Funeral Cover
What is a funeral policy?
A funeral policy, also known as a funeral cover or funeral insurance is a type of insurance that covers death. Funeral policies, like with any other contract of insurance, can have an excess payable upon the event occurring (in this case, death).
With Excess
Without Excess
With excess:
If for example, you have a Fifteen Thousand Rand Policy and opted out of the annual escalations, then your policy carries just the cash value. This means that upon death, if based on the requirements, the funeral amounts to Twenty Thousand Rand, then a top up amount of Five Thousand Rand is paid as the excess.
To illustrate this, in 2010, a simple but elegant funeral cost approximately Ten Thousand Rand. In 2025, the exact same funeral now costs closer to Twenty-Five Thousand. We do not know what it would cost in 2030 and beyond, so we strongly suggest opting in for the annual escalation.
Without excess:
With our annually escalating policies, you never have to worry about scrambling for funds upon a death occurring. All items shown in each of our covers, will always be covered by us. This means that we will absorb whatever increases in costs occur. Our annual escalations are linked to the annual increase in hall hire and cremation fees.
How do I know which policy is right for me?
There are a few key considerations. Upon death, families should be focused on grieving, not on scrambling to find financial resources for the funeral service. We always recommend the purchase of adequate insurance and strongly suggest the without excess clause. Whilst every year, your insurance policy will cost a few Rands more, it is advisable.
As a more concrete example, take for instance the reality of a cremation cost. In 2007, the average cost of cremation was R 700. Today, nearly 18 years later, it is on average, above R 3,000.
How do I know which package I should choose?
Choosing the right funeral cover to fit your needs is important. Below are a few key factors to consider when taking out a funeral policy.
Home, Hall or Both – Do you live in a premises that is able to accommodate a large group of people, with ample parking and sufficient security? If not, then perhaps the policy including the Hall Hire is best suited for you.
Weight and Dimensions – Do you weigh above 80 Kg Is your shirt size above a 42? Is your pants size above
a size 36? Are you taller than 1.9 m? These are not body shaming questions but are practical ones. A coffin can only take a maximum weight of 80 Kg and has a width (at the waist section) of 45 cm. The length of the coffin is 2 m, and space is required at the top to ensure you do not look squashed in the coffin. We always recommend taking a policy with the use of a casket as this prevents having to purchase one upon death.
Health Concerns – Do you suffer with renal failure or cancer? If so, we strongly recommend the purchase of a funeral policy with a casket. This is based on our experiences that upon death, renal patients swell up, whilst cancer patients take a longer time to cremate, requiring more wood.
Floral Arrangements – Do you want a simple coffin spread or a large sprawling one? Do you want the hall to be decorated and draped or would you prefer a simple funeral with zero frills? If you would prefer the former, then there is a definite need for the prestige package.
Vehicle Choice – If home is located on a bend or has a steep driveway, then a stretched hearse would not be able to come through. This means that a smaller hearse will be required. However, if you have a preference towards the higher end stretched hearses, then a higher package is recommended.
Your age – If you are above the of 70, unfortunately you are able to only choose from one package, the Classic option. If you are below the age of 70, you have the ability to choose from any of our packages.
Repatriation – Do you live in between cities and worried about passing away, away from home? We also offer repatriation services for an additional amount. Enquire about the service when signing up.
What is not covered by our funeral policies:
Pacemaker – A Deceased may not be cremated with a pacemaker, and it must be removed by a doctor. Costs of removal are not covered by any of our policies.
Notice of Death – Upon death, a Notice of Death and Cremation Form (if cremation is to be performed) is required. This must be procured from your family GP or the last consulting doctor of the Deceased. The
costs of the Notice of Death and Cremation forms are not covered by any of our policies.
Caskets – None of our policies cover caskets that are domes, patterned, extra length or oversized. Our Prestige Policy does cover a single-oversize (XL) coffin.
Removal of Colostomy Bag and other Medical Tubing – None of our policies cover the removal of a colostomy bag or any other medically inserted tubing.
Cash value – Please note that our funeral policies do not carry a surrender value. In the event that Newlands City Funeral Services do not conduct the funeral, an administrative fee may be levied.
Core
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Repatriation within a fifty-kilometre radius
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Storage for seven days
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Preparation, bathing and dressing of the deceased
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Polished coffin of choice
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One large floral arrangement
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Rose Petals or Sandalwood (1 Kg)
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Stretched hearse
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Delivery to home
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Delivery to hall
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Hall hire (maximum 90 minutes)
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Red carpet hire
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Superior butler services
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Antechamber aid
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Administration and completion of cremation documentation
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Registration of death
Premium
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Repatriation within a fifty-kilometre radius
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Storage for seven days
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Preparation, bathing and dressing of the deceased
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Choice of any flat-lid casket or oversized coffin
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One large floral arrangement
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Two medium floral arrangements
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Twenty long stem roses
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Rose petals and sandalwood (1 Kg each)
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Stretched hearse
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Delivery to home
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Delivery to hall
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Hall hire (maximum of 90 minutes)
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Hall décor
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Superior butler services
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Antechamber aid
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Administration and completion of cremation documentation
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Registration of death.
Classic
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Repatriation within a fifty-kilometre radius
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Storage for seven days
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Preparation, bathing and dressing of the deceased
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Unpolished coffin
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One medium floral arrangement
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Non-stretched hearse
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Delivery to home (Maximum of three hours)
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Delivery to crematorium (Maximum thirty minutes)
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Superior butler services
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Antechamber aid
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Administration and completion of documentation to perform cremation
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Registration of death