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How to choose the best funeral cover in South Africa

29 November 2022
5 minute read

When it comes to securing the financial well-being of your loved ones, few things are more important than choosing the best funeral cover in South Africa. Funeral cover provides the necessary support to ease the burden of funeral costs when you or a family member passes away.

We at 1Life Insurance understand the pressures of choosing the best funeral cover. In this comprehensive guide, we will equip you with the knowledge needed to make an informed decision and ensure that you have selected the best funeral cover policy to protect your loved ones during their time of need.

Do you know how much a funeral costs in South Africa?

Funeral costs vary significantly, depending on expenses such as burial or cremation, caskets, headstones, transportation, catering, and more. These costs quickly add up! With 1Life’s funeral cover, you can rest assured that you have access to the best funeral cover plan to protect your family against the impact of funeral expenses.

Make sure you understand funeral cover amounts

The cover amount is the cornerstone of any funeral cover policy, as that determines the type of funeral you’re able to give in the event of a death.

1Life Funeral Cover offers a maximum pay-out of up to R50 000 per member, accommodating the main/principal member, spouse or partner, parents, parents-in-law and children aged between 14 and 21 years.

Top tip: 1Life Insurance recognises the importance of covering your extended family members. That's why our funeral cover allows you to insure up to 16 family members on a single policy, ensuring that everyone you care about is protected.

Make sure you can afford your monthly premiums

Affordability is an important consideration when selecting the best funeral cover for your family’s needs. If your premium is unpaid, your policy will lapse and you might lose cover.

Top tip: With 1Life Insurance you can change your cover amount at any time. Simply talk to our call centre agents about tailoring your cover to suit both your needs and what you are able to afford in monthly premiums.

Understand funeral policy features and benefits

1Life’s funeral cover offers an array of additional features and benefits designed to provide much-needed support if you or a loved one dies:

  • With fixed premiums for the first 12 months, you know your budget will balance for the next year!
  • Our policies offer a grocery benefit of R6 000 if the main/principal member passes away
  • Also included is a memorial benefit - 1Life has partnered with Metgran to bring you further peace of mind. We will provide you with a headstone through Metgran to the value of R5000, on the anniversary of a successful claim
  • Plus a repatriation service is offered to transport the deceased from place of death in SADC country to South Africa

Top tip: A 24 -month premium waiver applies to 1Life Funeral Cover policies. This means that if the main/principal member passes away, policy premiums will not be payable during this period. After expiry of the premium waiver period, the main/principal member’s first spouse - or eldest additional member - can take over the policy and pay the policy premiums again with no new waiting periods applied.

Investigate the funeral claims process

Talk to providers about the claims process, for example what documents are required to submit a claim and how long it takes to approve a claim.

Top tip: Our streamlined claims process ensures hassle-free approval of qualifying claims in under 3 minutes and payment of approved claims within 24 hours, allowing you to focus on what truly matters during difficult times.

Read and understand your policy terms and conditions

Transparency and clarity are at the core of our commitment to our policyholders. That’s why 1Life Insurance takes pride in providing easily understood policy documents, and ensuring that you have a thorough understanding of your funeral cover policy. Read the policy book and the policy schedule to familiarise yourself with the terms and conditions of your cover, including any restrictions, waiting periods, and exclusions. Our aim is to empower you with the knowledge needed to make informed decisions that give you complete peace of mind knowing that you’ve chosen the best funeral cover policy for your needs.

Top tip: Waiting periods play a crucial role in your funeral cover policy. While you are covered immediately for accidental death, there is a waiting period of 6 months and 6 premiums paid for natural death.

By carefully evaluating your funeral cover needs, considering affordability, reviewing waiting periods, and assessing policy features and benefits, you can make an informed decision that safeguards your loved ones' future with the best funeral cover in South Africa.

Trust 1Life Insurance to be your partner in securing the best funeral cover in SA, providing you with the comfort and assurance you seek during life's most challenging moments. Together, we will ensure that your loved ones are protected and supported every step of the way.

Did you know that you can buy your funeral cover online and save 40% on monthly premiums! And while you are there, get a quote for life cover. You could save up to 13% on monthly premiums.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of 1Life Insurance or its employees.

We answer your questions about our products and services! 

What steps should I take to understand the terms and conditions of my funeral cover policy?

The most important step is to read the policy documents thoroughly. Ensure that you obtain a copy of the full policy document from 1Life Insurance and carefully read through all sections, including the fine print.

Pay attention to definitions, exclusions, and any special conditions.

Can I purchase funeral cover and life cover together, and are there additional savings?

Yes. You can combine life and funeral cover on 1 easy, hassle-free policy with 1 premium with the 1Life Pure Life Plus cover and save 28% on premiums.

Is there a premium waiver period, and how does it work?

Yes. The premium waiver applies to the policy for a 2-year period. Should the main member die, cover will remain in place for 2 years for members covered on the policy at the time of death. It will be available if the client had continuous, uninterrupted cover for at least 6 months. No additional premiums are required during this time

What additional features and benefits does 1Life's funeral cover offer?

Benefits include a R5 000 headstone memorial and R6 000 grocery benefit, a repatriation service, and a two-year premium waiver

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