Funeral home quotes: how to read, understand and compare offers

The essential elements of a funeral home quote

A compliant funeral quote must contain several mandatory mentions to protect the consumer. First check the complete identity of the company: business name, address, VAT number and contact details.

The issue date and validity period of the quote must be clearly stated. In Switzerland, a quote is generally valid for 30 days.

Each service must be detailed line by line with its unit price. The total amount including VAT must appear distinctly, with the VAT rate applied.

Payment terms deserve particular attention: deposit required, payment schedule, accepted payment methods. A serious quote also specifies the cancellation or modification conditions.

Always keep a copy signed and dated by both parties.

Deciphering the main expense items

A funeral quote is broken down into several major cost categories. Understanding this structure allows you to quickly identify where the main expenses lie and where savings are possible.

Basic services generally represent 30 to 40% of the total cost. They include the essential and non-negotiable services of the funeral home.

The coffin or urn often constitutes the second most important item, with considerable price variations depending on the materials chosen.

The ceremony and accompaniment group together the customisable aspects of the funeral. This is where optional extras can quickly increase the bill.

Finally, administrative and official fees correspond to taxes and concessions imposed by the authorities.

Basic services

Basic services cover essential services: 24/7 care of the deceased, transport from the place of death to the funeral home, placing in coffin, preservation care if necessary, and management of administrative formalities.

In Switzerland, these services represent between 1,500 and 3,000 CHF depending on regions and providers. This package generally includes coordination with authorities and medical institutions.

Some companies offer "all-inclusive" packages that may seem advantageous, but always check the exact detail of what is included.

The services of funeral homes vary from one provider to another, hence the importance of comparing precisely.

The coffin and funeral articles

The coffin often represents 20 to 30% of the total budget. Prices vary from 800 CHF for a simple pine model to over 5,000 CHF for a high-end solid oak coffin with ornaments.

For a cremation, a simpler coffin is sufficient, which allows for substantial savings. Funeral urns range from 150 to 1,500 CHF depending on materials.

Funeral articles also include linings (interior fabrics), handles, memorial plaques and the shroud. These elements can add 300 to 800 CHF to the total.

Don't hesitate to ask to see different ranges and compare the materials offered.

The ceremony and accompaniment

The organisation of the ceremony groups together several optional items but often desired by families. Hiring a ceremony room costs between 300 and 800 CHF.

Floral arrangements represent 200 to 600 CHF, depending on the desired scale. Music (organist, soloist) adds 200 to 500 CHF. Ceremony booklets amount to 100-300 CHF for 50 copies.

These elements are entirely customisable and represent a significant part of the budget that you can adjust according to your means.

Distinguish clearly between what is a personal wish and what is presented as "traditional" or "usual" by the provider.

Administrative and official fees

These fees are imposed by communal and cantonal authorities. They are not negotiable and vary according to your place of residence.

The cemetery concession costs between 1,000 and 4,000 CHF depending on the duration (10 to 30 years). Cremation fees amount to 400-800 CHF. Communal taxes and the burial permit add 200-500 CHF.

These amounts must be clearly identified in the quote as official fees paid to the authorities, distinct from the funeral company's margin.

Hidden costs and pitfalls to avoid

Some quotes lack transparency on fees that appear afterwards. Weekend or night supplements can add 300 to 500 CHF without being mentioned initially.

Travel costs beyond a defined perimeter are sometimes charged separately. Explicitly ask if mileage charges apply.

Beware of options presented as "mandatory" when they are optional: certain luxury linings, decorative plaques or embalming services are not always necessary.

Bundled packages without line-by-line detail sometimes hide superfluous services. Always demand a detailed quote item by item.

Watch out for vague mentions such as "miscellaneous fees" or "ancillary services" without specification. A serious quote details each chargeable element.

Check whether VAT is included or added to the displayed amount. This difference can represent several hundred francs.

How to effectively compare multiple quotes

Comparing several funeral quotes requires a rigorous method. Don't just look at the total amount: two quotes at 8,000 CHF may cover very different services.

Request at least three quotes from different providers. This gives you a realistic view of the local market and pricing practices.

Ensure that all quotes relate to equivalent services. If one offers an oak coffin and another a pine one, direct comparison makes no sense.

Take the time to analyse each line. Significant price differences on a specific item deserve an explanation from the provider.

Create a comparison table

Establish an Excel or paper table with one column per provider and one line per expense item. List each element: basic services, coffin, ceremony, official fees, options.

Note the unit price of each service and calculate subtotals by category. This visualisation quickly reveals the differences.

Identify missing services in certain quotes. A low price may simply mean that essential services are not included.

Also compare the conditions: payment deadlines, deposit required, after-sales service. Price is not the only decision criterion.

Ask the right questions

Before choosing, ask specific questions to each provider. What exactly is included in the basic package? Are there possible additional fees and under what circumstances?

Ask about intervention and ceremony organisation deadlines. What are the cancellation or contract modification conditions?

Enquire about payment terms: deposit, payment schedule, accepted methods. Are there solutions in case of financial difficulties?

These questions help you assess the professionalism and transparency of the provider. For more advice, consult our guide on how to choose a funeral home.

Check the provider's reputation

An advantageous quote does not guarantee quality service. Consult online reviews and ask the company for references.

Verify that the provider has the required professional certifications and is well established in your region.

The Wolky funeral homes directory helps you find reliable providers in Switzerland, with their contact details and areas of operation.

Don't hesitate to meet the provider in person before signing. The quality of listening and support matters as much as the price.

Negotiate and adapt a quote to your budget

It is perfectly legitimate to discuss the budget with funeral homes. Serious professionals understand financial constraints and offer alternatives.

Identify adjustable items: the coffin often offers the greatest room for manoeuvre (800 to 5,000 CHF). Opt for a simple model if the budget is tight, especially for a cremation.

Flowers, music and ceremony booklets are customisable elements. You can reduce these expenses or handle them yourself.

Eliminate superfluous options presented as "usual". Focus on the essential and what truly makes sense for you.

Explicitly ask if more economical packages exist. Some companies offer simplified packages rarely highlighted spontaneously.

For a complete overview of costs, consult our article on how much funerals cost in Switzerland.

Checklist: points to check before signing

Before committing, review these essential points. The quote must be detailed line by line, with each service clearly described and its unit price.

Check that the total price including VAT is indicated unambiguously, with the VAT rate applied. Payment terms must be acceptable: deposit amount, payment schedule, deadlines.

The company's complete contact details must appear: business name, address, telephone, email, VAT number.

Ensure you understand the modification or cancellation conditions. If a cooling-off period exists, it must be mentioned.

Keep a copy signed and dated by both parties. Don't rush: take the time to calmly reread the document.

In case of doubt, request written clarifications. A serious provider will answer all your questions without difficulty.

Reading and comparing funeral home quotes requires time and attention, but it's a valuable investment to honour your loved one whilst controlling your budget. By deciphering each expense item, asking the right questions and creating a comparison table, you regain control over decisions often made in haste.

Remember that each service is negotiable and that a transparent quote must detail all costs without exception. Don't hesitate to request multiple estimates, check providers' reputations and adapt services to your actual needs rather than a standard package.

To facilitate your procedures, Wolky offers you a directory of funeral homes in Switzerland that allows you to compare providers in your region. You can also publish an obituary online for 180 CHF, an accessible and dignified alternative to inform your loved ones.