When someone you love passes away, the last thing you need is a financial burden. Funerals can end up costing quite a bit of money so it would take a load off your shoulders if money was instantly paid out in the event of a death of one of your family members.

Let’s look at the most important reasons for having a funeral:

• A funeral provides a social support system for the bereaved
• The event helps the bereaved integrate with community members – making it easier to carry on with life
• It is a time for the bereaved to express their emotions and pay their final respects
• It is an easy way of getting all family members together to say a proper good-bye

The average cover available to members of most retirement funds is between R3 000 to R10 000. You need to ask yourself if this will be enough for your situation. In most cases the funeral cover only covers your immediate family and not extended family.

A funeral can cost anything between R7 000 and R30 000. Planning ahead of time can help you control costs and avoid making decisions at a time when your emotions are heightened. Funeral costs are seldom considered until the time comes to organize one – which really is the worst time to have to think about money.

The payment time period depends on your policy conditions. Understand your policy conditions because most policies need you to give certain documents before payment.

Funeral cover pays out a pre-determined amount of money if certain members of your family die. You decide how much funeral cover you need and how many of your family members you would like covered. You can cover yourself, your immediate family and even your extended family, such as your aunt, uncle or in-laws. It all depends on your needs.

After the death is registered, the burial can take place without any further documentation. Some cemeteries offer ‘family’ graves and ‘public’ graves, each with different rights. If you already own a family grave, you need to get permission to have the grave reopened. You will also need to arrange for existing memorial work to be removed if necessary – the funeral service usually arranges this.

There are strict laws regarding cremation. A medical referee has to grant official permission before a cremation can take place. For this permission you need to submit death certificates from two doctors, plus an application by the family signed before a Commissioner of Oaths. If you want the cremation to be done on the same day as the funeral you cannot fix a date or time until you have the official permission. If the medical referee does not grant permission you may need to have a private autopsy done by a qualified pathologist. Alternatively you may arrange for the cremation to take place privately a few days later.

• Contact the doctor to get confirmation of death.
• Find a funeral service to handle the arrangements – this is usually the responsibility of the next of kin such as the spouse.
• Decide whether to have a funeral or a cremation.
• Decide what type of casket you want.
• Think about where you would like the funeral to be held – your church or home.
• Think about where you would like the deceased to be buried.
• Consider who will officiate the funeral.
• Decide who the pall bearers will be.
• Send wording to your local newspapers before the deadline.

To enable your claim to be processed, the following is needed:

• Fully completed “Claim Form” - completed in black ink with correct payment details;
• An application form if not previously submitted;
• Certified (by commissioner of oath’s) copy of the claimants ID;
• Certified (by commissioner of oath’s) copy of the deceased’s ID;
• Certified (by commissioner of oath’s) copy of the death certificate (BI5);
• A copy of the BI1663;
• Copy of the marriage certificate (In the case of a traditional marriage, letter of employer confirming marriage, or letter from chief or priest confirming the marriage);
• Copy of the Policyholders latest Payslip plus payslip one month before start of waiting period;
• For any child claim, a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate; If a stepchild, a certified copy of the relevant marriage certificate;
• If an illegitimate or adopted child, a certified copy of the adoption certificate;
• Every accidental death claim will require a police report;
• For deceased students over 18 yrs, confirmation of enrolment at the registered educational institution is required;
• If no clear beneficiary exists, a letter of appointment as executor is required, or undertaker expenses can be paid directly;
• If payment is to a 3rd party bank account, a copy of that persons ID document. Not applicable to Funeral Parlours;

The Insurer reserves the right to request additional documentation it deems necessary to verify the claim. Incomplete details may cause delays and be requested again later.

You can contact:-

Aaron Malefo – malefoaa@aforbes.co.za – (011) 669-2622
Janine Morrissey – morrisseyj@aforbes.co.za – (011) 669-3357
Sandy Lombaard – lombaards@aforbes.co.za – (011) 669- 3316