A modest funeral service in South Africa costs a minimum of R30 000, often more. Finding this amount of cash to pay funeral costs so a loved one can have a beautiful send-off can be challenging. Funeral insurance policies pay valid claims within a few days, often less than 24 hours, so that there is cash on hand to pay for the burial, service and extras. For just a small amount of money each month, a funeral policy from a licensed insurer such as 1Life Insurance ensures your family aren’t burdened with the high cost of a funeral.
How much does funeral cover cost in South Africa?
Funeral cover costs in South Africa start from around R50 a month. The exact cost of your funeral cover in South Africa will depend on how much cover you take, how many family members are covered on the policy, the age of members covered, as well as any extras you opt for such as a grocery benefit.
You can request a quote from an insurance company for funeral cover so you can get an idea of how much your funeral cover will cost. Generally, the higher the sum assured, the higher the monthly premium, and the more members you cover on your policy, such as immediate family, in-laws and extended family members, the more you will pay for cover.
When you are deciding how much cover to take, you need to make sure the premium is affordable, and that you have the cover needed to pay funeral costs.

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Funeral costs in South Africa
These include the following items:
- Coffin
- Burial plot
- Service costs, such as chapel hire, flowers, order of service, pastor donation
- Undertaker or funeral parlour fees
- After gathering costs
- Transportation
- Accommodation for out-of-town family members
- Cleansing ceremony
- Memorial unveiling
The cost of each of these items can range from a few hundred rands to the tens of thousands. For example, you can choose a simple coffin for around R1 500, or a more elaborate hand-carved coffin for over R10 000. Burial plots range from a few thousand rands in municipal ceremonies to over R25 000 in private memorial parks. You can find more details on funeral costs in This is what a funeral will cost you in South Africa.
Choosing the best funeral cover in South Africa
You need to find the best funeral cover for you and your family. This is a three-step process:
Identify your needs
Using the above items as a guide, work out how much a funeral would cost. You should also identify which family members you want to cover on your funeral policy, such as spouses and children, parents, aunts and uncles, siblings and cousins.
Compare funeral cover plans
Request quotes for funeral cover costs in South Africa from a licensed insurer and compare plans taking the following into consideration for each plan:
- Amount of cover, or the sum assured
- Number of members that can be covered, including immediate and extended family members
- Benefits, including a repatriation service, memorial benefit and cash or cash-in-kind benefits such as grocery vouchers
- Monthly premium
- Policy servicing options, for example, can apply and manage your policy online
- Claims pay-out procedures, such as claiming online or over the phone
- Waiting periods and exclusions - does the policy have a waiting period and for which causes of death?
Apply for cover
When you have compared and chosen the best funeral cover in South Africa, you are ready to apply! You will need ID numbers for all members, contact details, as well as bank details for the monthly premium payment. Applying should be quick and easy, and you should receive confirmation and your policy document in a few days.
1Life Insurance for your funeral cover needs
1Life Insurance offers affordable and convenient funeral insurance policies to meet your needs. You can cover up to 16 family members for up to R50 000, with no medical exams. Benefits include a repatriation benefit and memorial benefit. You can request a quote for your funeral policy and apply online. Our claims process is transparent and each 1Life funeral claim is allocated a dedicated claims consultant to keep loved ones updated on their funeral claim. Valid claims can be paid within 24 hours.
Top tip: Buy your 1Life Insurance funeral cover online in as little as 10 minutes and save 40% on your monthly premiums!
Get the best funeral cover in South Africa for your family today
The monthly premium for your funeral cover policy is a small price to pay to ensure your loved ones can pay for the funeral without financial stress or years of debts. Choose the right policy and you can be sure claims will be paid, and that your loved ones have the cover they need. Contact 1Life Insurance today and find out how your funeral cover policy can change the lives of your loved ones and ensure they have a beautiful send-off.