Funeral Cover Pays the Bills

Funerals in South Africa are as expensive as you want to make them but if you're guided by the economists quoted in a 2009 Foreign Policy article, an average funeral will cost you close to R4 000 in 2011.

That's a lot of money in some households and while it may be more easily accessible in others, it's not always readily available. That's why funeral cover is so important.

You want to be sure that you have enough to pay the costs of what you and your loved ones will consider an appropriate send-off when you die. At the very least, there are the undertaker's and municipal fees, the cost of a burial or cremation, the coffin, memorial urn if required post-cremation, a grave stone or memorial plaque, and post-ceremony refreshments for mourners.

Funeral cover prevents the need to go into debt by taking out a loan to pay for a funeral, allows families to meet social expectations around honouring the deceased, and reduces the risk of families being left vulnerable by this financial outlay.

Funeral cover can be purchased online, at your convenience. Filling in a quote request takes 60 seconds of your time, and you don't need a medical examination. Once you buy the recommended policy in less than five minutes, you'll secure peace of mind that your funeral expenses are covered without creating an extra burden for your family.

If you're between the ages of 20 and 65, you qualify for cover up to R25 000. After you turn 85, this cover is yours free of charge.

A successful claim results in a cash payout within 24 hours. Premiums stay constant, that is, there are no monthly escalations and they can be paid by yourself, your partner, your parents or your children.