'Mahal mabuhay, mahal din mamatay': How much does it cost to have a proper funeral in the Philippines today?
Filipinos often say, “Mahal mabuhay, pero mahal din mamatay.” Lois Eunice Salazar didn’t realize the full weight of these words until she lost not one, but four family members in a span of just one year due to critical illnesses.
She first lost her father in March 2023. Without getting the chance to fully process the loss, she lost two more relatives: her uncle in June, and her cousin the following month. And just when they thought the worst was over, another uncle left them in May 2024.
“It was one of the hardest seasons of our lives—losing one loved one after another, all within just a year,” she opened up to PhilSTAR L!fe.
While she shared that they eventually found the strength to carry on, the impact of such losses cut deep.
“For every loss, we spent around P150,000 to P400,000—hospital bills, medicines, funeral, burial… everything added up so fast,” Salazar said. “Some even reached higher because of prolonged hospitalization. It was very heavy for us. We really weren’t financially ready for that kind of pain and cost.”
“You can never truly prepare for the emotional pain of losing someone—but when you’re financially unprepared, too, the grief becomes even deeper. You feel helpless, like you’re drowning in both sorrow and bills,” she continued.
According to her, the hospital bills and medications were the hardest to manage. “We borrowed money, delayed payments, even set aside some of our own needs just to make sure our loved ones were laid to rest properly. We wanted to give them a dignified goodbye, even if it meant carrying the burden longer,” she said.
“What hurt the most was that we couldn’t grieve freely. Instead of mourning, we were calculating. Instead of resting, we were figuring out where to get the next payment. It’s something no family should ever go through,” she added.
Salazar’s family isn’t the only one that faced financial hardships due to the overwhelming costs of funerals—and what makes everything even more difficult is that the prices seem to rise steadily as the years go by.
How much would you need for a proper funeral?
When a family member dies, Filipinos typically commemorate the person's life by holding a wake that lasts for three to seven nights. During this time, the body is displayed at the house of the deceased or a funeral home before being buried at the cemetery.
Meerly Peiyiik Reyes, co-founder and funeral director of Mont Eden Memorial Chapels, explained that a funeral involves several stages, and each one comes with its own set of expenses that families “often don’t anticipate until the moment arrives.”
Below are some of the typical costs and their estimated prices, according to Reyes.
Aside from burial, a cheaper alternative to honor the deceased is cremation, which Reyes said generally involves fewer steps but still carries several essential cost components.
Planning ahead
Despite cremation being a more affordable option than a burial, a lot of Filipino families still choose the latter because it “holds deep emotional and cultural meaning,” according to Reyes.
“There’s comfort in having a physical resting place to visit: a space to light candles, bring flowers, and feel close to loved ones. It’s also deeply rooted in faith and family tradition, making burial more than a final act—it’s a continuation of love and remembrance,” she explained.
Analyn Bonaobra, sales director of Loyola Memorial Parks, told L!fe that back when she started selling memorial lots in Antipolo in 2017, a lawn lot was only P25,000 and a family estate was around P600,000.
Fast forward to today, Bonaobra said that the prices have “remarkably appreciated.”
Lawn lots now cost P70,000 to P102,000, while family estates are now priced between P2.5 million to P2.65 million. In their Marikina branch, lawn lots cost P230,000 and above, and columbariums range from P98,000 to P160,000. In their Sucat branch, lawn lots start at P240,000 and up.
According to Bonaobra, the reason why prices of memorial lots increase over time is that land continuously appreciates in value.
“The demand remains strong because our lives are inevitable, and people now realize the importance of planning ahead,” she said.
Saying goodbye will always be painful, but being prepared can make the road a little less heavy. While no one wants to think about death while living, Bonaobra highlighted that planning ahead and investing early can spare families from the added heartbreak of financial distress.
“Whether for future use or as a long-term investment, now is the best time to secure your lot while prices are still accessible,” she advised.
Reyes echoed the same sentiment, emphasizing how pre-need memorial planning “allows you to choose your preferred services while you’re still able to decide and ease emotional and financial pressure on your family when the time comes.”
“It’s important to be careful where you purchase your memorial or life plan. Many funeral homes sell pre-need plans without a license from the Insurance Commission,” she warned. “Only a handful of pre-need companies are authorized to sell legitimate plans, so always verify before you buy.”
“Many so-called ‘life plans’ may promise locked-in prices, but customers later discover that the package they purchased is no longer available or requires an upgrade at current rates, adding stress instead of relief. Others encounter poorly maintained chapels or limited service coverage. So, do your homework, ask questions, and trust your instincts. If a deal sounds too good to be true—it probably is,” she continued.
You can check if your chosen provider is officially accredited through this link.
Within your means, from your heart
With the Philippines’ family-centered culture, many strive to give their deceased loved ones a proper funeral even if it means stretching their finances to the limit—or worse, going into debt.
“Many families make financial sacrifices: shortening the wake, choosing simpler arrangements, or opting for cremation because of practicality and cost,” said Reyes.
Some, however, do the opposite out of love. “Sadly, the funeral industry has even gained a reputation for using emotional vulnerability to upsell. Questions like ‘How much do you love your family?’ should never be used to manipulate grief,” she pointed out.
For Reyes, what matters most at the end of the day is “sincerity, not extravagance.”
“To truly honor a loved one, it has to be within your means and from your heart,” she continued, “because farewell should never be about how much you spend—but about how much love and care you give in remembering.”