The funeral market - Italy (2025)

1.2 The global market for funeral services

The value of the funeral services market shows steady growth from **** to ****, increasing from $**.** billion to $***.** billion, a percentage increase of **.* percent. This trend is supported by interest in alternative burial options, funeral personalization and advance planning services. However, the industry faces obstacles such as high costs of traditional services, stringent regulations and cultural sensitivities that limit expansion. Innovations related to technologies such as virtual memorials, eco-friendly funerals and biodegradable designs offer new opportunities, while also meeting the growing demand for sustainable solutions. Despite being relatively stable, the market remains influenced by cultural and demographic changes.

Global funeral market revenues World, ****-****, in billions of dollars Source: ****

1.3 The European market

The European market is expected to grow from **** to ****, from €**.** billion to €**.** billion, an increase of **.* percent. This expansion, which is slightly lower than the global expansion, reflects stable demand, influenced by demographic factors specific to Europe and an increased focus on personalized and sustainable services.

Funeral market value forecast Europe, ****-****, € billion Globenewswire

The growing popularity of pre-arranged funerals, prized for their emotional and economic benefits, is reinforcing dependence on professional funeral homes, especially in countries such as Spain, Portugal, and Cyprus. The projected increase in the number of elderly people in Europe, from **.* million in **** to ***.* million in ****, will further fuel demand for services, offering significant opportunities for the industry.

1.4 The Italian market

The turnover of Italian companies in the funeral services sector grew from **** to *****, from *.** billion to *.** billion, a percentage increase of **.* percent. This trend reflects moderate but steady growth, influenced by demographic trends and a gradual increase in spending on funeral services. Estimates based on historical data up to **** confirm the stability of the sector, albeit with a slight slowdown compared to the past.

Turnover of Firms active in funeral services and related activities [***] Italy, ****-****, € billion Istat*Estimated values

Total spending by the Italian population on funeral services increased from **** to *****, from €*.** billion to €*.** billion, a growth of **.* percent. After a decline in ****, a steady recovery is observed until *****, confirming the resilience of the sector. Total population spending on funeral services Italy, ****-****, in billions of euros Istat

2.1 Determinants of demand

To quantify the importance and size of the funeral market in Italy, it is necessary to conduct a demographic analysis, with particular attention to mortality rates, which inevitably are a driver of demand for this market moving in the same direction. In addition, the age distribution and median age of the Italian population are also important factors to consider in order to better understand this market and its customers.

In terms of the number of deaths recorded annually, between **** and ****, deaths increased from ***,*** to ***,***, an increase of **.* percent. Although they have declined from the **** peak (***) caused by the pandemic, the values remain higher than at the beginning of the period.

Evolution of the number of deaths Italy, ****-****, in thousands Istat

The Italian population consists of about ** million people, distributed in ** regions (***), from **.*% to **.*%, and the *-** year-old population, down from **.*% to **.*%, decrease.

Italian population distribution Italy, ****-****, as a percentage of the population Source: ****

In addition, observation of the median age (***) in Italy suggests that the demographic composition of the country has changed from a median of **.* years in **** to a median of **.* years in **** and is expected to reach **.* years in ****[***]. These figures are consistent with the upward trend ...

2.2 Customer demand and characteristics

Demand for funeral services is generally considered inelastic, although not recession-proof. Activity tends to be steady, but with a degree of seasonality, with revenues and profits higher in the winter months when cases of influenza and pneumonia are more prevalent. While the funeral service industry is stable and its long-term prospects are buoyed by the aging baby boomer generation, it still faces some challenges, as noted above, mainly related to the increasing shift toward cremations, which generally produce lower revenue than traditional funerals, and the demands for personalization that clients are increasingly asking for in an effort to create a ceremony that is more "true to them"[***]. In this regard, since replacement costs are really low in this industry, as a customer can move from one funeral home to another at no cost, the determining factors for customers in this market are value for money and professionalism of the service, as well as the human factor, which is represented by an increased demand for personalization of the ceremony.

Funerals can be considered a service that everyone will need to access at some point. Therefore, the number of clients in this sector is high, even considering the continuous increase in mortality rates ...

2.3 Geographical distribution of demand

In ****, the geographical distribution of deaths in Italy shows a higher concentration in the most populous regions with a high average age. Lombardy has the highest number of deaths (***) report the lowest values. The high mortality in regions such as Lombardy, Piedmont, and Emilia-Romagna may reflect both population density and population aging, while the south and islands, while having a lower average age, record significant numbers in regions such as Sicily and Campania.

