Funeral cover prices · reviewed August 2026
What funeral cover actually costs per month, what each insurer pays out, and how long families wait for the money. Cover from R55 per month, payouts up to R100,000, typically settled within 48 hours.
Funeral cover in South Africa pays a tax-free lump sum, usually within 48 hours of a validated claim, to cover burial or cremation costs. Prices are driven by the payout amount and the age of every life on the plan: R30,000 of cover costs roughly R65–R120 a month for a single adult, while a family plan covering two adults and four children runs R200–R350. Cover is capped at R100,000 per life, requires no medicals, and carries a six-month waiting period for death from natural causes.
R30,000 cover for a single adult costs R65–R120 per month. A family plan covering two adults and four children at R30,000 each runs R200–R350 per month; adding a parent adds R70–R160 depending on age.
Price bands
Indicative monthly premiums across the South African market, August 2026. Family bands assume two adults aged 30–45 and up to four children at the same payout level.
| Payout amount | Single adult | Family (2 adults + 4 children) |
|---|---|---|
| R10,000 | R30 – R55 /pm | R95 – R150 /pm |
| R30,000 | R65 – R120 /pm | R200 – R350 /pm |
| R50,000 | R110 – R190 /pm | R300 – R520 /pm |
| R75,000 | R160 – R270 /pm | R420 – R700 /pm |
| R100,000 | R205 – R340 /pm | R540 – R890 /pm |
Provider-by-provider
Ranked on payout speed, cover ceiling and value for money. Each entry explains why it ranks there and the one thing to check before signing.
| # | Insurer | From | Max payout | Payout window | Waiting period | Lives covered | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AVBOB | R110/pm | R100,000 | 24–48 hours | 6 months (natural causes) | Up to 13 family members | 9.2 |
| 2 | Old Mutual | R95/pm | R100,000 | 48 hours | 6 months (natural causes) | Up to 15 lives incl. extended family | 8.9 |
| 3 | Sanlam | R105/pm | R100,000 | 48 hours | 6 months (natural causes) | Up to 21 lives | 8.7 |
| 4 | Metropolitan | R55/pm | R75,000 | 48 hours | 6 months (natural causes) | Up to 10 lives | 8.4 |
| 5 | Assupol | R75/pm | R100,000 | 48 hours | 6 months (natural causes) | Up to 14 lives, group plans available | 8.2 |
| 6 | Clientèle | R80/pm | R60,000 | 48 hours | 6 months (natural causes) | Up to 11 lives | 7.8 |
| 7 | Hollard | R99/pm | R100,000 | 48 hours | 6 months (natural causes) | Up to 12 lives | 7.9 |
| 8 | 1Life | R85/pm | R75,000 | 48 hours | 6 months (natural causes) | Up to 9 lives | 7.6 |
Why it ranks here. The only major that is both insurer and undertaker — a free funeral benefit worth roughly R12,000–R18,000 is bundled with the policy, plus a cash bonus on policies held to term.
Watch out. The free funeral benefit only applies if you use an AVBOB funeral home, which limits families who want their own undertaker.
Why it ranks here. Deepest claims-paying history in the market and the widest branch footprint, so families can lodge a claim in person in almost every town.
Watch out. Premiums escalate annually and step up sharply on lives over 65 — model the 10-year cost, not just year one.
Why it ranks here. Best extended-family structure in South Africa — up to 21 lives on one plan, which is the cheapest route to cover parents, in-laws and siblings together.
Watch out. Each added adult life starts its own waiting period, so a plan is only fully mature six months after the last person joins.
Why it ranks here. Cheapest credible entry point in the market — Cover2Go can be bought by USSD or phone in minutes with immediate accidental-death cover.
Watch out. Cover ceiling is R75,000, below the R100,000 the larger insurers allow, and day-to-day servicing is call-centre only.
Why it ranks here. Strongest group and stokvel funeral products in SA, with competitive parents-only pricing that most direct insurers will not match.
Watch out. Smaller digital footprint — most changes and claims still run through an adviser or branch.
Why it ranks here. Bundles legal assistance and an accidental-death top-up with the funeral payout, useful for households with no other cover at all.
Watch out. Lower cover ceiling and telesales-led onboarding — read the bundled benefits carefully before assuming value.
Why it ranks here. Flexible underwriting on extended family and a solid record on disputed claims, backed by SA's largest privately-owned insurer.
Watch out. Mostly broker-distributed, so pricing depends on the intermediary you happen to reach.
Why it ranks here. Fully online sign-up with transparent pricing — the fastest way to get funeral cover in force without a phone call.
Watch out. No bundled funeral services, so the payout has to cover the undertaker in full.
The average South African funeral costs R30,000–R80,000 once catering, transport and the tombstone are included. Buying R10,000 of cover to keep the premium low usually leaves the family short at exactly the wrong moment.
Undertakers want payment upfront. A 24–48-hour payout promise is worth more than a R20 monthly saving on a plan that settles in five working days.
Extended-family plans are priced per life, and each added adult starts a fresh six-month waiting period. Adding parents late is the most common reason a claim gets declined.