The loss of a loved one will always remain one of the most traumatic events in our lives. Added to that, the repatriation of the human remains to the deceased’s place of burial can be a distressing and expensive process. Burial Repatriation is the process whereby human remains are transported from the place of death to the final funeral home closest to the place of burial in South Africa.
The Burial Repatriation & Funeral Support benefit is one of the loyalty benefits for which members of a policy, underwritten by Sanlam Group Risk (SGR), qualify in terms of the Reality Access for SGR-loyalty programme (except if membership is limited to funeral insurance policies only).
The Burial Repatriation & Funeral Support benefit contributes towards the transport arrangement of the deceased’s body back home to the final funeral home closest to the place of burial in South Africa. The service therefore assists the bereaved family and next-of-kin with the repatriation of the mortal remains (of the principal member or qualifying spouse or children) by road or by air, to a funeral home closest to their normal place of residence in South Africa, as well as guiding them through the steps needed to arrange a funeral.
How and where is the service provided?
If the death occurred within South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Zimbabwe, Botswana or Namibia, transportation of the deceased is provided to a funeral home closest to the place of burial within South Africa.
Can relatives use the transport services?
If the death of the family member (principal member or qualifying spouse or children) occurs in South Africa, transportation arrangements will be made for one relative to accompany the mortal remains to the final funeral home and can include overnight accommodation, if necessary.
How can the bereaved family and next-of-kin arrange for the service?
The insured’s next of kin can access this benefit, either by themselves or via the principal insured’s employer, by calling the 24/7 specialised call centre number 0860 732 548 or 9 and following the prompt for “Reality Access for SGR”.
Calls can be answered in any one of the official languages of South Africa.
Click here for what information is required to arrange the service.
What other services can be requested to help simplify the bereaved family?
- Legal assistance can be arranged to assist with the interpretation of the will and the management of the necessary documentation; this service is provided in terms of the Legal Assist-loyalty benefit.
- Telephonic counselling can also be arranged for the bereaved family; this service is provided in terms of the Trauma, Assault and HIV Assist-loyalty benefit.
All the services can be arranged via the 24/7 specialised Call Centre number 0860 732 548 or 9
Reality Access for SGR is a loyalty programme administered by Sanlam Reality, South Africa’s second largest loyalty programme.