ROTTERDAM, 19 June 2024 – Recent research reveals that South Holland remains the most expensive province for burial costs in the Netherlands. The findings show significant variations in burial and cremation expenses across the country.

South Holland leads in burial costs in 2024

Research by Monuta highlights that two-thirds of the Dutch population now opts for cremation, driven by diverse reasons. However, there is a general lack of awareness among the Dutch regarding the financial implications of choosing burial or cremation, especially concerning location. In South Holland, the average cost for a single private grave on a cemetery is €4,665, an increase from €4,502 in 2023, making it the most expensive province in the Netherlands. For a cremation with the use of a ceremony hall, the average cost in the province is €1,626, up from €1,542 in 2023. These prices vary significantly by municipality and location, with national averages standing at €3,708 for a grave and €1,646 for a cremation.

Importance of discussing costs

Monuta stresses the importance of having open conversations about farewell arrangements and associated costs while still alive. CEO Quinten Fraai emphasises, "Losing a loved one is intense. Being able to personalise the farewell is crucial for the grieving process, and it is helpful if the financial aspects are prearranged. Many people are unaware of the costs involved and the considerable differences per municipality and location. This annual survey aims to make these costs transparent, enabling discussions with loved ones. This way, you can be better prepared for the expenses and the financing of your farewell."

Local pricing variations

The costs for burial and cremation are determined by individual municipalities, cemeteries, and crematoria. They also set the duration of grave rights, burial costs, maintenance fees, and annual price indexation. The included services vary by location, making comparison challenging for consumers. Fraai advises, "It's important to understand the different services offered while still alive. Our local Monuta funeral directors can assist in shaping a farewell, but it’s more convenient to explore these options while you are still active in life. We are happy to help with this now."

Complexity of pricing and local differences

The first decision is whether to choose burial or cremation, with costs differing by location. On average, South and North Holland are the most expensive for graves, costing €4,665 and €4,634 respectively. Cremation, however, is less costly in these provinces compared to other parts of the country. Overijssel tops the list for cremation costs, averaging €1,880. The municipal cemetery at Bookholtlaan in Losser, Twente, remains the cheapest in the country, with a 20-year grave costing €861.

This year, three new municipalities have entered the top ten most expensive for graves: Rijssen-Holten, Haarlemmermeer, and Zwartewaterland. The national average for a municipal private grave is €3,708, up from €3,519 in 2023. The municipal cemetery Esserveld in Groningen is the most expensive, with a 30-year grave costing €8,895.

Rotterdam, 8 November 2023 – A social experiment conducted across various Dutch cities, including Rotterdam, reveals intriguing insights into the behaviour of citizens when encountering lost teddy bears.

Rotterdam's response to lost teddy bears

A recent study, focused on the reactions of Dutch citizens to finding lost teddy bears, found that 40% of Rotterdam's residents took the initiative to reunite these lost items with their child owners. This figure slightly surpasses the national average of 38%. The experiment involved strategically placing 140 teddy bears in 14 major Dutch cities, each bear labeled with a child's name and a contact number.

Teddy bear experiment: Rotterdam's response

National comparison and gender differences

Rotterdam shares the fourth position in this national study with Eindhoven, Maastricht, and Zwolle, where 40% of the bears were returned. In comparison, Alkmaar leads with 70% of bears returned, followed by Lelystad and Middelburg. Notably, Amsterdam and Assen had the lowest return rates at only 10%.

The study, commissioned by My Nametags, also revealed that women were more likely to return a lost teddy bear, with 64% of the initiatives taken by them. Age-wise, individuals between 31 and 40 years were most active in returning the bears.

Teddy bear experiment: Rotterdam's response

Quick returns and location insights

It was noted that 56% of the found teddy bears were returned within 24 hours of being lost. However, items lost for more than four days had less than a 9% chance of being found. Interestingly, teddy bears lost in clothing stores had the highest probability of being returned, followed by train stations and playgrounds.

Lars Andersen, General Director of My Nametags, commented on the high return rate of teddy bears, attributing it to the kindness and child-friendly nature of the Dutch people. He highlighted the effectiveness of name labels in aiding the return of lost items.

The rise of millionaire homes

The trend of homes valued over a million euros isn't just a Rotterdam phenomenon; it's a national trend. The Netherlands, by the end of 2022, boasted approximately 195,000 homes with a value exceeding one million euros. This marked a 13% increase from the previous year. While the growth rate has slowed down compared to the whopping 80% surge in 2021, the absolute numbers are still impressive. In 2022 alone, the country saw an addition of over 23,000 millionaire homes.

