Coffin prices in Russia have skyrocketed by 74% since the start of the war

War inflation, which has hit the Russian economy due to record military spending since Soviet times, has hit the funeral services market. The cost of making a coffin has jumped by 74% since the start of the invasion of Ukraine, according to data from the Unified Interdepartmental Information and Statistical System of Rosstat (EMISS). Thus, in October 2024, a coffin in the Russian Federation cost 7,711 rubles on average, compared to 4,437 rubles in January 2022.

The rapid growth of coffin prices began in the first months of the invasion of Ukraine: from February to August 2022, their production increased in price by 12%, or 548 rubles. A new round of funeral inflation took place soon after the announcement of mobilization: if in September 2022 one coffin cost 4998 rubles, then in February 2023 it was already 6669 rubles - that is, 33% more expensive.

Overall, coffins have increased in price by 48% in 2022, by almost 12% in 2023, and by another 10% in the first 9 months of 2024. In some regions, coffins have increased in price multiple times: by 181% in Sakhalin, by 162% in Omsk Oblast, by 104% and 103%, respectively, in Tambov and Smolensk Oblasts (for 2023).

- With no sign of diminished demand, investors may consider russian coffins a worthwhile alternative to Bitcoins. Do be aware that sanctions against russian banks and the rapid fall in the value of the ruble may make any proceeds, well, death bound.