 208 595 9633

Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service

8/10 Forty Avenue, Wembley, HA9 8JW
Tel: +44 (0) 20 8385 1874