Rotterdam's share

National Perspective

Rotterdam is home to four beautiful and famous bridges; Erasmusbrug, Willemsbrug, De Hef and Van Brienenoordbrug. You might have heard of, or even driven across them before. But, how much do you actually know about them? 

Erasmusbrug - “The Swan”

The Erasmusbrug connects the northern and southern halves of the city by bridging the Nieuwe Maas river. What's cool about the bridge is that it's both a cable-stayed bridge and a drawbridge (bascule) in one. The bascule section allows safe passage for ships which are too large to pass under it. The Erasmusbrug is the biggest and heaviest of its kind in all of Western Europe. It also has the largest panel (of its kind) on earth. The bridge is 802 meters long and carries multiple vehicle lanes, tram tracks, bicycle lanes and sidewalks. 

Erasmusbrug - Erasmus Bridge 📷 Josef Sejrek

The Erasmusbrug is named after humanist and theologian 'Desiderius Erasmus Roterdamus' (1466 - 1536).  However, it is often referred to as “The Swan” due to its graceful, swan-like design.

The bridge was designed by Dutch architect Ben van Berkel (UNStudio). The construction of the Erasmus bridge cost in excess of 165 million euros. It was officially opened by Queen Beatrix on September 6th, 1996. The bridge is a well known national landmark and has been featured in Red Bull Air Race as well as the 2010 Tour de France. It's also the home of the annual National Firework show. The construction of the bridge brought about much needed economic development for the Kop van Zuid area. 

Willemsbrug

The Willemsbrug connects the Rotterdam city centre to Noordereiland. From Noordereiland, you can cross the Koninginnebrug (Queen's bridge) into the Feijenoord area. The Willemsbrug is also a cable-stayed bridge, as is the Erasmusbrug. However, the Willemsbrug doesn't have a drawbridge to allow larger vessels to pass through. It's 318 meters long and 33 meters wide. 

Willemsbrug - Willems bridge

The Willemsbrug is named after King Willem III. The architect responsible for the Willemsbrug was Cor Veerling (Gemeentewerken). Construction of the bridge began in 1975. The bridge was opened to the public in 1981. Even though the Willemsbrug is not as pretty or as famous as the nearby Erasmusbrug, it is highly recommended to walk across the Willemsbrug at night for a stunning view of the Rotterdam skyline, with the Erasmusbrug included. 

Fun fact: The current Willemsbrug is actually the second bridge with this name. The original Willemsbrug, built in 1878, was a swing bridge that had to be replaced because it couldn't handle the increasing traffic.

De Hef

Few people know this, but the Hef is actually called Koningshavenbrug. It's a decommissioned vertical-lift bridge which used to be part of a railway line connecting the city of Breda to Rotterdam. The Hef has a length of 79 meters and carries 2 railway tracks. This bridge is a significant example of industrial heritage in the Netherlands. It was also the first of its kind in Europe.

De Hef - Koningshavenbrug

The Hef was designed by Dutch engineer Pieter Joosting and was officially opened on the 31st of October, 1927. It was the first of its kind in all of Western Europe. The bridge was severely damaged by the Nazi bombardment in 1940, However, due to its significance to the railway system, it was quickly rebuilt. The Hef hasn't been used since 1993 and is listed as a national monument.

Van Brienenoordbrug

The Van Brienenoordbrug connects the Eastern part of Rotterdam with the south side of the city. It's a twin tied-arch motorway bridge. But would you guess that one of the arches is actually 25 years older than the other? The original single arch bridge built in 1965 was so heavily used city officials eventually decided to double its width by adding a second, almost identical arch, in 1990. The Van Brienenoordbrug is 1320 metres long and carries 12 lanes of traffic. On any given day, over 250,000 vehicles will cross the bridge. The Van Brienenoordbrug is part of the busiest highway in the Netherlands, the A16. The bridge itself is the longest of its kind in the Netherlands.

Van Brienenoordbrug 📷 Johan Klos

The Van Brienenoordbrug wasn't named after an individual. The name actually refers to the island upon which it's partially built: Eiland van Brienenoord. The island, in turn, was named after baron Arnoud Willem van Brienen van de Groote Lindt, who used to own the island. The bridge also has a bascule (drawbridge) section which takes approximately 18 minutes to open and close. Luckily, this rarely is the case. Of the 140,000 ships that pass through the bridge, only 500 require the bridge to open and close. The Van Brienenoordbrug was designed by W.J. van der Eb and W.P. Goedhart.