A loved one has just passed away

Get in touch with loved ones

When going through something as difficult as the passing of a loved one, it helps to gather family and close friends to support each other.

Identify the Person

The first step to take is to legally identify the deceased. Although this is usually done at the mortuary, the identification could also be done by a doctor if the death occurred at home. In order for the death certificate to be issued, you will need your own ID or passport, as well as the ID or passport of the deceased.

Appoint a Funeral Director

Funeral directors are compassionate professionals whose mission is to guide you through the process of arranging and hosting the funeral. Make sure to choose a funeral director whose religious views and beliefs are in harmony with the deceased’s religion

Notice of Death

A Notice of Death is a formal document stating the details of the deceased, and the cause of death. The Notice of Death may be issued by a medical practitioner or member of the South African Police Service. If the person passed away due to natural causes, the Notice of Death may be issued immediately. In other cases (such as a victim of crime, or a death during an operation) an autopsy must be performed before the Notice of Death may be issued. Hint: make multiple copies of the Notice of Death, and keep the original document in a safe place.

Death Certificate

As soon as you have the Notice of Death, you can use it to get a Death Certificate. This can be done by either going to the Department of Home Affairs, or some Funeral Directors may offer to do this on your behalf. The Death Certificate is an essential document that you will need for insurance claims, pension fund claims and to close the bank accounts of the deceased.

Arrange for your loved one to be moved

In order for your loved one to be prepared for burial or cremation, the body will be moved to the funeral director’s facilities. If the death occurred due to unnatural causes, an autopsy will first have to be performed at a state mortuary.

Contact the Insurance Company

Some insurance policies are dedicated funeral policies, where others may just have a funeral benefit as an addition to the policy. Get in touch with the deceased’s insurance company to determine how they can assist

Select and prepare the coffin

The next step is to prepare the coffin for your loved one. Your funeral director will assist you in choosing a coffin that is suitable for your loved one’s religion, and that will fall within the budget. Clothes will have to be chosen for the deceased, whether a formal suit or maybe a shroud as certain religions require. Some people request to be buried with certain of their possessions, so be certain to include these as well

Plan the memorial service

A beautiful service is a fitting way to say goodbye to your loved one. Your funeral director or religious leader will be assist you in organising the funeral or memorial service to honour the life of your loved one. Things to consider are the venue, catering and refreshments, and invitations. This is also the time to choose the pall bearers.

Will and Executor

A will is a document that your loved one might have drawn up, containing their wishes regarding their assets and investments. In the will, an executor will be specified,who is responsible for looking after your loved one’s wishes after their passing. If a will was never drawn up, it mist be reported to the Master of the High Court who will then appoint an executor.

UIF

If your loved one contributed to the Unemployed Insurance Fund (UIF), a child or spouse might be able to claim from this fund as a Dependant Benefit