Planning your funeral in Geneva: why start now

Why planning ahead truly matters

Planning your funeral in advance is not a morbid gesture: it is an act of care for those who remain. You decide for yourself, calmly, rather than leaving your loved ones to choose in your place without knowing what you would have wanted.

It also means keeping control of your budget. By comparing calmly, away from any urgency, you avoid unnecessary costs and the wide price differences between providers.

Provision account or mandate: two ways to go about it

A funeral provision account is a dedicated account in your name that can only be used for your funeral. It remains yours during your lifetime and guarantees the funds will be available when needed, without weighing on your loved ones or depending on the settlement of the estate.

A mandate means putting your wishes in writing and appointing a trusted person to see them respected. Your loved ones then know exactly what to do, and do not have to guess.

The two approaches combine very well: one secures the funding, the other clarifies your wishes.

The role of your municipality in Geneva

In the canton of Geneva, the framework is set by the cantonal law on cemeteries, and it is your municipality of residence that manages the cemetery and the burial plot. Many municipalities cover all or part of the basic service for their residents.

In Geneva, cremation takes place at the Saint-Georges crematorium, and it is often free for residents of many municipalities. That is why the first useful step is always to check what your municipality provides.

How much to plan for

Across Switzerland, a basic service costs around CHF 3'300, and about CHF 6'000 with full support. But in Geneva, municipal coverage often markedly reduces your actual out-of-pocket cost.

It all depends on your municipality, which is why we detail the situation municipality by municipality.

Financially, two logics complement each other: setting aside the capital needed for one-off costs, which is exactly what a provision account is for, and keeping in mind recurring costs such as renewing a concession. Planning for both means leaving nothing unforeseen to your loved ones.

Where to start

Start with your municipality of residence, then put your wishes in order, even simply. In a few minutes, you can get a personalised diagnosis showing what is left to organise and a rough cost estimate for your municipality.