Most families budget for the coffin and the burial or cremation fee, and then get caught out by everything else. Catering, transport, tents, and tombstones can add tens of thousands of rands on top of the basic service.
For the full breakdown of what a basic funeral costs at South Africa's major providers, see our main guide: Can You Afford to Die? The Cost of Funerals in South Africa.
The costs families forget to budget for
| Expense | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Catering & groceries | R3,000 – R10,000 |
| Transport (hearse, family travel) | R1,000 – R5,000 |
| Tents, chairs & equipment | R2,000 – R6,000 |
| Grave plot / burial fees | R2,000 – R8,000 |
| Tombstone (usually months later) | R5,000 – R20,000+ |
| Programmes & décor | R500 – R3,000 |
Add these to the basic service fee and it's common for a total funeral in South Africa to reach R30,000–R50,000 once everything is accounted for, which is exactly why having cover in place before you need it matters.
How Meerkat funeral cover helps
Meerkat funeral cover pays out a lump sum: not just enough for the basic service, but enough to help with the extras too. Premiums start from R45/month, one policy can cover your whole family, and valid claims are paid in 24 hours, in real time, regardless of which bank you use.
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