Rising energy prices and a shortage of raw materials also threaten to make cremations significantly more expensive. Some Flemish crematoria have already increased their prices by 8 to 10 percent. “A price increase in the entire sector is inevitable, so I’m a bit worried,” says Johan Dexters of the Funebra sector federation.
After the funeral industry has been confronted with corona restrictions for the past two years, it now faces a new challenge. Energy costs have quadrupled for many companies and on top of that are rising wage costs and a shortage of raw materials. “Everyone is being beaten around the ears with price increases, so are we. Everything in life is becoming more expensive for everyone,” says Thomas Heiremans of Uitvaartunie.
Funebra chairman Johan Dexters therefore expects that entrepreneurs will pass on the price increases to customers, so that cremations in particular will become considerably more expensive. “In Wallonia we are already seeing the price increase well, in Flanders it is not yet so pronounced. But I do expect it to come in the next few months. If we look at indexation and wage increases, we would arrive at an increase of 8 percent, which would mean an immense impact. But it is still coffee grounds to see where we will actually end up,” it sounds.
Traditional burial
According to Heiremans, many Flemish crematoria have already raised their prices. “We see that there are centers that have become between 8 and 10 percent more expensive. We hope that the government will take steps to keep the economy in this country going and provide oxygen to businesses, because the price increases are having a major impact on everyone.”
Last year in Belgium three out of four deaths were cremated. But according to Bram Coussement of Sereni, a group of funeral directors, people may return to a traditional burial again. “People often have the irrational feeling that cremation is cheaper than burial, but given the current situation, that is not always the case,” it sounds.
Funebra, on the other hand, expects a change in the ways in which a funeral is arranged. “During the Covid crisis, people have discovered that all those bells and whistles are not necessary and that a farewell in an intimate circle is also very beautiful. The spending pattern has changed and now inflation is added,” said Dexters.
In addition to index jump, Flemish entrepreneurs also request government support to reduce energy bills (+)
Vivaldi parties want wealth tax to prop up purchasing power: Vooruit wants to increase tax for companies with profiteering profits to 35 percent (+)
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