In South Africa, funerals aren’t just an important way to say a final farewell and celebrate the lives of those we love. They can also be significant cultural and social ceremonies. So much so that many funerals can cost more than your average South African wedding. Fortunately, a little bit of planning can ease the financial burden as well as the emotional strain.

Here are just a few things you might want to consider to ensure you’re more prepared to give your loved ones the dignified send-off they deserve.

Talk about your personal wishes

Funerals are deeply personal. This is why we should talk about our wishes while we’re still alive so that our families are aware of our specific wishes. This includes decisions about burial or cremation, the type of ceremony, and other specific requests. By making these decisions in advance, individuals ensure that their preferences are respected and relieve their families of making these potentially difficult choices themselves under emotional duress. Another way you can make your wishes clear is to list them in your Will. No Will? Let’s help you create one today!

Get a realistic idea of costs

Many of us moan about the cost of living but do you know what it costs to pass away? One of South Africa’s largest funeral service companies now charges between R18 500 and R22 000 for a basic grave burial or cremation service. Another would charge R3000 for a grave burial during the week and R3600 on the weekend. They also offer a basic cremation service for R25 000 that includes taking care of medical paperwork, transporting the body to their crematorium and returning the ashes to the family. You might also want to budget for venue hire, flowers, catering and the printing of memorial pamphlets.

Create a financial plan

We all want a long and happy life but our time on earth doesn’t come with a guarantee. Once you figure out how much a funeral might cost, the time to start preparing for it is now. This is why it’s a good idea to invest in a funeral policy or a life insurance policy that includes a funeral benefit. Still, as with everything, it pays to shop around. By getting quotes from multiple providers and paying attention to the various benefits they offer, you’ll be able to find a financial tool that provides the right amount of coverage at a premium you can afford along with benefits that could potentially save you a lot of money.

MiWayLife policies include a funeral cover benefit

When you buy life insurance from MiWayLife, you get to benefit from a 4-in-1 policy. For one low monthly premium, you’ll receive comprehensive life insurance, a terminal illness benefit and funeral cover PLUS funeral cover for your spouse as well as your wider family members that can all be covered as additional insured lives on your policy. Our funeral benefit is set at 10% of the total amount of your available life cover with a maximum of R50 000. As this benefit is accelerated, it pays out fast – within 48 hours of receiving the required claim information.

While planning a funeral may seem daunting, it’s an act of love and foresight that can greatly benefit your family during a difficult time. Also, once you’ve created a plan and put the right policies in place, you can focus on living life to the full with greater peace of mind.

Did You Know:

You can now take out life cover with us online in a few simple steps. No calls and no agents! Make sure to take care of those you love today by buying MiWayLife cover online.