best-funeral-services-amsterdam

These 5 best funeral services in Amsterdam made saying goodbye more meaningful

  • Attention: We chose funeral services that make you feel genuinely supported, carefully listen to your wishes, and guide you thoughtfully without any pressure.
  • Range of services: We considered funeral homes that offer full-service options, including burial, cremation, transportation, and even follow-up support.
  • Wide cultural experience: We included funeral homes that can handle clients with different cultural backgrounds and languages. Plus points for those with translation services, which is ideal for expats.
  • Availability: We checked how quickly the staff respond to calls and emails, especially outside normal business hours.

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is never easy, and planning a funeral on top of that can feel overwhelming. There’s so much to think about, from ceremonies to paperwork.

Luckily, we found the best funeral services in Amsterdam that can take the load off your shoulders. They make planning more manageable, ensuring every detail is handled with care and respect.

If you want to give your loved one a meaningful farewell without the stress, continue reading this blog, as we share the top funeral homes ready to support you every step of the way.

How much does a funeral service cost in Amsterdam?

In Amsterdam, the cost of a funeral service can start at €10,000. Meanwhile, a simple cremation may cost around €3,995, while a cremation with a funeral service may cost around €4,295.

1. Zielhuis Uitvaart

zielhuis-uitvaart

Address: Utrechtsedwarsstraat 85C, 1017 WD Amsterdam

Contact Details: +31 6 26793077
Operating Hours: 

  • Open 24 Hours 

Website

If you’re looking for a small-scale, personal approach to funerals, Zielhuis Uitvaart could be a great option. Founded in 2006, they specialise in arranging funerals, burials, or cremations.

What we love about them is that their support doesn’t stop once the ceremony is over. We appreciate how they help families even after the funeral by connecting them with grief support groups.

Another thing we love is that their lines are open even at night. You can just call them any time, and they’ll assign you a permanent funeral director.

For those with funeral insurance policies, they also make it easy to personalise your arrangements while working within your plan. And we have to mention that we really appreciated seeing their prices upfront. 

Moreover, their services are relatively cheaper than the market average, at around €8,000 compared to €10,000 elsewhere.

Meanwhile, you don’t need to worry about outsourcing anything. This funeral service provider handles all additional details, including funeral cards, flowers, and even transportation.

However, since they’re a small firm, you might have fewer options for very large-scale or highly elaborate funerals.

Pros

  • Small-scale funeral service provider
  • Assigns a permanent funeral director
  • Accommodates urgent calls even at night
  • Transparent pricing

Cons

  • Few options for elaborate funerals
  • Limited access to luxurious memorial items or flowers

Provides clear and concise advice

“Wilma and Robert from Zielshuis Uitvaart helped us organize a beautiful funeral for our best friend with incredible love and care. From the very first conversation, they were always available, thoughtful, and truly stood by us. When he passed away, Wilma cycled late one evening to join us at the hospice—so human and warm. Robert organized an unforgettable farewell at our favorite queer bar, exactly as our friend would have wished. We are deeply grateful to them.”

Rogier Kappers, Google Review

Very attentive to their clients’ wishes

“Zielhuis Uitvaart is a small funeral home that is attentive to your personal wishes and strives to fulfill them within the limits of Dutch law. Try a different kind of funeral ceremony. Wilma and her colleagues will encourage and assist you. Laying the body at home is possible, which is fantastic. You can say goodbye to your loved one at your own time and in accordance with your own needs. You won’t be dependent on the mortuary’s opening hours. You’ll find you’ll never want to do it any other way.”

Norbert Stolwijk, Google Review

2. PC Uitvaart

pc-uitvaart

Address: Ookmeerweg 273, 1067 SP Amsterdam

Contact Details: +31 800 5080
Operating Hours: 

  • Open 24 Hours

Website

If you want a funeral service with decades of experience, then you’ll love that PC Uitvaart has been around since 1931. They also proudly carry the SKU Quality mark, which recognises their expertise and high standards in funeral care.

One thing that we love about them is their focus on sustainable funerals. They’re affiliated with GreenLeave, which tells us that funeral-related products have been tested by the foundation.

