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September is Heritage Month in South Africa, a time to celebrate the customs and practices that help shape who we are. For many South African families, the way we honour and say goodbye to loved ones is an important part of that heritage, reflecting the traditions passed down through generations.
The cost of saying goodbye
Across our rainbow nation, families honour their loved ones in many different ways, depending on their culture, faith and family tradition. But giving someone a meaningful farewell can come at a cost. In 2026, 1Life research estimated that an average funeral with a municipal burial plot could cost between R35 000 and R45 000, rising to more than R50 000 if a private memorial park is used. And, as prices rise over time, the cost of funerals can rise too.
Did you know? South Africa’s funeral industry is estimated to be worth more than R10 billion a year, which gives some indication of just how much families spend on funerals.
The good news is that 1Life Funeral Cover has you covered in more ways than one. A policy pay-out can help cover the immediate costs of the funeral, while additional benefits can help with some of the other expenses that come with saying goodbye.
Quick claims pay-outs can help cover immediate expenses
Funerals often involve several service providers, from undertakers and caterers to transport providers and, depending on your family’s traditions, suppliers of livestock. Many of these expenses need to be paid before the funeral takes place, which makes having access to cash especially important.
Once a valid claim has been approved and all the required documentation has been submitted, it can be paid into your bank account within 48 business hours. That gives your family access to funds to start paying suppliers and making arrangements. And where suppliers offer a better price for upfront payment, having cash available may even help you save.
And speaking of paperwork, take note of these top tips for a quicker claim:
- Know your policy:Make sure you and your family know important details such as your policy number, 1Life’s contact details, who is covered and how much cover each person has.
- Know how to claim: Find out in advance how claims are submitted and make sure your beneficiary knows what to do if you pass away. You can find the claims process on the 1Life website.
- Keep important documents safe and accessible: Claims require supporting documents such as ID and banking details. Keep these somewhere secure but accessible to the people who may need them.
Your policy benefits can help with more than the funeral
The funeral pay-out may be the biggest source of immediate financial support, but it is not the only way your 1Life Funeral Cover can help. Depending on your policy, additional benefits can take care of some of the costs that arise before, during and even after the funeral.
Repatriation benefit
Families do not always live close to one another, and sometimes a loved one needs to be transported a long distance to be laid to rest where the family chooses.
1Life’s repatriation service helps transport a covered member from the place of death to place of burial, subject to the terms of the policy. This can remove a significant logistical and financial worry at an already difficult time.
Headstone benefit
For many families, honouring a loved one continues long after the funeral itself. A headstone or unveiling can form an important part of remembering them, but it also brings another expense months after the funeral bills have been paid.
1Life Funeral Cover includes a headstone benefit of R5 000 for qualifying members over the age of 14, subject to the terms of the policy. This means your family does not necessarily have to fund the full cost from the original funeral pay-out.
Top tip: Benefits can differ between policies, so check your policy schedule to see exactly what applies to you and your family. You can view your policy online, use the WhatsApp service centre or speak to a 1Life consultant.
Your 1Lifestyle rewards can stretch your budget further
Your insurance benefits are not the only place you may be able to save. Qualifying 1Life policyholders also have access to 1Lifestyle, 1Life’s free loyalty programme, with monthly savings and discounts on everyday expenses.
Depending on your 1Lifestyle level, benefits can include grocery coupons, fashion discounts and travel savings. That means the rewards you already have access to could help reduce some of the costs around a funeral, whether that is groceries for the household, transport for family members or clothing needed for the service.
The important thing is to know what is available before you need it. Open the 1Life app and check your current 1Lifestyle benefits, vouchers and discounts.
Honour your heritage without the financial burden
The way we say goodbye says a great deal about who we are, where we come from and the people who matter to us. And for many families, those customs are worth preserving and passing on.
Planning ahead with funeral cover can help make that possible. A policy pay-out can provide the cash needed for the funeral itself, while benefits such as repatriation and a headstone benefit can help with some of the costs that surround it.
Because honouring your heritage should be about remembering a life well lived, not worrying about how the bills will be paid.