From handling the necessary paperwork to advising you on the best materials for the coffin and tombstone and taking care of the funeral's every detail, nobody is more equipped in supporting you during this difficult time than an undertaker.

Discover undertakers across the island with Yellow. Sort your results according to your needs and find the funeral home closest to you. Have a look at websites, opening hours, photo galleries and contact information.

Death Certificate and Formalities

A few days following the death of your loved one, you will need to register the death at the Public Registry. You may go in person or you may request a death certificate online via the relevant government website. You need to have the deceased's Identity Card available, together with proof of death in the form of a death certificate issued by the hospital or by your local parish church. Certificates may be requested in an extract format or in full, each carrying different costs. The death certificate will then be issued in around four weeks' time from the date of notification.

Funeral Preparation

Funerals tend to allow little time for preparation. With this in mind, an undertaker can help you organise the funeral of your loved one, provide you with support during this time and can take care of all practical matters on your behalf. From handling all the paperwork to placing obituary and funeral notices and organising the church service, undertakers can also make arrangements for burial procedures including the preparation of the burial site, providing the hearse, ordering funeral flowers and wreaths and printing custom funeral stationery.

The cost of a funeral varies depending on the type of coffin and tombstone selected, as well as other things like whether embalming of the deceased is requested. Some typical costs to consider include administrative and logistical expenses, additional coffin bearers, accompanying cars for relatives and charges pertaining to the transportation of the deceased should the death take place in a private residence.

Coffins and Caskets

Coffins and caskets come in all types, sizes and materials, while they can be either locally made or imported. Coffins are usually made out of solid wood or veneered MDF with a matte or glossy finish. Customers can also opt to include various ornaments like handles and a wooden or metal crucifix, whereas some undertakers also offer cremation caskets and biodegradable coffins.

Burial options

Burials can take place either in private or government graves. Graves can be purchased, however, doing so is difficult since these are very often passed on from generation to the next, whereas the ever increasing shortage of burial space has made acquiring these graves almost impossible.

Although cremation in Malta is not available, there are funeral homes that can help you organise the cremation of your loved ones abroad. Quite naturally, this alternative is much more expensive in comparison to traditional burial when considering the additional costs involved such as airfreight reservation for the coffin, airport handling and security, collection and transportation of the coffin in the country of destination or the additional paperwork required.

One last option that some undertakers offer is burial at sea. This is a particular appealing alternative to those that do not wish to be buried in a government grave or have no access to a private burial plot.

Tombstones and Headstones

Placed over a grave, tombstones and headstones commemorate the loved one who has passed away by having the deceased's name, date of birth and date of death inscribed on them, whereas very often a prayer, a personal message or a dedication of some sort is also included. Another common element is having the person's photo. Materials vary and the cost highly depends on what has been selected. Durability is another key component when considering that a tombstone is exposed to the elements all year round. For this reason, popular options in Malta tend to be marble and granite. For instance, honed granite needs less maintenance than polished granite. Some people prefer unusual and modern materials such as concrete, wood, bronze, sandstone, limestone, slate or iron. Your undertaker, funeral director or funeral home will be able to advise you accordingly.