Meanwhile, families from different backgrounds also handle Chinese, Surinamese, Islamic, and Hindustani funerals, making them a great choice for multicultural arrangements.

On the day of the funeral, we experienced a few delays with the cremator. We also experienced a few transportation delays, which is something to keep in mind if timing is crucial.

Nonetheless, regarding settling payment, you don’t pay the costs upfront. We love that the invoice arrives later, deducting what the insurance has already covered. You can even pay in instalments.

And if you’re thinking ahead, this funeral service also offers advanced funeral arrangements. They offer three savings options through AfscheidSparen—Basic, Savings Goal, and Savings High.

On the other hand, the facility is also well-equipped. Here, they have both small and large auditoriums, accommodating up to 200 guests.

Pros

  • In the business since 1931
  • Offers sustainable funeral options
  • Multicultural expertise
  • Respectful handling of religious rituals and ceremonies
  • No need to pay upfront
  • Facility can accommodate large gatherings

Cons

  • Possible delays with transportation
  • Some eco-friendly requests may require advance notice

Excellent communication skills

“I want to thank you for the excellent and warm support you provided after my mother’s passing. Everything was perfect. Good communication and truly wonderful people: Corina, Nienke, and certainly Michael (or Michel, I’m not sure what his name is). You guided the farewell with respect, and it couldn’t have gone better. Thank you for your excellent care.”

Mabel Jansen, Google Review

Shows utmost patience throughout the process

“Excellent service! The lady who assisted us was very patient and incredibly kind regarding the extension of my uncle’s grave rights. The gentleman who took us to the grave in a golf cart was also very kind and helpful (we would never have been able to find the grave ourselves). I am very grateful.”

Denise Tavakoli, Google Review

3. Ename Uitvaartzorg

ename-uitvaartzorg

Address: Fred. Roeskestraat 91, 1076 EC Amsterdam

Contact Details: +31 20 646 0606
Operating Hours: 

  • Open 24 Hours

Website

Ename Uitvaartzorg is another long-standing funeral service, in business since 1975. What we love about them is how highly organised everything is, from the consultations down to the actual funeral ceremonies.

Their facilities are quite comprehensive too. Here, you can take advantage of their auditoriums, viewing rooms, and consultation rooms.

They also have a care room, a ritual washing room, and a mortuary, so everything you might need is handled under one roof. Just be ready to pay upfront, as the auditorium and crematorium couldn’t be reserved until the full payment was made.

But we appreciate that you can browse their boutique, which offers urns and cremation accessories if you want to add a personal touch. 

We love how they help families create traditional, modern, or even sustainable funerals with GreenLeave. They can provide you with biodegradable urns and arrange green ceremonies.

However, we came across a few reports of changes being made without client approval. We suggest you keep an eye on that during the funeral service.

Pros

  • Over 30 years in the business
  • Comprehensive facilities
  • Has an on-site boutique
  • Can arrange traditional, modern, and sustainable funerals

Cons

  • Must pay upfront to reserve the crematorium and auditorium
  • Reports of changes being made without client approval

Quick revert

“After my mother’s passing, I immediately contacted Zuid Funeral Home. That same day, Matthieu (the funeral director) came by and arranged everything down to the last detail. On the day of the cremation, we were once again more than satisfied with Matthieu. It was a beautiful and dignified farewell, thanks to Matthieu from Zuid/Ename Funeral Home.”

Michael, Google Review

Provides a clear quotation

“Ename Uitvaartzorg is an excellent service provider. The staff are friendly and clear in their quotes and communication. I found it very pleasant. This was also the first time I had to arrange a funeral for my father. They were clear and transparent about what was and wasn’t covered by their policy.”

Mario Buijtenhek, Google Review

4. Uitvaartbegeleiding Merel Westermann

uitvaartbegeleiding-merel-westermann

Address: Jozef Israëlskade 60, 1073 PX Amsterdam

Contact Details: +31 6 44980703
Operating Hours: 

  • Open 24 Hours

Website

For those of you looking mainly for funeral services without being tied to a specific facility, Uitvaartbegeleiding Merel Westermann could be just what you need.

We love that they’re connected with a variety of funeral spaces, from Huize Frankendael and the Uilenburgersjoel to De Duif, De Hoop Clandestine Church, and the Vondel or Schellingwouder churches.

