A Modern Send-Off: The Changing Nature of Irish Funerals

An Post Insurance is proud to be part and parcel of Irish lives, helping to insure first cars, new homes, family pets and even final goodbyes.

We work hard to keep up with developments, we recently commissioned RED C Research to get an insight into how our community feels about death and funerals.

The findings reveal much — about persistent worries, new trends and treasured traditions.

An expensive prospect

The An Post Insurance/Red C survey* found that 68% of respondents have made no actual plan for their funeral, with more than nine in 10 people worrying that the cost will be a financial burden on their families.

This will come as no surprise to anyone who has recently gone through the grieving process, as much like everything else, costs are rising fast. Latest research indicates that the average cost of a funeral in Ireland is now approximately €6,252*. That’s a 14% increase since 2022 (€5,484) and a 42% jump since 2016 (€4,062). Quite often, the coffin itself is a major expense, with prices varying between €1,900 and €6,000. If you feel strongly about the type — and cost — of the funeral you’d like to have, it’s a good idea to start sharing your feelings.

Although three in four respondents to our survey say they have had ‘conversations’ with loved ones about their funeral preferences and wishes, it seems that this is as far as our planning goes: 88% of those surveyed have not included the details in their wills and 83% don’t have funeral insurance in place.

Making proper preparations

It’s easier than you might think to put effective plans in place for when the time comes for your funeral. Really, there are just three important steps to remember:

1. Write down your wishes (ideally in a formal will)
2. Share key information with loved ones
3. Set aside sufficient funds or put funeral insurance in place

According to renowned financial advisor Paul Merriman, our An Post Insurance brand ambassador, “A Funeral Insurance policy is a great place to start in terms of taking care of the expenses and easing the financial burden on your loved ones.”

Suzanne McGuinness, Head of Marketing at An Post Insurance, agrees, saying: “With such a high percentage of people worried about funeral costs, we are keen to help Irish people understand that taking out funeral insurance is a simple way to help them prepare financially.

While it may seem gloomy to think about, taking out a funeral insurance policy will ensure that some of the costs of your funeral will be covered, lessening the impact on your loved ones during a difficult time.”

Easy, affordable funeral insurance

Buying funeral insurance is a very straightforward process. If you’re aged between 50 and 75 years of age and resident in the Republic of Ireland, you could get cover for as little as €15 a month.

^{For example a 50 year old paying a monthly premium of €15 (including 1% Government levy) would be assured for cover of €4,700.}

Your policy can pay out as much as €30,000 in a lump-sum benefit, depending on the value and duration of your payments. If your death takes place within the first two years, your beneficiaries will receive a sum equal to the amount you’ve paid in at the time of your death. It’s important to bear in mind, of course, that the total premiums paid over the term of the policy may exceed the death benefit and funeral costs can increase over time, while cover remains fixed.

Depending on how much you choose to pay each month, you may leave behind enough to cover your funeral service, perhaps with a little left over to help your family cope with their grief.  

Leaving a lasting legacy

Every An Post Insurance Funeral Insurance policy comes with a complimentary online will-writing service too^, which is a very important step in planning for the future.

Two-thirds of people in Ireland do not have a formal will in place. Without a will, your estate will be distributed according to the rules of intestacy, which could leave your loved ones in a difficult position when you’re no longer here.

That’s why it’s important to get prepared now, so you can have a plan in place to help alleviate these worries.

When you’re writing your will, you should take the opportunity to include your wishes for your funeral. 39% of respondents in the An Post Insurance / RED C survey expressed a wish for a traditional burial, while 4% would rather their body be donated to science or have an ‘alternative’ style of burial such as a ‘green’ burial. Cremation is now the preferred burial option among the over 50 age group — if that’s what you’d like too, now’s the time to tell your family and friends.

A special send-off

Here in Ireland, we have a strong funeral culture, with Irish wakes, processions and eulogies depicted in songs, books and films around the world.

Our research with RED C confirmed that some traditions have survived the passing of time: 81% of those surveyed agreed that a wake is an important opportunity to pay tribute to the person who has passed away and three quarters believe it helps those left behind with the grieving process. A wake in the deceased’s own home is the preferred choice of those surveyed (69%), most of whom listed the below traditions as the most treasured:

• 76% - shaking hands and expressing sympathy
• 67% - soup, sandwiches and ‘good hospitality’ at the afters
• 41% - a singsong after the funeral
• 54% - telling stories about the deceased

That said, times are changing and funeral customs are modernising, in part due to the recent global pandemic. The survey reveals that 69% of respondents now believe that broadcasting or livestreaming funerals for those who can’t attend is a good idea. On another note, the days of keeping a good ‘funeral suit’ might be numbered too, now that three in four people believe it’s no longer important to wear black. “I was a bit taken aback by that finding,” Paul Merriman says. “Personally, I’d always wear black to a funeral.”

Putting preparations in place

“It’s encouraging to see that although some lovely funeral traditions are being maintained, there is a positive change in the Irish public’s willingness to discuss their own funeral,” Paul says. “It’s important that these discussions are taken to the next step to ensure you get exactly the funeral you want.”

The team at An Post Insurance are here to help you plan for the future, whatever that might look like for you. That’s why we’ve put together a detailed Funeral Guide, available on our website. It’s got lots of information on:

• The costs of funerals in Ireland
• Planning ahead
• How funeral insurance can help
• Making your will
  

Check out our video with brand ambassador Paul Merriman below for more information.

We’re human about insurance, and that means providing helpful advice that can help you get your affairs in order, long before you need to. Get in touch with us today. We’re here to help with friendly advice, trusted protection and policies that benefit you and your family — even when you’re no longer with us.

^{*Methodology – Insights based on research conducted by RED C on behalf of An Post Insurance, surveying 605 adults aged 50+ across the nation, representative of the Irish population in February 2024. Funeral costs sources are available within the Funeral Guide.}

^{^Full terms and conditions for the Complimentary Will Writing Service promotion are available here. Complimentary Will Writing Service is a service provided by ARAG Legal Protection Limited.}

^{An Post Insurance Home Insurance is underwritten by Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC.}

 ^{An Post Insurance Pet Insurance is arranged and administered by Cover-More Blue Insurance Services Limited and underwritten by H.W. Kaufman Group Europe BV, trading as Cranbrook, on behalf of the insurer, Sava Insurance Company.}

 ^{An Post Insurance is a tied agent of New Ireland Assurance Company plc for life assurance business. Life assurance policies are underwritten and provided by New Ireland Assurance Company plc. A Government levy (currently 1%) applies to all premiums paid.'}