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Data Table by Territory

2.4 Relevant demand trends

Two main trends are shaping the demand for funeral and related services today, in addition to a slight decrease in the purchasing power of Italians who, given the current situation, prefer to spend less on funerals than in the past.

Increase in popularity of cremation practices

Cremation is the only permanent option that requires no future intervention, while burial concessions last ** years and burial concessions only ** years. it is also a safer option from a hygienic and sanitary point of view.

From **** to ****, there is a gradual decrease in burial, down from ** percent to ** percent, and burial, down from ** percent to ** percent. In contrast, cremation shows steady growth, increasing from **% to **% over the period analyzed.

The difference between inhumation and burial is that in the former, the body of the deceased is buried in the ground, while in the latter, it is placed in a niche within a funerary structure such as a crypt or mausoleum. The following graph shows the evolution of Italians' preferences for the different practices mentioned in the period **** - ****.

Distribution of funeral practices by type Italy, ****-****, in % Source: ****

Low-cost alternatives from foreign countries

Compared to the past, the number of coffin-making firms in Italy has ...

3.1 Market structure

In order to analyze the structure of the funeral market in Italy, enterprises under Ateco Code **.** "Funeral services and related activities" are analyzed. In particular, trends in the number of active enterprises and the number of employees are analyzed, as well as the legal form of the different activities.

Number of enterprises

The number of active enterprises in the funeral services sector in Italy shows steady growth from **** to *****, rising from *,*** to *,***. This trend reflects an expansion of the sector, in line with the increase in demand for funeral services observed in recent years.

Active enterprises under Ateco Code **.** "Funeral services and related activities" Italy, ****-****, in number Istat

Employees At the same time, the number of employees also increased, from **,*** in **** to an estimated **,*** in ****. Employment in active enterprises under Ateco Code **.** "Funeral services and related activities" Italy, ****-****, in thousands Istat Legal form In terms of legal form, most businesses are set up as sole proprietors or self-employed (***). This figure highlights a sector that is still fragmented, but with a significant presence of structured entities. Legal form of active enterprises under Ateco Code **.** "Funeral services and related activities" Italy, ****, % Istat

3.2. Competition and strategy

The funeral market in Italyconsists of a complex composition of local/regional (***), from a business perspective it is possible to generalize the description of the market structure as consisting of three major subsectors[***],

Private funeral directors who are widespread and evenly distributed throughout the country, and sometimes exist as sub-offices or franchises. Honors and Funeral Directors are both part of this subsector. Most of these firms offer between ** and *** funeral services per year Firms with public or mainly public capitali.e., municipalities or municipal enterprises, which are more common in large cities or where the number of funeral services per year is significant. These enterprises are vertically integrated and offer funeral services and cemetery activities, and also autopsy services (***). It should be noted that the Italian market regulator, Antitrust, has expressed concerns about these companies due to unfair competition Non-profit associations theyrepresent only a small part of the market and consist of moral, secular, or religious organizations that provide funeral services, crematories, and make available burial plots in their cemeteries

Finally, the funeral market includes all the companies that produce equipment and goods needed to conduct funeral services. The main companies involved in these activities in Italy are:

3.3 The main actors

The following is a proposed list of the main players active in funeral and cemetery services in Italy:

Funeral services

Imprese San Siro American Funeral s.p.a: founded in ****, is headquartered in Milan, Via Pantano **. The company is a leader in the funeral business, offering a full range of funeral services. It has ** locations distributed throughout the Milan area and operates two innovative funeral homes, located at Via Amantea * and Via Arcangelo Corelli *** in Milan. Over the years, Impresa San Siro has expanded its presence through several strategic acquisitions. For example, in January ****, it acquired ** percent of Onoranze Funebri Serpi Fabio S.r.l. in Besnate (***), and in September ****, it acquired *** percent of TSF S.r.l., a leading operator in the province of Trent. More recently, in November ****, the HOFI Group, of which Impresa San Siro is a part, acquired Onoranze Funebri Lupotti in Moncalieri, thus expanding its presence in Piedmont.

A.S.F.Italia s.r.l.: A.S.F. Italia S.r.l. was founded on November **, ****, and is headquartered in Borgosatollo, in the province of Brescia, at Via del Canneto */*. The company operates in the funeral services sector, providing professional support to companies with a range ...

4.1 Funeral services in Italy

The funeral market in Italy offers a combination of products (***) that can be purchased either as complete packages or as individual services. These services can be requested at the time of death or, in some cases, in advance through customized prepaid funeral plans.

A typical ceremony includes costs related to the funeral director, which include care of the deceased, transportation by hearse, coffin, and professional support. Added to these are third-party expenses, such as those for the religious or secular ceremony, the officiating minister, the burial site, flowers, memorial services, and other necessities. The variety of options and quality of services offered makes it difficult to establish a single cost for the funeral market, as the final price depends heavily on the choices of the client and the funeral home.

