A few months ago, a close friend of mine lost his father unexpectedly. In the middle of his grief, he also had to scramble to cover urgent costs—things like paying for the funeral venue deposit, catering for extended family, and even small but immediate expenses like printing funeral programs. What struck me most wasn’t just the emotional chaos but how quickly money became the pressing problem. And it wasn’t about thousands of rands in inheritance or long-term financial planning. It was about cash in hand—right now.
That’s where I started paying attention to the “Pay Now Death Benefit” that comes with 1Life’s Pure Life Cover. It’s a feature not everyone talks about, but in situations like my friend’s, it could mean the difference between begging family members for loans and having breathing room to mourn properly.
Let’s unpack this together, because on the surface it sounds simple: a portion of life cover paid out almost immediately after death. But as with all insurance, the reality is layered with both advantages and limitations.
Why Immediate Cash Matters More Than We Think
When someone passes away, the first thought isn’t, “How will I access the estate in six months?” It’s usually something practical—How do we get the body transported? Who’s paying for the coffin deposit? Will the funeral home accept a payment plan?
In South Africa, funeral costs often need to be covered within a week. Funerals aren’t just personal affairs either; they’re cultural and communal. Extended families, neighbors, church members—everyone expects a respectful send-off. And the price tag? Easily between R15,000 and R40,000, depending on how elaborate the arrangements are.
Life insurance payouts, on the other hand, can take weeks to process. Paperwork, verifications, waiting on death certificates—all of that creates delays. During that gap, families often end up borrowing money, dipping into emergency savings (if they have any), or cutting corners on the funeral. It’s messy and, frankly, heartbreaking.
The “Pay Now Death Benefit” tries to plug that gap by giving a quick advance—up to R50,000 from 1Life’s Pure Life Cover—so the family has immediate access to funds.
What Exactly Is the Pay Now Death Benefit?
In simple terms, it’s like an emergency release button on your life cover. Instead of waiting for the entire lump sum payout, a portion (specifically for immediate expenses) is released within 24 hours after the claim is validated.
But notice the word validated. That’s the part many people skim over. The insurer still needs certain documents to confirm the death and policy details before paying out. From what I’ve seen, that usually means a copy of the death certificate, ID copies, and the policyholder’s details. If everything is in order, the money is released fairly quickly.
Still, it’s not automatic magic. I’ve heard stories where delays creep in if, say, the death happened under unusual circumstances or if the documentation isn’t submitted properly. So while 24 hours sounds amazing, in reality it could stretch a little longer.
A Story That Brings It Home
I’ll go back to my friend’s situation. He didn’t have access to this kind of benefit because his dad’s policy didn’t include it. By the third day, family members were having tense debates about who would cover what. His aunt had to dip into her grocery budget, cousins pooled their monthly salaries, and by the time the funeral came around, everyone was financially exhausted.
Now, imagine if even R20,000 had been available within a day. It wouldn’t have solved everything, but it would have covered transport, basic catering, and deposits. The family wouldn’t have had to argue in their grief. That’s the subtle but powerful role the Pay Now Death Benefit can play—it buys time, dignity, and peace of mind.
Where 1Life Gets It Right
There are a few things 1Life deserves credit for with this feature:
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Speed: The promise of 24-hour payout is genuinely useful. In an industry where delays are almost expected, this kind of turnaround stands out.
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Amount Offered: Up to R50,000 isn’t small change. For many families, that’s enough to cover most funeral-related costs.
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Integration: It’s not a separate add-on product. It comes built into the Pure Life Cover, which simplifies things for policyholders who don’t want to juggle multiple plans.
It’s the kind of benefit that feels thoughtfully designed for South Africans who often shoulder financial responsibilities for extended families, not just nuclear ones.
But Let’s Not Pretend It’s Perfect
As much as I like the concept, it’s worth pointing out what could trip people up:
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Documentation Hurdles: If paperwork isn’t submitted quickly or accurately, that “24-hour” promise may evaporate. In real life, families don’t always have the presence of mind to chase down documents in the middle of grief.
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Circumstantial Delays: Deaths involving accidents or investigations may trigger additional checks, slowing things down.
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Not an Extra Benefit: The payout is an advance on the policy, not a bonus. Which means the final payout later will be reduced by whatever was advanced. Families who expect the full cover amount later might be caught off guard if they don’t understand this upfront.
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Cultural Expectations: In some communities, R50,000 won’t cover everything—especially if a large funeral is expected. So while it helps, it doesn’t fully remove financial strain.
So, Who Really Benefits the Most?
The Pay Now Death Benefit seems most useful for families who don’t have big emergency savings tucked away. In South Africa, that’s a lot of people. According to some surveys, more than half of households say they couldn’t cover an unexpected R10,000 expense without borrowing.
On the flip side, wealthier families with ready cash or access to credit might not lean on this benefit as heavily. For them, the value of the Pure Life Cover lies more in the overall payout than in the immediate advance.
But for middle-class and working-class households, this benefit could make the difference between a stressful scramble and a manageable process.
The Emotional Side We Don’t Always Talk About
Money is never just money at a funeral. It’s about dignity. It’s about making sure the person is remembered properly. It’s about avoiding family fights in an already fragile moment.
When you strip it down, the Pay Now Death Benefit isn’t just a financial feature—it’s a tool that helps families protect their emotional wellbeing. Having quick access to funds means decisions can be made calmly, rather than in panic. And that changes the entire experience of loss.
My Take as an Observer
If I’m being honest, I like the Pay Now Death Benefit more than most insurance add-ons I’ve come across. It tackles a very specific, very real pain point that too many families face.
That said, I’d encourage anyone considering 1Life’s Pure Life Cover to look at the fine print and understand exactly how it works. Don’t just assume that “24 hours” applies in every possible scenario. Ask your financial advisor what documents your family will need, and maybe even keep a checklist handy. Because in grief, the last thing you want is confusion or unmet expectations.
Final Thoughts
We often buy life insurance thinking about the long term—leaving something behind for children, paying off debts, or securing an inheritance. But death brings immediate costs too, and those costs can be crushing. 1Life’s Pay Now Death Benefit is a smart attempt to bridge that awkward gap.
It won’t solve every problem, and it isn’t foolproof. But it does recognize the reality that families need cash urgently, not eventually. And that recognition makes it more than just a line in a policy document—it makes it a feature that can shape real lives at one of their hardest moments.
If I could go back in time and gift my friend’s family access to just that one benefit, I know their experience of loss would have been a little less painful. Not easier, but less burdened. And in the middle of grief, that’s often the best gift insurance can give.