Metro Manila, Philippines — To live is costly, but the price of dying can be just as high.
For many Filipino families living in poverty, the loss of a loved one brings not only the sorrow of parting but also the financial strain of funeral expenses, which can become a heavy toll during an already difficult time. The most basic funeral package can feel like an insurmountable burden for families struggling to make ends meet.
Ronalyn Tugbong’s family is currently holding a wake for her brother, John Albert, who passed away on October 21 due to lung complications. She says that their grief is compounded by the pressure of funeral expenses.
“I am heartbroken over my brother’s passing,” Ronalyn shared in Filipino during a report by Lance Mejico on NewsWatch Plus. “It’s still hard to accept, especially since our mother passed away just two years ago.”
Despite the simplicity of their wake, the Tugbong family faces significant financial challenges. The cost for the casket, funeral arrangements, and other necessities totals approximately PHP 35,000, an amount they are struggling to meet through donations from friends and relatives. Additionally, they require another PHP 7,000 for an apartment tomb for John Albert's final resting place.
“The donations aren’t enough for us to get through the day,” Ronalyn explained. “What little we gather needs to be set aside to pay for the casket.”
For families like the Tugbongs, even with financial aid from well-wishers, the cost of a funeral can be overwhelming. Delays in payment can lead to extended wakes, with some families waiting for days or even weeks before they can afford to bury their loved one.
According to Veronica Memorial Chapel in Pasay, even the most basic funeral services come with a price tag of around PHP 28,000. This package typically includes the casket, body pickup, embalming, cosmetic application, and registration for the death certificate and burial permit.
“The prices for most basic services have remained steady, but some costs, such as transport and electricity, have increased,” explained Rhino Espiridion, the chapel’s CEO. “Transport costs, for instance, have risen from PHP 100 to PHP 120 per kilometer due to increased fuel and toll prices.”
Other optional expenses, such as chapel rentals for wakes, can range from PHP 5,000 to PHP 10,000 per day, a rate that many families cannot afford, prompting them to hold wakes in their own homes.
The Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the average number of deaths per day in the Philippines is 1,862, translating to a crude death rate of 6.1 per 1,000 people in the population.
Golden Haven Memorial Park notes that funeral expenses can start as low as PHP 8,000 to PHP 15,000 for the most basic services, while mid-range funeral packages may reach up to PHP 250,000. High-end packages can begin at around PHP 300,000 and can go as high as PHP 500,000.
Is cremation a cheaper option?
Cremation, the process of reducing a body to ashes through burning, may be seen as a more cost-effective alternative to traditional burials. However, for those not financially prepared, the costs can still pose a significant burden. Data from Golden Haven indicates that prices for cremation services range from PHP 70,000 to PHP 140,000. Urns vary in price from PHP 2,500 to PHP 17,000, depending on the materials used.
Direct cremation services are estimated at PHP 65,000, while cremation with urn viewing is also around PHP 65,000. Cremation with casket viewing can cost approximately PHP 140,000.
Options for families in need
Faced with these mounting expenses, many low-income families turn to public assistance programs for support. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) offers financial help through the Assistance for Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, which provides immediate cash assistance of up to PHP 10,000 for qualified beneficiaries.
“Families can visit our office with the necessary documents, such as the death certificate and funeral contract,” said DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao. “For expenses over PHP 10,000, we issue a guarantee letter to cover the remaining costs.” However, some families remain unaware of these services or are discouraged by the bureaucratic requirements involved.
A proposal currently in the Philippine Senate seeks to offer free funeral services to families classified as “extremely poor.” This pending bill aims to alleviate the financial burden on low-income households struggling to cover basic funeral costs. Although the legislation has yet to advance, it has the potential to provide relief to families like the Tugbongs.
For the Tugbongs and countless other Filipino families, the high costs associated with death are a stark reminder of the harsh realities of poverty. Yet, despite these challenges, Ronalyn holds on to hope for a better future for her nieces and nephews left behind by her brother.
“I dream that, somehow, my nieces and nephews can have a better life,” Ronalyn reflects. “The least I can do now is try to give their father a decent farewell, even if it means gathering coins and donations every day.”
For many struggling Filipino families, the final farewell for a loved one serves as a sobering reminder of the financial burdens tied to living—and dying—in poverty.
NewsWatch Plus correspondents Lance Mejico and Tristan Nodalo contributed to this report.