Funeral cover is an insurance policy that pays a lump-sum benefit to help cover funeral costs. In South Africa, funerals can be very expensive – a modest ceremony often costs R15,000–R50,000. By having funeral cover for your parents (especially those over 60), you ensure that funds are available to pay for caskets, burial plots, catering, transport and other expenses, so the family is not left scrambling for money at a difficult time. In short, funeral cover offers peace of mind and financial protection when a parent passes.
Why Funeral Cover Matters
Many South African parents are retired or nearing retirement and live on fixed incomes. If an elderly parent dies, the immediate funeral expenses (coffin, venue, catering, etc.) can be overwhelming. Funeral cover guarantees that money will not be a barrier to giving them a dignified send-off. It protects children or other family members from having to take on debt or dip into savings unexpectedly.
Key reasons funeral cover is vital:
- Funerals in SA often cost thousands of rand (middle-class funerals can be R15k–R50k), which can wipe out a family’s savings.
- A funeral plan provides cash quickly so the family does not need loans or credit.
- It ensures a dignified ceremony (coffin, flowers, catering) without financial stress.
- Many plans pay out faster than standard life insurance, covering expenses immediately.
Types of Funeral Cover Plans
When insuring parents, you can choose between different plan structures:
- Individual plan: Covers only the policyholder. You could insure your parent directly or yourself on such a plan.
- Family plan: Covers the main member plus dependents (spouse, children and extended family). For example, Discovery’s plan can cover up to 20 lives, including up to 4 parents.
- Parent add-on: Some plans let you add elderly parents (or parents-in-law) as dependents (often at an extra premium). Age caps apply: e.g. 1Life covers parents up to age 75 (in-laws 65), and Capitec covers parents ages 26–85.
Eligibility, Medicals and Waiting Periods
- Age limits: Policyholders are often 18–60/65, but you can insure older relatives too. For example, 1Life allows parents up to age 75, Capitec up to age 85, and Old Mutual up to about 84.
- Medical tests: Generally none. Most funeral plans require no medical exam. Capitec explicitly says “no medical tests”, and Assupol says “no underwriting or medical questions”, even for seniors.
- Waiting period: A waiting period (usually 6 months) applies for natural deaths. For instance, 1Life’s plan has a 6-month wait on natural death (accidental deaths are covered immediately). Old Mutual similarly has a 6-month window (with premiums returned if death occurs in that period).
Comparing Top Providers (2025)
- Old Mutual: Covers up to R50,000 per parent (under the standard plan). Parents can be insured into their 70s/80s. Benefits include a monthly grocery/education stipend and premium-holiday options; importantly, premiums stop at age 65 while cover continues.
- Capitec Bank (Funeral Cover): Through the Capitec app you can insure yourself, your spouse and up to 4 parents. Parents (age 26–85) get up to R50,000 cover each. Plans start around R25/month. Capitec requires no medical tests and pays immediate accidental cover.
- Discovery Funeral Plan: Flexible plans (Essential/Classic) with cover from R10k up to R100,000. You can add up to 4 parents. Unique perks: 15% premium discounts for medical scheme members, plus cashback (Discovery can return 100% of premiums by age 65). Claims are typically paid within 24 hours.
- 1Life Funeral Cover: Covers up to 16 people, each with up to R50,000 cover. Parents up to 75 (in-laws 65) qualify. 1Life includes a grocery stipend, a tombstone/memorial benefit and repatriation services. They also highlight extremely fast claims (some paid in minutes). There is a 6-month waiting period on illness/death.
- Metropolitan Funeral Plan: One plan can cover 20 lives – up to R100,000 for primary members and R70,000 for parents/extended. Extras: transport (repatriation) coverage, a memorial grant, a “premium skip” option, and cashback (12.5% of premiums back after 24 months). Metro processes claims via WhatsApp and can pay valid claims in about 4 hours.
- Clientèle Funeral Plans: The Dignity Plan covers up to 13 people with up to R50,000 each. It pays out within 24 hours of claim and includes a free groceries voucher, unveiling allowance and repatriation support.
- Assupol Funeral Cover: Affordable premiums (from ~R75pm) with up to R75,000 family cover. No medicals required, and you can cover unlimited extended family up to age 79. Claims are very quick (76% paid within 4 hours). Optional add-ons include groceries, airtime or electricity top-ups for the bereaved.
(Other options: AVBOB, MiWay, FNB and Absa funeral plans similarly cover parents (often up to age 75–80, with ~R50k max cover) and offer perks like funeral grants or cash-ups on death. Always compare quotes to see which policy fits your needs.)
Key Considerations
- Payout speed: Some plans emphasize extremely fast claims. For example, 1Life highlights claim payouts in minutes and Capitec covers accidents instantly. Discovery, Metro and Clientèle advertise “claims paid within 24 hours”, and Assupol notes 76% of claims are settled within 4 hours. Fast payouts can be invaluable in a crisis.
- Value-added benefits: Check for extras that help mourners. Old Mutual offers grocery/education stipends for 12 months; Clientèle and Assupol include vouchers for groceries or airtime; Capitec and Metropolitan offer repatriation cover. These add-ons can ease family burdens beyond the basic funeral.
- Premiums & inflation protection: Compare how premiums rise with age. Some insurers freeze or stop premiums at retirement (Old Mutual stops at 65). Some plans include inflation guards (automatic cover increases). Cashback features (Discovery and Metro) also boost value by returning some premiums.
- Service and reputation: A policy is only good if it pays out reliably. All major insurers listed are FSCA-licensed. Companies like Discovery, Capitec, Old Mutual and Assupol have strong track records of paying claims promptly. Reading reviews or asking friends can help gauge which insurer is most dependable.
Common Questions
Can I get funeral cover for my very elderly parent?
Usually yes, as long as they fall within the insurer’s age limit. For example, you can add parents up to age 75 on 1Life or up to 85 on Capitec’s plan.
Is medical testing required?
Almost never. Funeral policies are designed for simplicity, so insurers like Capitec and Assupol advertise “no medical tests”.
How much cover should I buy?
Aim for at least the expected funeral cost. Given that many South African funerals can reach R15k–R50k, children often buy R30k–R50k cover per parent. Remember that most plans cap the benefit (typically R50k or R100k per person).
Conclusion
Planning funeral cover for your parents is about ensuring they get a dignified send-off without burdening the family financially. By comparing policies in 2025 – and considering cover amounts, age limits and added benefits – you can find the best funeral policy for your elderly parents in South Africa. The right plan will give everyone peace of mind that your parents’ final expenses are fully covered.
