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Funeral expenses can accumulate, with even the smallest item, such as flowers or an order of service, adding thousands to the total cost. When you know what these burial expenses could be, you can plan ahead and provide for them so you don’t have to dip into savings or go into debt to pay for a respectable funeral. We break down the funeral expenses you should consider when calculating the costs of a funeral service and how much funeral cover you may need.
Common funeral expenses overview
Burial expenses will include the preparation phase where the deceased is collected from the place of death and prepared for burial, as well as a post-mortem if this is required. The burial service costs will typically include the transportation of the deceased and close family to the service and burial sites, costs of the service such as chapel hire, casket and burial plot costs, as well as after-gathering costs, including catering. Post the funeral, cleansing ceremony and unveiling costs may also be incurred.
Many of the funeral expenses that involve transporting and preparing the deceased for burial, as well as the funeral service will be included in the undertaker’s fee. South African undertakers offer a range of services, for different fees, so families can pay one all-inclusive amount for the burial. For example, undertakers offer a range of coffins and caskets to choose from, cover transportation costs to and from the burial site and may also offer marquee hire and catering services. However, not all funeral expenses costs will be included in the undertaker’s fee, and families may want a few extras at the service that have to be paid for separately.
Surprising funeral expenses
Your loved ones may have special requests for their funeral, such as a particular flower or music selection that you have to organise and pay for. These surprising burial expenses can include the following:
Burial plot in a memorial park
The cost of a burial plot can range from a few thousand rands to tens of thousands of rands and hundreds of thousands if you buy a family burial plot in a private memorial park.
Flowers
Types of flowers, number of and arrangement style all affect the cost, which can range from a few hundred rands for the very basic to over R5 000.
Church or hall hire and celebrant charges
Chapel hire starts at a few hundred rand in municipal cemeteries, to thousands, sometimes tens of thousands for halls and cathedrals. There may also be additional costs such as hire of extra chairs and use of kitchens at the chapel or hall. An organist may be an extra charge as well. When you select a chapel or hall, find out what is included in the costs, any non-refundable deposit amounts and what extras are available. Don’t forget the pastor, priest or celebrant fee!
Music, PA systems
Want a DJ, live band, singer or even special songs? It will cost extra! Basic PA systems are often provided by your undertaker, but anything more will be for your own account.
Transport
Funeral policies may cover repatriation services to move the deceased from the place of death to burial site, within the borders of the country. However, this may be a cost the family needs to pay for. Undertaker fees also usually cover some transport costs, such as for immediate family to and from the service and burial site, but transport costs for any other family members and mourners will be for your own account. If you are expecting a cavalcade, with many vehicles, you may need to inform the local metro police, as any police escort offered will also be an additional burial cost expense.
Ceremonial costs
These can include licences for the slaughter of an animal, cleansing ceremony costs and unveiling costs. They vary widely, but can add at least a few thousand rands to the burial expenses and are not likely to be included in undertaker fees.
Admin costs
Death notices, copies of death certificates and the order of service will be an additional funeral expense. Undertakers may offer to print a small order of service, but anything more elaborate can add another few thousand to the funeral expense bill.
Planning ahead
Ideally, you should discuss in advance the type of funeral you would like for you and your loved ones so you can estimate the costs and ensure these are covered by taking out a funeral insurance policy with an appropriate sum assured. Pay-outs for valid funeral claims give you the funds you need for a respectable funeral, and often include a memorial headstone benefit. You should also review the sum assured and funeral costs annually so that you know if you need to increase cover to allow for rising funeral costs.
1Life Insurance funeral cover changes lives, ensuring you have the funds for a respectable funeral
1Life Insurance offers a range of flexible funeral cover policies you can tailor to your own needs and circumstances. You can take cover for sums assured of up to R50 000 for up to 16 members on your policy. Buy cover online and you can save 40% on premiums. Additional benefits include a repatriation service and memorial headstone, for qualifying members. 1Life Insurance aims to change your loved one's lives for the better by making funeral cover easy to take out, easy to manage and easy to claim on! Valid, qualifying claims can be paid in minutes, ensuring your family has funds to cover funeral costs. Policyholders can access and manage policies safely and conveniently on the online policyholder services portal and WhatsApp service centre.
Plan ahead to avoid financial surprises
No one needs a financial surprise when it comes to paying funeral costs. Know what these could be, plan ahead and ensure you have enough funeral cover to ensure a beautiful send off for your loved one. Talk to 1Life Insurance today about our flexible funeral policies and find out how we can change your life!