I still remember the first funeral I ever attended as a child. My uncle had passed away unexpectedly, and although I didn’t quite understand death at the time, I do remember the adults whispering about money. It wasn’t just about the grief, it was about how much everything cost—the coffin, the transport, the food, even the tent that had to be rented for mourners. That moment stuck with me, not because of what was lost, but because of the quiet panic in the background: “How are we going to pay for all of this?”
This, in many ways, is why funeral cover is such a big deal in South Africa. Unlike in some parts of the world where funerals are smaller or less financially demanding, ours tend to be elaborate, community-focused, and costly. And that’s where a company like Old Mutual has positioned itself—not just as a financial provider but, in theory at least, as a partner in helping families navigate one of life’s most painful times. But the real question is whether their funeral cover genuinely lightens the burden or simply papers over deeper issues in how we deal with loss and money.
Why funerals in South Africa feel different
Funerals here are rarely quick, quiet affairs. They’re social gatherings that often last several days, sometimes a full week, depending on cultural practices. Neighbours, extended family, church members, and sometimes entire villages come together. It’s a way of honoring the life of the person who has passed, but it’s also a huge financial strain.
A typical funeral may require transportation of the body (especially if someone dies away from home), catering for dozens or even hundreds of guests, funeral program printing, church fees, and in some cases livestock or food to host community members. Costs can range from R15,000 to R50,000 or more—numbers that are staggering when you remember how many South Africans are still living paycheck to paycheck.
So, having funeral cover is not just a “nice to have.” For many, it’s survival. It’s about ensuring a dignified farewell that doesn’t leave the family drowning in debt.
Old Mutual’s approach
Old Mutual has been in this space for decades, which makes sense given its status as one of the oldest financial institutions in South Africa. Their funeral cover products promise quick payouts—sometimes within 24 to 48 hours—because delays can cause real problems. Imagine being unable to bury your loved one because the funds aren’t there; the stress compounds the grief.
The policies are structured around different tiers: you can choose basic plans that cover the essentials or more comprehensive ones that include things like repatriation of remains, grocery benefits for the family, or extended cover for multiple relatives. The selling point is flexibility—you insure not only yourself but also your spouse, children, and even parents or in-laws. In societies where extended families live under one roof, that makes sense.
But it’s not all smooth sailing. Some families I’ve spoken to have complained about the fine print. Waiting periods, exclusions, and the need to produce multiple documents at a time of emotional distress can feel like unnecessary hurdles. While Old Mutual markets the cover as a safety net, in practice, it can sometimes feel more like a web of technicalities that grieving families must navigate.
A personal glimpse
A close friend of mine lost her father a few years ago. He had an Old Mutual funeral policy, and at first, she was relieved—it meant they wouldn’t have to beg or borrow to give him a proper burial. The payout did arrive fairly quickly, but she mentioned the process of getting all the paperwork sorted was exhausting. Death certificates, ID copies, affidavits—the bureaucracy doesn’t wait for grief to subside. She told me something that has stayed with me: “The money helped, yes, but it still felt like I had to fight for it. And fighting is the last thing you want to do when you’re trying to mourn.”
That tension—between the promise of relief and the reality of paperwork—is where funeral policies in general, not just Old Mutual’s, come under scrutiny.
What makes Old Mutual stand out
Despite the critiques, Old Mutual does appear to have a few strengths that set it apart. Their brand carries weight; many South Africans trust the name simply because it’s been around so long. There’s also the convenience of having multiple product lines under one roof—if you already have life insurance, retirement annuities, or investment accounts with them, adding funeral cover feels like a natural extension.
Another point worth noting is their range of add-ons. Some plans include a cash payout for groceries or educational benefits for children left behind. Those may sound like small details, but they make a difference. Imagine a widow suddenly left with school fees looming or a family who can’t even afford basic groceries after funeral costs. That little bit of breathing room can mean the world.
Still, we should ask whether those extras are truly generous benefits or just clever marketing. A grocery allowance of R2,000, for instance, might help in the first week but quickly runs out in today’s economy. It’s valuable, but perhaps not as transformative as it is sometimes portrayed.
Cultural layers and expectations
One thing we can’t ignore is that funeral cover in South Africa is tied deeply to cultural identity. Funerals aren’t only about the person who has died; they’re about the family’s reputation, dignity, and standing in the community. To host a “small” or “inadequate” funeral may feel like a shameful thing, even if it makes financial sense.
Old Mutual taps into that unspoken pressure. Their marketing often emphasizes dignity, respect, and tradition—words that resonate strongly with people who want to honor loved ones the “right” way. Yet, that very marketing may also reinforce the idea that bigger, more expensive funerals are the only acceptable option. Should insurers be subtly pushing families toward costly cultural expectations instead of encouraging more sustainable ways to grieve? That’s a question worth asking.
Where things could improve
If I’m honest, the funeral cover industry in general feels ripe for rethinking. Yes, Old Mutual and others provide vital financial support, but they could do more to recognize the emotional toll of their processes. Imagine if insurers offered not just payouts but also grief counseling services, or if they streamlined claims so thoroughly that a single phone call could unlock everything without multiple visits to branches.
There’s also the issue of affordability. While Old Mutual’s premiums are marketed as accessible, the reality is that for lower-income households, even R150 per month can feel like a burden. And if you’re covering multiple family members, the costs climb quickly. Policies that lapse due to missed payments are another hidden heartbreak—people pay faithfully for years, miss two months during a tough period, and suddenly all those contributions mean nothing.
That kind of rigidity suggests that while funeral cover is a lifeline, it’s not always as compassionate as the advertisements suggest.
A broader reflection
Stepping back, I sometimes wonder if funeral cover is a band-aid for a deeper societal wound. Why is it that so many families are only one death away from financial crisis? Is it really about the cost of funerals, or is it about the lack of savings culture, inadequate wages, and systemic inequality that make financial shocks so devastating?
Old Mutual’s funeral cover is, in a sense, both a blessing and a symptom. It helps families survive the immediate financial blow, but it doesn’t change the underlying reality that South Africans are stretched thin. Perhaps expecting an insurance product to solve broader socioeconomic issues is unfair, but it’s worth acknowledging that context.
So, is it worth it?
For many families, yes. Old Mutual’s funeral cover provides peace of mind, and that’s not nothing. The quick payouts, family-wide coverage, and brand trust go a long way. If you’ve ever had to scramble for funeral costs, you know the relief of having a policy in place is real.
But it’s also not perfect. The administrative hurdles, the sometimes-limited benefits, and the affordability challenges all deserve mention. And while Old Mutual frames its product as an act of love and protection, there’s also a commercial truth: it’s still a business selling you peace of mind at a price.
Maybe the healthiest stance is a balanced one—acknowledge the value, but don’t be naïve about the trade-offs. Funeral cover, like any insurance, is about weighing risk. You’re paying not just for a payout, but for a promise. Whether that promise feels worthwhile depends on your family’s priorities, culture, and financial situation.
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