What to Do When a Loved One Passes Away in Málaga Province
Losing a loved one in a foreign country can be overwhelming. If you’re a British expat or English-speaking resident living in Málaga or elsewhere in Andalucía, knowing what to do in those first hours and days is crucial. This guide explains, step-by-step, what actions to take immediately after a death in Spain and how Serenity Funeral Services can help make the process as smooth and respectful as possible.
First Steps After a Death
When someone passes away, the first thing you must do is call emergency services (dial 112) or a local doctor. A medical professional will confirm the death and issue a medical death certificate (certificado médico de defunción) – a vital legal document that includes the time, date, and place of death.
If the death occurs at home, call emergency medical services. If it happens in a hospital or care facility, staff will typically manage this step for you.
Always Contact the Funeral Home First – Not the Insurance Company
Once the death is certified, you should immediately contact your chosen funeral director – not your insurance provider. Many people wrongly believe they must call the insurer first, but doing so can create confusion or result in being pushed toward pre-contracted funeral companies that may not reflect your wishes.
By calling a trusted funeral director first – like Serenity Funeral Services – they will:
Coordinate everything on your behalf
Handle the insurer directly, if there is a funeral insurance policy
Ensure your family’s needs and preferences are respected
Why this matters:
The funeral home works for you. They tailor services to your needs, budget, and wishes.
The insurer works for themselves. They may limit your options to contracted providers.
In summary:
Death certificate: Issued by the doctor. Essential for all legal steps.
Funeral director: Contact directly. They will organise the transfer to a funeral home and coordinate everything.
Insurance: Let the funeral director handle it. They will submit the required paperwork and secure payment from the insurer.
Tip: Serenity can also collect the death certificate for you and guide you every step of the way, allowing you to focus on grieving and your family.
Registering the Death in the Civil Registry
Spanish law requires you to register the death at the local Civil Registry (Registro Civil) within 24 hours. In many cases, Serenity or your chosen funeral director can complete this step for you.
You’ll need:
The original medical death certificate
A copy of the deceased’s passport or ID/NIE
The official death registration form (provided by the Civil Registry or downloadable online)
Once this is done, you’ll receive the official death certificate, which is legally required to obtain burial or cremation authorisation. Until this is complete, the funeral cannot legally take place.
Cremation vs Burial in Andalucía
In Spain, both traditional burials and cremations are legal and widely available. While burials have historically been more common in Andalucía due to cultural and religious tradition, cremation is increasingly popular among expats and locals alike – especially because it is often more affordable.
Key facts:
Both burial and cremation involve similar costs overall (funeral home services, coffin, transport, flowers, legal paperwork)
Spanish law requires all cremations to take place in a closed coffin
After cremation, ashes are returned in an urn. These can be kept, placed in a columbarium (urn niche), or – if allowed – scattered in the sea or countryside with permission
Note: Ashes cannot be freely scattered in public places like parks, rivers, or beaches without authorisation. Scattering at sea is allowed but must take place over 3km from the coast and with a biodegradable urn.
Cost differences:
The final cost difference between burial and cremation is usually small. What makes the biggest difference is:
Type of coffin
Add-ons like flowers, ceremony extras, and cemetery/niche fees
Affordable and Personalised Funeral Services
Planning a funeral can feel financially daunting – especially abroad. In Spain, funerals typically cost several thousand euros. However, there are affordable packages and providers like Serenity who offer simple, respectful options tailored to your needs.
Tips to reduce costs:
If possible, take out funeral insurance in advance
Choose a simple coffin (eco or basic designs)
Adapt the length of the wake or chapel use to your budget
Today, many families prefer to add personal touches without overspending – photos, music, readings, or symbolic gestures can be included without high costs. Serenity offers completely customisable ceremonies to reflect the life and values of your loved one.
Make sure you request a detailed quote that includes everything:
Funeral home and mortuary care
Transport
Paperwork and legal documents
Chapel or cremation services
Additional Services: Repatriation and More
Some expat families may wish to send the body or ashes back to the UK or another country. Serenity can handle this entire process, including:
International repatriation coordination
Certified translations of documents
Embalming and transport authorisation
This is less common among Spanish nationals but often important to foreign families who want their loved one laid to rest back home.
Other services include:
Legal guidance (help with wills, inheritance paperwork, and Social Security cancellation)
Religious or secular ceremonies based on your family’s wishes
How Serenity Funeral Services Helps
With offices in Málaga and coverage across Andalucía, Serenity offers a full-service, multilingual approach to help expats and international families navigate Spanish funeral procedures.
Why families choose Serenity:
Available 24/7, every day of the year
Fluent in English, Spanish, and 10+ languages
Experience in local and international funerals, including cremation, burial, and repatriation
Transparent pricing with cremation packages starting from €1,500
They manage:
Medical and civil paperwork
Body transportation and funeral arrangements
Cremation or burial coordination
Contact with insurance companies (if applicable)
Their mission is to remove the burden of bureaucracy, provide compassionate support, and ensure your loved one receives the respectful farewell they deserve.
In Summary
If someone close to you dies in Málaga or anywhere in Andalucía:
Get the death certified by a doctor
Call your chosen funeral home first – not the insurer
Let the funeral home handle the paperwork and legal steps
Decide between cremation or burial (both are common and affordable)
Know that Serenity Funeral Services is here to help – with or without insurance, and whether your plans are simple or personalised
We’ll walk beside you from the very first call.
