High gas and electricity costs, delivery bottlenecks for coffins: undertakers in Hesse are struggling with several problems at the same time.
Kassel/Wiesbaden (dpa/lhe) – The high energy prices and rising material costs are burdening the undertaker industry in Hesse. In addition to the personnel costs, the operation of the cooling systems and the heating of the mourning and consultation rooms are the largest items in the company, said Dominik Kracheletz, chairman of the Hesse undertakers’ association. “For this reason, some private funeral homes no longer offer funeral services on their own premises, but recommend a celebration in the premises of the cemetery authority.”
Against the background of the increased energy prices, constantly heating the funeral halls is currently simply too expensive for the institutes. “It can’t be paid for,” said Kracheletz, who runs a funeral home of the same name in Kassel.
Another problem for the industry are delivery bottlenecks and increased costs for coffins. Transport costs and wood have become more expensive, supply chains are disrupted. “The price for a coffin has risen by up to 30 percent. We cannot pass that on to customers at this level,” explained Kracheletz. The undertakers are also concerned that they will not be able to get enough coffins in the future – especially since the number of deaths has risen significantly in recent weeks.
According to a projection by the Federal Statistical Office, there were an average of 19 percent more deaths nationwide in October than in the years 2018 to 2021 this month. Kracheletz reports of companies that have rejected orders because they are overworked. “The capacities are exhausted.”
The crematoria are also hit by the increased energy costs, explained Kracheletz. They needed electricity and gas in equal measure, said Wilhelm Vogler, one of two managing directors of the Wiesbaden crematorium at Südfriedhof. Approximately 4000 cremations are performed annually at the facility, which was privatized in 2007. “Fortunately, we still have a cheap contract with our gas supplier at the moment,” explained Vogler. The crematorium buys electricity on the electricity exchange. “We have to take it as it comes.”
Vogler only sees a few adjustments: “The cooling system runs around the clock, the doors and fans of the systems need electricity. We need gas for combustion.” It is not possible to throttle the temperature of the ovens. “According to the Federal Immission Control Act, a minimum temperature of 850 degrees Celsius is required for cremation,” explained Vogler.
Last year, among other things, the thermal insulation of the ovens was expanded. A photovoltaic system on the roof produces its own electricity. Against the background of cost increases, the crematorium raised its prices “by a moderate five percent”. “We hope to be able to keep it that way for the time being.” The cost of a cremation would be around 350 euros plus 60 euros for the obligatory inquest.
