Secure Your Family’s Future with Affordable Funeral Cover

What is funeral cover and how does funeral insurance work?

Funeral cover is a short-term insurance product that provides a lump sum payout between R5,000 and R100,000 to cover burial expenses.

Is there a waiting period for funeral cover?

There is no waiting period for accidental death cover—claims are paid immediately. For natural death, a short 3 months waiting period applies on some plans, while others may require up to 6 months.

How much does funeral cover cost?

The cost depends on your age, the number of people covered, and the coverage amount. We offer cheap funeral cover options starting from R36/month for basic plans up to higher premiums for comprehensive R100,000 cover.

Can I add my parents to my funeral policy?

Yes, you can add up to 10 family members, including your parents and extended family members, to your single funeral policy plan.

How do I apply for funeral insurance?

Simply get a quote online, choose your best funeral cover plan, fill out the simple online form, and provide your ID and bank details. Instant approval is often granted.

How many Funeral policies can I have?

You can have more than one policy for yourself or a family member as there is no specific law that prohibits this. That said, this does not necessarily mean that an insurer will allow you to buy a second policy from them or that you will receive full payment from both.

This is because many insurers have rules that prohibit them from selling funeral policies to those who already have cover elsewhere, and many of those who do not prohibit it outright specify that a claim will only be accepted up to a combined total of, for instance, R100,000 across the two policies.

This is why it’s best to rather purchase a plan that offers you a higher cover amount and more benefits rather than two that offer you lower amounts. In addition, having to make two separate claims from two insurers will undoubtedly become stressful and time-consuming.

Can I get Funeral cover for my parents?

Funeral plans generally allow you to add up to 21 extended family members which include cover for your parents and parents-in-law but this may be subject to certain age restrictions depending on the insurer.

Who else can I add to my Funeral plan?

You can add your spouse and children as immediate family members as well as extended family members who include your parents, parents-in-law, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Some insurers also allow you to include your domestic workers in your funeral plan.

What is the maximum payout amount?

The maximum payout amount in South Africa is set by the Insurance Act and is currently R100,000 for an adult policyholder and their spouse.

Do I qualify for Funeral cover?

As long as you are a South African citizen or permanent resident and are below the age of 64 you can qualify for most of the plans on the market. Having said that, specialist lenders such as Martin’s Funerals offer packages to people between the age of 65 and 84 as well as those over the age of 85 at a higher than average premium.

How much will I pay for Funeral cover in South Africa?

Funeral policies can cost anything between R10 (for a payout of R2,500) and R200 p/ mo (for the more comprehensive plans that payout up to R100,000) in the event that the main member or their spouse dies.

The higher the payout and the more extra benefits a plan has the higher the premiums will be. In addition, the more immediate and extended family you add, the more your premiums will increase.

Who offers the most affordable Funeral plans?

The most affordable funeral plans are those offered by network providers like Vodacom and Telkom, as well as retailers such as Shoprite and Ackermans. DSTV also offers a discount plan to their customers.

Remember that the cheaper your monthly premiums, the lower your payout will be and the fewer benefits you’re going to receive. In addition, the more family members you add to your policy the more your premium will increase.

Which plan is the best?

The best funeral policies are those which offer larger payout amounts and also let you select which add-ons you want but still have affordable premiums.

That said, each policy has its own range of benefits, and what works for one person may not work for another. Some basic policies that cover only the policyholder offer only a small payout of R5,000 while others offer up to R100,000 for both the policyholder and their spouse.

How do I make a claim on a Funeral policy?

You must complete a funeral claim form and provide a certified copy of the deceased’s identity document, a completed Notice for Death form, and a Death Certificate. The policyholder or beneficiary must contact the insurer by telephone or visit the insurer’s website to confirm the claims process and confirm if any additional documents will be required.

How long is the payout process?

Funeral policies are great because they pay out in anywhere between 4 and 48 hours – so you and your family can have the money you need to arrange a funeral as quickly as possible.

What happens to my Funeral policy after I die?

If the policyholder passes away and a successful claim has been made, the policy will terminate unless the policy allows for all remaining insured lives to be covered for a defined period of time. This is usually 6 months and is a benefit that allows the rest of your family to retain their funeral cover without having to make any premium payments.