San Fernando Cemetery has recorded 1,676 cremations compared to 633 burials so far in 2026, a trend that has been consolidating for five years. Most Sevillians opt for cremation, according to data from the City Council.
San Fernando Cemetery, the main cemetery in the capital of Seville, has recorded a total of 1,676 cremations compared to 633 burials so far in 2026. This means that cremations nearly triple burials, according to data provided by the City Council of Seville.
This trend is not new. For at least five years, cremation has become the majority option among Sevillians when bidding farewell to their loved ones. In 2022, for example, there were 1,302 burials and 3,197 cremations; in 2023, 1,197 burials and 2,835 cremations; in 2024, 1,131 burials and 2,754 cremations; and in 2025, 1,157 burials compared to 2,868 cremations.
The cemetery delegate, Pepe Lugo, explained about a month ago that the "change in religious trends" has led more families to choose cremation. Additionally, cremation is a more economical alternative than burial, as maintaining a grave incurs costs for relatives.
This preference has driven the construction of a new crematory building at San Fernando Cemetery, with an investment of around 1.3 million euros. According to the latest information, it is expected to begin operations in mid-2027.
The delegate for Parks and Gardens of the City Council of Seville, Evelia Rincón, stated last June that the aim of this infrastructure is for "Sevillians not to have to go to other municipalities to say goodbye to their relatives," as has happened in recent years due to lack of capacity.
Once the building is completed, three cremation ovens will be installed, for which about 70,000 euros will be allocated. These will be added to the three that are already operational in the cemetery, although the condition of some of them is "obsolete." In fact, one of the ovens has been in operation for over 40 years, so it has not been decided whether all will be kept or replaced.
San Fernando Cemetery will be the scene of other interventions in the coming months. The municipal government is working on opening a new café, constructing a new columbarium, and digitising the records. These improvements aim to modernise the site and adapt it to the new demands of citizens.
The growing trend towards cremation is also reflected in the gradual decrease in burials year after year. While 1,302 burials were recorded in 2022, the figure dropped to 1,157 in 2025, and so far in 2026 only 633 have been reached. In contrast, cremations have remained above 2,700 annually since 2022, except in 2023, when there were 2,835.
For the residents of Seville, this trend implies changes in funeral planning: cremation offers a more flexible and economical option, with the possibility of keeping ashes in columbariums or scattering them in authorised places. The City Council recommends informing oneself in advance about the services available at San Fernando Cemetery.
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