The festive season is fast approaching and many South Africans are planning how they will spend the holidays with their families.
The excitement of the holiday season overshadows the need for taking time to plan ahead for such circumstances, and when it happens, it finds them unprepared.
A moonstone report shows that approximately 42% of adult South Africans reported having funeral cover in 2021, down from 53% in 2019.
The Director of Morena Style Funeral Services, Jeffrey Morena Tlhagane, said preparing ahead for such events can help relieve all of the financial strain that comes with it.
“No one can predict the future, an unexpected death of a loved one during the holiday season can devastate an entire family,” said Tlhagane.
“Despite the fact that the holiday season can be hectic, there are a number of ways you can prepare for this important time of year to protect yourself and your loved ones should anything happen.
“Losing someone is difficult, but recognising the need for preparation is the first step towards learning how to deal with the loss. By planning ahead, we can allow ourselves to grieve and find peace after their death.”
Pointers to prepare for death of a loved one:
- Keep your policy up-to-date
Keeping your policy up-to-date will protect you and your family in case of an emergency, and you will have a smooth claim process when the time comes.
- Don’t let your policy lapse
It may seem simple to skip a payment, but it may not be the best decision. Missing a payment means that if something unexpected happens, such as the death of a loved one, your claim may not be paid.
- Choose a policy that handles paperwork
After the death of a loved one, you might need to complete a lot of paperwork. Choosing a funeral policy that handles 80% of the paperwork, such as obtaining a death certificate, will relieve some of the stress.
- Plan ahead
There’s no doubt the holidays will look different this year, but sometimes the anticipation can be worse than the event itself. By planning ahead for unforeseen events, you can avoid unnecessary stress and make the holiday season more enjoyable.
Also read: Accident claims lives of nine family members en route to a wedding
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