Undas Spending Guide 2025: Smart Ways to Budget for All Saints’ Day and the Long Weekend

“Honoring the dead shouldn’t mean burying your savings too.”

In the Philippines, Undas isn’t just about remembering the departed — it also comes with its own set of gastos. For many families, it’s a season when hearts, memories, and yes, wallets all open. From travel and memorial fees to food for reunions, the expenses pile up quickly, and before you know it, the bill feels as heavy as the candle smoke hanging in the air.

With inflation still biting and transport demand shooting up in 2025, every peso really counts. Some families swipe their credit card for convenience or even take out a small personal loan for bigger gastos, but without a solid plan, that could mean starting November already in utang. That’s why it pays to budget smart for Undas — so you can honor your loved ones without draining your savings.

The price surge is real

• Bus, ferry, and flight tickets often spike in the weeks leading up to Undas.
  
  
• If you're driving, fuel and toll fees add up and delays can multiply consumption.
  
  
• Ride-hailing and wallet promos tend to vanish or have limited quotas during peak periods.
  
  

Smart booking strategies

• Book early (4–6 weeks ahead) to lock in lower fares.
  
  
• Watch for airline seat sales, promo codes, or “seat-saver” deals.
  
  
• For shorter routes, consider sharing van transfers or pooling rides to reduce per-person cost.
  
  
• Use travel-app alerts to catch flash promos.
  
  
• If driving, map out alternate routes to avoid congestion, and consider off-peak travel hours.
  
  

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What eats your budget

• Flowers, candles, cleaning materials (brushes, bleach, cloths).
  
  
• Labor or “helper fees” if someone assists in cleaning or decorating.
  
  
• Shared upkeep: in some families, multiple branches chip in for maintenance, repairs, or repairs to the family plot.
  
  
• Because of high demand, vendors may raise prices especially within cemetery premises.
  
  

Current price trends (2024–2025):

• In Davao’s Bankerohan Public Market, candles ranged from ₱5 to ₱20 depending on size, while cut flowers or bundles ran from ₱5 to ₱20 each; potted flowers were about ₱50–₱80 (excluding labor). SunStar Publishing Inc.
  
  
• In Manila, candle prices reportedly surged during Undas 2024, though flower prices dipped in some cases. DZRH News
  
  
• The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has issued reminders and urged vendors not to hike prices on candles, flowers, and bottled water leading up to Undas. Philippine News Agency
  
  
• Some columbarium operators announced price adjustments effective October 2025 for flower arrangements, likely in response to cost pressures. Facebook
  
  

Ways to trim memorial costs

• Buy candles and flowers ahead of time (in non-peak weeks) — they’re cheaper outside the cemetery grounds.
  
  
• Visit wholesale flower markets like Dangwa (for Metro Manila readers) to secure lower bulk prices. Wikipedia
  
  
• Pool resources with siblings or relatives to share costs.
  
  
• Use “hybrid” materials: combine real flowers with faux floral accents to reduce volume.
  
  
• Reuse lanterns, pots, or vases from previous years.
  
  
• Offer to do the cleaning/decorating yourself rather than paying someone.

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What you’ll likely spend on

• Ingredients for cooking (meat, rice, vegetables, snacks).
  
  
• Disposable tableware, condiments, drinks.
  
  
• For families constantly moving (to cemetery → home → relative’s home), takeout or convenience purchases escalate.
  
  
• If people stay overnight or camp near cemeteries, extra food, charcoal, grilling costs, etc.
  
  

Budget-friendly food ideas

• Plan menus with local, seasonal ingredients (cheaper and fresher).
  
  
• Cook in bulk and repurpose leftovers for baon (lunch boxes) on subsequent days.
  
  
• Use potluck style: ask guests to bring a dish, drinks, or utensils.
  
  
• Instead of ordering from a restaurant, buy from carinderias or small eateries near your destination (these often cost much less).
  
  
• Prepare “grab-and-go” snack bags (bananas, bread, fruit) to reduce impulse spending when hungry.
  
  

If camping overnight, bring your own stove/utensils rather than relying on on-site vendors.

It’s in the little things that budgets leak. Here are often-forgotten extras:

• Extra utility bills: When relatives stay over, expect higher electricity and water use.
  
  
• Donations or fees: Some barangays or parishes request contributions, particularly for mass offerings or cemetery cleanups.
  
  
• Emergency pocket money: Kids may request snacks, phone load, or small treats.
  
  
• Parking or security fees: Near the cemetery or in your hometown.
  
  

Unexpected purchases: Umbrellas (if rainy), extra clothes, flashlight batteries, first-aid supplies.

Here’s a quick strategy list:

Many families turn Undas into a mini vacation — going home, staying a few days, visiting relatives, or even touring nearby sites.

Blending tradition & leisure

• Allocate two “budgets”: one for remembrance (cemetery, offerings, travel) and one for leisure (meals, side trips, lodging).
  
  
• Decide which day(s) are strictly for cemetery visits, and which are for downtime.
  
  
• Prioritize where you want to splurge (e.g., lodging) and where you’ll be frugal (meals, transport).
  
  
• Use accommodations outside tourist hubs or shared lodging to reduce cost.
  
  

Example budget scenario

Suppose a family of 4 plans a 4-day long weekend trip:

Undas is a sacred time of remembrance, reconnection, and respect, not a race to spend more than your means.
With early planning, resource pooling, and smart choices, Filipino families can observe tradition and keep their finances intact.

And if you’re looking for a trusted platform to manage your cash flow and track expenses during this period, consider Finmerkado, a tool that helps you stay on top of your budget so your heart (and wallet) stay peaceful during Undas.

References

• SunStar: Prices of candles, flowers remain stable in Davao
  
  
• DZRH: Manila South Cemetery sees drop in candle prices, flower prices surge
  
  
• Philippine News Agency: DTI urges vendors not to hike prices of candles, flowers
  
  
• St. Therese Columbarium Facebook: Announcement on flower arrangement prices
  
  
• Wikipedia: Dangwa Flower Market