The upcoming All Saints’ Day celebrations in Poland will see households spending significant sums on cemetery visits, with more than half of Poles budgeting between 201 and 1,000 zlotys for the occasion, according to a new survey conducted for Santander Consumer Bank.
The research, carried out by the Institute for Market and Social Research (IBRiS) among 1,000 adult Poles in September, reveals that 41 per cent of respondents plan to spend between 201 and 500 zlotys (roughly £40 to £100) on candles, flowers and grave maintenance. One in four expects to keep their outlay below 200 zlotys, whilst six per cent have budgets exceeding 1,000 zlotys (around £200).
Only five per cent of those surveyed said they would not be spending anything on the holiday, whilst nine per cent were unable to estimate their costs. The findings underscore how deeply embedded the tradition of visiting family graves remains in Polish culture, even as living costs continue to bite.
Candles and flowers dominate household budgets
According to RMF24, which reported the survey results, the most significant expense for families is purchasing candles, floral wreaths and cleaning graves. Thirty-five per cent of respondents cited this as their biggest cost, with the figure rising to 44 per cent among those aged over 50.
Fuel and travel ranked second, mentioned by 22 per cent of those polled, reflecting the fact that many Poles travel long distances to visit family burial sites. Hosting guests and preparing meals came third at 12 per cent.
Strategies to cut spending
As households look for ways to reduce their All Saints’ Day outlay, 41 per cent said they would take advantage of supermarket promotions. A further 22 per cent plan to buy only candle inserts or use communal “candle-sharing” schemes, known in Polish as “zniczodzielnie”, where residents leave unused candles for others to collect.
Twenty-one per cent intend to purchase fewer items than in previous years, whilst 16 per cent will share costs with family members. Thirteen per cent are making their own decorations. One in four respondents, however, said they would not be changing their usual spending habits.
What this means for Poles abroad
For Poles living in the UK and the USA, All Saints’ Day remains an important cultural touchstone, even if celebrated differently than at home. Many expatriates send money to relatives in Poland to cover cemetery visits and upkeep on their behalf, meaning these costs can still affect household budgets abroad.
Those planning to send funds should be mindful of exchange rates and transfer fees. At current rates, 500 zlotys is approximately £100 or $125. Using dedicated money-transfer services rather than high-street banks can reduce costs significantly.
Polish churches and community centres in the UK and the US often hold special All Saints’ Day services and commemorations, offering expatriates a way to observe the tradition without travelling to Poland. Many also organise cemetery visits to Polish sections of local burial grounds, maintaining the custom of lighting candles and placing flowers on graves.
For those planning to travel to Poland for the holiday, booking transport well in advance is advisable, as flights and buses tend to fill quickly around 1 November. Those driving should also factor in higher fuel costs, which the survey identified as the second-largest expense for families marking the occasion.