When a Loved One Dies at Home

It's difficult to think clearly in a crisis. When a loved one passes away at home, there is a specific process you need to follow. Here are the essential things to remember if you ever find yourself in this situation.

If death was from natural causes (illness or disease), you need to contact a doctor or medical professional who can issue a death notice. For death due to unnatural causes like crime, you need to contact the police. In this case, a death notice is given after an autopsy and is issued by the mortuary.

Legally, a death notice needs to be signed by a doctor or medical professional confirming the cause of death. You will need the notification of death to arrange burial or cremation with a funeral service, for insurance claims, and to register the death of your loved one.

Once you have a notification of death, you need to register the death at the Department of Home Affairs or with the help of a funeral undertaker. If you don't have access to a Home Affairs office, you can go to your nearest South African Police Station.

Funeral Benefit insurance offers financial protection for loved ones dealing with trauma and loss. For them, it's one less thing to worry about when their world has been turned upside down. A funeral policy provides the funds to consult and use professionals, like undertakers, to handle all the necessary details.

Losing a loved one is a huge shock. You can be prepared with a policy that covers the cost of saying goodbye.