Funeral costs in Hungary skyrocket amid inflation: A call to plan ahead
In Hungary, funeral services have seen price increases significantly above the average inflation rate. Over the past year, the costs of both traditional burials and cremations have risen by around 10%. According to Katalin Palkovics, president of the Hungarian National Association of Funeral Service Providers, these increases are driven by higher prices for essential materials, energy, and labour—costs that providers have had to pass on to customers.
Many Hungarians unprepared for a funeral’s financial burden
Photo: depositphotos.com
This sharp rise in expenses, coupled with a severe labour shortage in the sector, makes it increasingly difficult for families to finance burial services, according to Pénzcentrum. Gergely Novák, owner of Télizöld Funeral Service Plc., noted that many Hungarians are unprepared for the financial burden of a funeral, which can place significant strain on family budgets. His company has recently launched an online service allowing clients to handle all funeral arrangements from home, a step towards modernising the industry and making the process more accessible.
In July 2024, consumer prices in Hungary were 4.1% higher than a year earlier, with services seeing a 9.1% increase. However, burial services have outpaced these figures, with a traditional burial now costing an average of HUF 442,080 (EUR 1,121), up 9.65% from HUF 403,500 (EUR 1,023) last year. Cremations have similarly risen by 10.44%, now averaging HUF 318,820 (EUR 808).
The growing preference for cremation is also notable, driven by its lower cost, smaller environmental impact, and reduced long-term expenses. However, the price gap between traditional burials and cremations has widened to over HUF 123,000 (EUR 312), reflecting the ongoing financial pressures in the industry.
Rising costs of raw materials, labour, and energy
Palkovics highlighted that the rising costs of raw materials, labour, and energy are significant factors behind these price hikes. The funeral industry, reliant on skilled and emotionally resilient workers, is facing a critical shortage of new entrants. This shortage is exacerbated by the physically and emotionally demanding nature of the work, along with limited career prospects and training opportunities.
The increasing costs are not just a local issue; across Europe, the average cost of a funeral equates to about two months’ salary. In Hungary, however, this cost is relatively lower, though still a considerable financial challenge for many families. The trend towards simpler, less formal ceremonies is growing, with many families opting for fewer supplementary services and smaller gatherings to cut costs.
To address these challenges, Palkovics and Novák both urge families to plan ahead, either through insurance or savings, to manage the financial impact of funeral expenses. As the economic situation remains uncertain, with ongoing inflation and other pressures, the cost of funerals is unlikely to decrease in the near future.
Don’t Take It Home!
Gergely Novák also mentioned a concerning trend: more people are choosing to take urns home without holding any ceremony, a practice funeral professionals discourage. To combat this, a campaign titled “Don’t Take It Home!” was launched last year, aiming to raise awareness of the emotional and social implications of such decisions.
Finally, Novák’s company has introduced a pioneering online service, SimpleTemetés.hu, offering a fully online funeral arrangement process. This innovative service is designed to assist those managing funerals from abroad or who prefer to handle arrangements in the comfort of their own home. The platform provides comprehensive information on available services and allows users to customise their plans while ensuring secure payments and 24/7 customer support.
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Featured image: depositphotos.com
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2 Comments
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
FACTUALLY what is a practice, in “other” Democratic country’s that are called – “Pre-Paid Funeral Arrangements”.
No-body except our CREATOR knows when our time on Earth is up.
Paying on this arrangement DISCOUNTED because it’s a “FUNDS up Front” arrangement – should be CONSIDERED for INTRODUCTION in Hungary.
Hungary – we are an Ageing Society, that over the period in time of the Orban – Fidesz Government – 15 “hellish” years growing for millions, it still TRENDS monthly, that greater numbers of Hungarians go to the UNDERTAKERS than babies born.
What percentage are being DRIVEN to an early GRAVE by the gargantuan FAILINGS of Victor Orban and his Fidesz Government ?
FACTUALLY – they do have “Death” on there Hands.
The Real Person!
The Real Person!
In Ontario Canada a lot of Hungarian refugees from the ’56 events purchased the plots in a specific cemetary so that all are together & easy for visiting family to put flowers on each grave on a yearly basis. So, my parents had their hole lined and a lid premade. When my mother died the cost of the funeral home getting her from the hospital, a 2 day/evening showing with not even a beverage included, the ride to the cemetary after a doddering old whispering priest did a ulogy inhouse….it cost what I earned in a year as a teacher to adults w. disabilities. $20 grand Canadian. After the funeral there was a room that was not adequate for our friends where they serverd coffee, tea, & some crap cheap mixed sweet punch. Some tiny snadwiches and inexpensive cookies, which all ran out fast. My brother arranged and paid for that. Me being from out of province had no way to buy, bake, bring typical Hungarian fare….and my local brothers were too distraught to think of booze etc. The notice in the Toronto star, minus a photo, cost $600 CA. That was a huge hit to me as well on top of hotel overnight stay, travel from Nova Scotia etc. But it shows that people all need life insurance and make at least some arrangements years ahead.
Green burial is the new trend in Nova Scotia…land in cemetaries is too expensive now, even space inside nice buildings for creamated family. For ours, the same cemetary holding our old loved ones has a lovely building where my aunt, uncle, his 2nd wife & & my young cousin are stored. His sister can visit anytime she gets that far from home. That is full now…so she has to make different plans for self…as to how far her own son can travel to honour her memory in future. Me too….I want to be put under a palm tree or apricot tree in a country my own kids would visit once in a blue moon.