An adult cremation at Santiago's General Cemetery costs CLP 1,136,498 in November 2026, and a retiree's, CLP 688,819, according to the cemetery's price table. Both include the urn and the CLP 17,300 fee for the regional health authority (Seremi de Salud). In Concepción, the General Cemetery's crematorium charges CLP 1,750,000 for the full service, or CLP 1,450,000 if arranged in advance, according to Sabes.cl.
On top of that may come the final resting place for the ashes, such as a niche or a cinerary garden, and funeral home services. To cover part of the cost, there is the AFP funeral allowance (cuota mortuoria) of up to 15 UF, about CLP 619,000. This guide explains how much a cremation costs in Chile, what it includes, the documents required and the aid available.
View the data as a table
| Adult cremation | CLP 1,136,498 |
| Retiree cremation | CLP 688,819 |
| Ashes in the cinerary garden | CLP 589,662 |
| Cap on the AFP funeral allowance | CLP 619,352 |
How much a cremation costs in Chile by place
| Service | Price | Source and date |
|---|---|---|
| Adult cremation, General Cemetery (Santiago) | CLP 1,136,498 | General Cemetery, November 2026 |
| Retiree cremation, General Cemetery | CLP 688,819 | General Cemetery, November 2026 |
| Child cremation up to age 6, General Cemetery | 8 UTM (CLP 579,520) | Cemetery's services page |
| Concepción Crematorium, regular price | CLP 1,750,000 | Sabes.cl, first half of 2026 |
| Concepción Crematorium, pre-arranged | CLP 1,450,000 | Sabes.cl, January 2026 |
Sources: General Cemetery and its cremation services page; Sabes.cl for Concepción. The child price in pesos is a Vivarae News calculation using the November 2026 UTM (CLP 72,440).
Cemetery prices are not fully comparable: the General Cemetery's covers only the cremation with urn, while Concepción's is a "full cremation service". Private memorial parks and funeral homes sell plans with different services included, so ask for a detailed quote.
A discrepancy between the General Cemetery's two pages
The General Cemetery's services page says adult cremation ranges from 9 to 15 UTM and that pensioners can get a 41% discount, while its price table lists CLP 1,119,198 for adults and CLP 671,519 for retirees before the health authority fee. At November's UTM, 15 UTM equals CLP 1,086,600, somewhat less than the table. For an exact quote, confirm with the cemetery.
What it costs to keep the ashes
After the cremation, the family decides where the ashes go. At the General Cemetery, the options are the cinerary garden, a cinerary vault or a columbarium niche. If the cremation took place elsewhere and the ashes are to be buried in a plot already purchased, an extra fee applies.
| Resting place for ashes (General Cemetery) | UTM | Pesos (November 2026 UTM) |
|---|---|---|
| Cinerary garden | 8.14 | CLP 589,662 |
| Perpetual columbarium niche | 6.18 to 11.33 | CLP 447,679 to CLP 820,745 |
| Burial of ashes cremated elsewhere | 2.52 | CLP 182,549 |
Source: General Cemetery; peso conversion by Vivarae News. The family can also keep the ashes; to scatter them in public places, check health and municipal rules.
What the cremation price includes at the General Cemetery
According to the General Cemetery, cremations are individual and end with the ashes being handed to the family. The price includes the urn, either a traditional copper one or a biodegradable one with a tree. Before the cremation, the family can hold a ceremony in the cemetery's ecumenical room, which has sound and background music.
- Get a quote: at the cemetery office, through the online quote form or by phone at 22 637 7914, according to its website.
- Arrange it in advance: you can register your last wishes and pay ahead.
- Choose where the ashes go: cinerary garden, cinerary vault or columbarium niche, or take them home.
The General Cemetery is run by the Municipality of Recoleta. Private memorial parks and funeral homes sell cremation plans with transport, wake and paperwork included, at different prices; always ask for the details in writing before signing.
Paperwork and documents for a cremation in Chile
According to the General Cemetery, these documents are required to arrange a cremation. It must be authorized by the regional health authority, a step the cemetery includes in its price.
- Medical death certificate (photocopy).
- Burial authorization from the Civil Registry.
- ID cards of the deceased and of the person handling the paperwork.
- Statement of last wishes of the deceased. If there is none, the spouse can authorize it with the family booklet; if there is no spouse, the closest descendants, proving kinship.
Cremation can also be arranged in advance, registering your wishes, at the General Cemetery or in Concepción, which offers a lower price for advance contracts and an extra 10% off for members of partner institutions such as Caja Los Andes, according to Sabes.cl.
Help paying for a cremation: the funeral allowance
The funeral allowance (cuota mortuoria) is an AFP benefit that reimburses funeral costs up to 15 UF, about CLP 619,352 at the UF of November 8, 2026 (CLP 41,290.15), according to the Pensions Superintendency. It is paid from the deceased member's account balance; if the balance is below 15 UF and the person received the universal guaranteed pension (PGU), the state pays the difference.
| Aid | Amount | Who claims it |
|---|---|---|
| Funeral allowance (AFP) | Up to 15 UF (about CLP 619,352) | Whoever proves they paid for the funeral; a direct relative receives the amount, others the cost proven |
| Death allowance (IPS) | Depends on the scheme | For members of the old pension system and other beneficiaries |
Sources: Pensions Superintendency, AFP Capital and ChileAtiende. With the full funeral allowance, a family could cover more than half of an adult cremation at the General Cemetery and nearly all of a retiree's. For other everyday costs, see how much a civil wedding costs or how much the PGU is.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cremation cost in Chile?
At Santiago's General Cemetery, CLP 1,136,498 for an adult and CLP 688,819 for a retiree, with urn and health authority fee, in November 2026.
How much does it cost to cremate a child?
At the General Cemetery, 8 UTM for children up to age 6: CLP 579,520 at the November 2026 UTM.
Is cremation cheaper for retirees?
Yes. At the General Cemetery it costs CLP 688,819, versus CLP 1,136,498 for an adult.
What documents are needed for a cremation?
Medical death certificate, burial authorization, ID cards and the deceased's last wishes or the family's authorization.
What is the funeral allowance?
A reimbursement of funeral costs paid by the AFPs, capped at 15 UF.