Factors influencing funeral costs

The main reasons for cost variability and market fragmentation include:

Lack of transparency in pricing: Funeral homes rarely publish detailed rates, making comparison difficult. Difficulty in comparison: Packages may include different goods and services, complicating comparisons between offers. Regional disparities: Costs vary significantly between Italian regions and local funeral homes. Financial resources: Discrepancies exist between clients' economic possibilities and the average costs charged. Price increases: Funeral prices ...

4.2 Prices

From **** to *****, the consumer price index for funeral services in Italy shows a steady increase, rising from ***.* to ***.* (***). After a phase of relative stability until ****, there is a significant acceleration from ****, influenced by rising costs related to raw materials and services.

Consumer price index for funeral services Italy, ****-****, base *****=*** Istat

The options available in the industry and in the list of options and services that complete the offer of an average funeral service provider in Italy are as follows:

Funeral costs vary by region, with the North averaging higher prices than the South. The personalized funeral is the most expensive everywhere, while the inexpensive funeral presents the greatest affordability in the South. The difference between North and South is significant, with the South generally offering more affordable options.

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4.3 New industry trends

Digitization in the industry[***]:

The profile of people most concerned with online research for funerals of loved ones are young adults, who are part of the **-** age group. This is followed by people aged **-** and then those aged **-**. It is young people, between the ages of ** and **, who care the least, as well as adults over **. There is, however, parity with regard to gender: men and women participate equally in the research.

Geographically, Milan leads with more than **,*** questions (***), where requesting information via the Web for this kind of service is not yet a widespread practice. The three cities, in fact, count about *,*** requests in ** months.

Number of online requests for funeral services by city Italy, ****, % Corriere.it

Lastello.it 's analysis also highlights the following new market trends:

Cremation without a church ceremony Accrual of the expense Dispersal of ashes in a place dear to the deceased Online request for quotes not only for the funeral but also for exhumation or exhumation Sustainability "Personalized" funerals based on the passions of the deceased, such as songs during the ceremony or themed arrangements at the service.

The government has also announced plans to digitize and simplify procedures related to ...

5.1 Market regulatory framework

E the funeral home itself, in order to be authorized to carry out its activities within the limits provided by the territorial planning, must operate in accordance with the UNI EN ***** standard.

The Italian funeral market is regulated in the same way at the state and regional levels and allows for the inclusion of various associations and institutions, such as: FE.N.I.O.F. (***) among others, which work together to ensure the smooth functioning of the market and its evolution.

However, the process of organizing and carrying out funerals is subject to numerous rules and regulations, but there is still no single, legally and socially defined rule. The imperfection and inefficiency of the current regulatory framework is due to the uncertainty related to differences in the weight of legislative power-between the state and regions (***)-and regional and provincial regulatory powers. Over the past decade, several regional measures have been introduced to amend - locally - state legislation, creating a chaotic, complex and disorganized set of laws

At the state level, the definition of "funeral activities" (***) the following services

Processing of administrative procedures The provision of funeral and other funerary items Transportation of corpses or ashes and human bones Care, composition ...

5.2 Conclusion

The global funeral services market shows significant growth, rising from $**.* billion in **** to an expected $*** billion by ****, with a compound annual growth rate (***). In Italy, the sector is also experiencing steady growth, with revenues increasing by **.* percent between **** and ****, supported by an aging population and increased spending on funeral services, although limited by factors such as foreign competition and an increase in cremations.

Italy is a major player in the funeral industry, with a diverse network of local, regional and national companies. However, it faces significant challenges, including the increasing import of low-cost coffins and the rise of cremation to ** percent of funeral practices in ****, up from ** percent in ****. Customer preferences are shifting toward affordable, sustainable, and personalized solutions, with increasing demand for online quotes, installments, and personalized ceremonies based on the passions of the deceased.

The structure of the Italian market is mainly composed of small businesses, with more than ** percent represented by sole proprietorships and **.* percent by limited liability companies. However, the industry is moving toward greater concentration; in fact, the number of firms has increased less than the number of employees. This is also evident in the strategies of companies such as HOFI, which has made numerous acquisitions ...

6.1 Companies

• Imprese San Siro American Funeral s.p.a
• OFT s.p.a
• A.S.F. Italia s.r.l
• Afc Torino s.p.a
• Bologna Servizi Cimiteriali s.r.l
• Azimut s.p.a
• Ferrara Tua s.p.a
• Taffo Srl