Buy online
Funerals are a time to honour and celebrate a loved one’s life, but the truth is that they can be costly and stressful without proper planning. Funeral cover gives you and your family the financial protection you need to focus on what matters most – providing a beautiful send-off without the burden of unplanned expenses. Here are key facts and FAQs about funeral cover in South Africa to help you understand how it works, what it includes and why it’s an important part of your financial plan.
1. What is funeral cover?
Funeral cover is a type of insurance designed to pay out quickly to cover the immediate costs of a funeral. Unlike life insurance, which provides long-term financial support to your dependants, funeral cover focuses only on short-term needs such as:
- Burial and cremation costs
- Transport for the deceased and mourners
- Catering and venues for gatherings
- Ceremonial costs and related expenses
Looking for a funeral quote?
We'll call you!
2. The real cost of a funeral in South Africa
Funerals can cost far more than many families expect. Research shows that the cost of essentials such as burial plots, coffins, undertaker fees and catering can quickly add up:
- Burial plots: municipal plots range from R2 200 to R11 000, while private plots can cost from R14 000 to more than R50 000.
- Coffins: basic coffins start at R1 000 but they can cost up to between R3 000 and R10 000.
- Undertakers: services such as transporting the deceased, preparing the body and assisting with paperwork cost on average around R10 000.
- Gatherings: catering starts at R80 per person and hiring a marquee can add up to R7 000 or more.
- Other expenses: transport, flowers, livestock and cleansing ceremonies can increase the final cost significantly.
Without funeral cover, these expenses often leave families dipping into savings or taking on debt to cover the cost of a loved one’s funeral. A funeral cover policy ensures that your loved one’s farewell is meaningful without becoming a financial burden.
Top tip: Learn more about how you can secure your family’s financial future with a funeral cover policy from 1Life.
3. How funeral cover differs from life cover
It’s easy to confuse funeral cover with life cover, but they serve very different purposes:
- Funeral cover: pays out quickly (often within 24–48 hours) to cover funeral expenses.
- Life cover: Provides a larger pay-out to support your family in the long term, helping with debt, education and ongoing living costs.
Including both life and funeral cover in your financial plan ensures your family is provided for immediately and in the future.
4. Who needs funeral cover?
The reality is that almost everyone can benefit from funeral cover, but it’s especially important for:
- Breadwinners who support extended families
- Single parents with families
- People without emergency savings
- Middle-income earners looking for affordable funeral cover
Funeral cover isn’t just about a policy pay-out, it’s about easing stress during a difficult time and helping your family focus on arranging a beautiful send-off for loved ones.
5. What does funeral cover include?
Funeral policies usually offer more than just a pay-out. Many include added benefits such as:
- Body repatriation services – transporting the deceased from place of death to a funeral
- Grocery and airtime benefits – help with immediate expenses
- Headstone benefits – ensuring a lasting tribute
- Extended family member cover – protecting parents, siblings and more
With 1Life, you can cover up to 16 family members on one policy with benefits to the value of R16 000 including a R5 000 headstone benefit and repatriation service for all policy members plus a R6 000 grocery benefit should the main member pass.
6. How quickly does it pay out?
Most insurers aim to pay out within 24–48 hours once all the required documents are submitted.
A valid 1Life Funeral Cover claim could be paid out within 24 hours, and some are paid in just 3 minutes if all the correct documentation is submitted. That means families don’t have to delay important arrangements or worry about money during a stressful time.
7. Affordability: monthly premiums start low
Funeral cover is designed to be affordable. Entry-level premiums often start from around R100 per month.
Buy affordable funeral cover online from 1Life and you’ll save 40% on your monthly premiums.
8. You can cover your entire family
Funeral cover isn’t limited to one person. In South Africa, where many households are multigenerational, this ensures that everyone you care about has access to a beautiful send-off without financial stress.
With 1Life, you can cover up to 16 family members, including children, parents and extended family members.
9. Funeral policy pay-outs are tax-free
A funeral cover policy pay-out is tax-free. This means the pay-out goes directly towards the costs of the funeral, without deductions or delays, helping families focus on arranging a beautiful send-off.
10. No medical exams required
Unlike some types of insurance, including life cover, funeral cover usually requires no medical underwriting. This makes it quick and easy to apply, even for older adults or people with existing health conditions. It’s a simple way to get peace of mind, knowing that your loved ones are protected.
Learn about the essential questions you must ask your funeral insurer to ensure you have the right funeral cover for you and your family.
Conclusion
Funeral cover offers more than financial protection – it offers peace of mind. By taking out a policy, you ensure that your family can focus on what truly matters: giving you or your loved one a beautiful send-off without the stress of unexpected expenses.
Take the next step today and get a 1Life Funeral Cover quote online and save 40% on your monthly premiums.
Frequently asked questions
How long does funeral cover take to pay out?
Most insurers aim to pay within 24–48 hours once all the correct documents are received.
What documents do I need to claim on funeral cover?
Typically, you’ll need a death certificate, DHA/BI-1663 form, IDs, a completed claim form and banking details.
Is a funeral policy pay-out taxed?
No – funeral policy pay-outs are tax-free for beneficiaries.
Is there a waiting period and does cover start immediately?
Yes. Most policies have a six-month waiting period for natural causes but accidental death is usually covered immediately.