There are many considerations that must be taken into account when it comes to dying. How much does a coffin cost? What is the price of cremation in the Philippines? Dying could really be expensive so it is important to plan ahead and do some research on some funeral services and their respective prices. Additionally, you can read this post here.
Sean Martin D. Plantado, head of customer service at Digido.ph, notes that death is such a taboo issue in the Philippines that people are not comfortable even thinking about it, much less saving money for it. Nevertheless, funerals are a very expensive event.
Memorial Park in Manila
Manila Memorial Park, which opened in 1964, is considered the pioneer of the memorial park concept in the city and established the modern-day crematorium setup. It remains a forerunner in the business of creating spaces that appeal to many customers. It currently has six well-maintained locations.
When you browse the website’s Product Section, you will see three different products that they offer: lawn lots, garden units, and family estates. However, the Sucat Park burial grounds are currently full but available for resale. According to their main office representative, resales of one burial lot, which holds two caskets or body vaults, can vary depending on the lot’s proximity to the gate. The closer you are to the gate, the higher the price, which can reach Php 200,000. Further lots typically resell for around Php 150,000.
There are numerous choices for columbarium niches where the urns are placed. Prices vary for eye-level rows, bottom rows, and top rows. The ones at eye level are the most expensive, with a spot cash price of Php 124,655 of which a five-year monthly installment option is available. One-time payments are eligible for a 5% discount. Bottom row niches are Php 114,763 and top row niches are Php 76,542. Cremation services cost Php 25,000, while urn prices could be at least Php 3,000.
Arlington Crematory and Memorial Chapels
Nestor Lopez Jose founded Arlington in 1982 with the goal of providing memorial services with the utmost care and compassion for bereaved families. It’s no surprise that the company’s memorial services are meticulous in every detail. Everything is carefully considered and managed by the well-trained staff, from “miscellaneous” items like flower arrangements, mass cards, and pamphlets to more critical matters like embalming and cosmetics, and the service’s program.
The cost of a burial package is determined by your casket style, and each package includes the entire memorial service. A steel casket could cost Php 239,200 to Php 559,200; Php 719,200 for a solid copper casket imported from the United States; Php 1,199,200 for a solid bronze casket imported from the United States; and Php 2,399,200 for a solid bronze casket imported from the United States.
Their cremation packages range from Php 119,200 for square type urns and viewing maple caskets; and Php 159,200 to Php 319,200 for vase type urns of which different caskets options are available.
Memorial Park Loyola
Loyola Memorial Park was founded in 1969 to serve Filipinos with varying needs and financial capacities. They have numerous branches spread throughout Manila.
Cremation services begin at Php 150,000 and include four days of viewing as well as a presentation package. Direct cremation, on the other hand, costs Php 70,000 without the viewing. Prior to cremation, a rented casket is used, and aluminum urns are used. Pick-up, embalming, four days of viewing, and the use of the 35-seater chapel are all included in funeral services.
Parish of Santuario de San Antonio
This parish, which is right next to San Antonio Plaza, is probably home to the majority of Makati residents. San Antonio Parish’s columbarium has long been one of the top choices for Manila’s prominent families.
There is a columbarium area that has been there for decades, but management was able to build a new columbarium with 1,400 niches in recent years. According to an administration representative, only 800 niches remain in this new wing, as the old wing is completely full. Four urns can fit in one niche. For the price of each row, Row A or the top row costs Php 175,000; Row B costs Php 250,000; Row C costs Php 200,000; Row D costs Php 150,000; and Row E costs Php 125,000.
Note that price increases may be implemented while renovations are being completed. Because the parish does not organize special memorial services, the family has to do it themselves. The chapel is available for wakes at a cost of Php 9,000 to Php 10,000 per night, with one chapel seating up to 50 people. Two chapels can simply be adjoined to accommodate 100 people for larger families.
Santa Maria Della Strada Parish
The Katipunan area’s community parish was established in 1981. The columbarium is located just outside the church’s perimeter and is very picturesque, with lush plants and a centerpiece fountain. The parish has a total of 1,600 niches in the columbarium and the entire columbarium is nearly sold out, with only seven niches remaining. One of its niches can hold four to six urns, depending on their size.
Della Strada, like Santuario de San Antonio, does not provide memorial services. Two chapels can be rented for wakes. The smaller one sleeps 50 and costs Php 11,000 per night, while the larger one sleeps 70 and costs Php 12,000 per night. The price for the top row is Php 150,000 while the middle and bottom rows cost Php 125,000. If you are planning to be buried in the future in Della Strada, then you should know that there is a reservation fee of 20 percent of the niche price, which is valid for one month.
Heritage Memorial Park
This memorial park in Fort Bonifacio bills itself as the country’s premier memorial service provider due to its extensive list of services and high-quality facilities that were relatively new when it opened in 2001. Since then, the park has maintained its reputation as a favorite of those with refined tastes. The expansive grounds are marked by grand estates, which give the entire area the feel of an exclusive village. Apart from the lush surroundings, Heritage Memorial Park also offers packages that are as well-kept as its lawns.
To begin, there are numerous memorial packages available, depending on your preferences. Lawn lots are the most common type of burial space, whereas garden lots are much larger and can accommodate up to 16 body vaults or caskets. Finally, for those looking for a little something extra for their family, The Estate Lot can accommodate up to 32 body vaults. There is also an option for a mausoleum.
For a lawn lot space, it starts at Php 224,000; Garden lot starts at Php 2,224,000; and Estate lot starts at Php 20,160,000.
Moving on to the columbarium, which appears to be the go-to nowadays, the official website highlights the floral-themed Aeternum Columbary, which is described as a lush haven.
The price for Row A/G is Php 150,720; Row B/F costs Php 173,430; Row C/E costs Php 195,990; and Row D costs Php 230,000. As for the wake packages, the standard is three nights at the chapel but there are also one-day options. Their wake price range is from Php 165,000 to Php 400,000.
Christ the King Church
Christ the King, or CTK, was founded in 1979 and has served as the parish of choice for residents of the surrounding area. According to a representative from the parish’s main office, the parish has a columbarium with 4,000 niches. Unfortunately, anyone who might have been interested in a spot has already been taken. However, if there is an opening in the future, you might be interested in their price range. Their top row costs Php 60,000, the bottom row costs Php 70,000, while the middle row costs Php 80,000.
Now that you know the price of cremation in the Philippines and other funeral services involved, you must start saving for this inevitable future.