And if you’re planning something large, Westergas is an option that they recommend for bigger gatherings.

What we really love about working with Merel Westermann is that the experience feels highly personalised. They make sure to accommodate special requests, whether it’s decorations, catering, or transportation.

We also appreciate that they’re respectful of cultural and religious practices, making sure everything is done appropriately.

Plus, they offer an online condolence register. It allows family and friends to share memories, such as pictures, videos, poems, or even songs.

And for non-Dutch speakers, you don’t have to worry, as they can accommodate international families, which makes the process much smoother if language might be a barrier.

It’s worth noting, however, that there have been reports of minor mistakes on documents or paperwork. Double-checking details before finalising is a good idea.

Pros

  • Highly personalised funeral services
  • Connected with multiple beautiful venues
  • Respectful of cultural and religious practices
  • Has an online condolence register
  • Accommodates non-Dutch-speaking families

Cons

  • Occasional minor mistakes on documents or paperwork
  • No in-house facilities

Great coordination with non-Dutch speaking clients

“I would highly recommend Uitvaartbegeleiding Merel Westermann. Our family is not from the Netherlands, and we don’t speak the language. Uitvaartbegeleiding Merel Westermann made the process as easy as possible. They took our ideas and turned them into a beautiful service that perfectly matched what our loved one would have wanted. After the funeral, we received many comments about the uniqueness and detail of the ceremony. I appreciate their ability to work with us and would highly recommend the company to others.”

Uma Sankaram, Google Review

Very thoughtful funeral director

“What a heartwarming and beautiful farewell we were able to say to our sister, thanks to the fantastic guidance of Jolien, our funeral director. She was professional, yet so human and thoughtful. Accurate, dedicated, inspiring, and a gift to create such a beautiful and dignified farewell with her; the condolence card was a perfect example!

Thank you, dear Jolien. I wish you all the best during such a difficult time!”

Monique Roffel, Google Review

5. Ellen Somsen Uitvaartzorg

ellen-somsen-uitvaartzorg

Address: Knokkestraat 76, 1066 WK Amsterdam

Contact Details: +31 6 83634128
Operating Hours: 

  • Open 24 Hours

Website

Ellen Somsen Uitvaartzorg is one of the funeral services that immediately gives you a sense of calm. She runs a small-scale funeral business here in the city and focuses on personal, stylish, and affordable funerals.

What we like most is how easy it is to talk to Ellen directly. From the first call to the final arrangements, you can expect to deal with one contact person (Ellen herself), so there’s no chance of miscommunication.

However, you should note that since Ellen is very hands-on, she can only take on a limited number of families at a time.

On a lighter note, we also love that she takes time to listen to what you want and helps share a ceremony that fits your wishes, rather than pushing pre-set packages.

Additionally, Ellen can arrange your loved one’s care and plan whether you want cremation or a nature memorial, handling the ceremony details such as cards and flowers.

You’ll also love that she’s comfortable working with various locations around Amsterdam and nearby towns, so you can choose a place that feels right for your goodbye.

The best part is that she’s very mindful of your budget. Ellen gives a clear cost overview by the second day. 

Pros

  • Small-scale funeral business
  • Flexible approach to ceremonies
  • Arranges funeral services across Amsterdam and nearby areas

Cons

  • Can only attend to a limited families 
  • Slow timelines if multiple requests come in at once

Regular phone calls and consultations

“Ellen handled our mother’s funeral wonderfully. I found her to be very friendly, understanding, and willing to think along with us in every way. She called back very quickly after our initial request for information and then arranged everything perfectly, with regular phone calls and consultations. Arranging your mother’s funeral is a difficult and emotional process. Ellen was truly supportive and took a lot of worry off our hands.”

Arnout Lansberg, Google Review

Very empathetic

“We found Ellen’s funeral guidance after our mother’s passing to be deeply personal and comforting. Ellen is very empathetic and immediately understood what we and Mom wanted. She arranged everything wonderfully for the funeral. She is open and clear, even regarding the business aspects, and smoothly arranged everything we hadn’t considered. We are glad we found her; we couldn’t have been better placed in these sad circumstances.”

Lois S, Google Review

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