What To Do When Someone Dies in South Africa

You’ve just lost someone close to you. It’s one of the hardest moments you’ll ever face, and the last thing you need right now is confusion about what comes next.

This guide walks you through everything you need to do — step by step, in order — from the first phone call to the administrative tasks in the weeks that follow. You don’t need to do everything at once. Take it one step at a time, and ask for help when you need it.

Keep this page open on your phone or print it out. It’s here whenever you need to come back to it.

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The First Hours — What To Do Immediately

When someone dies, there are a few things that need to happen straight away. The exact steps depend on where the death occurred, but here’s the general sequence.

1. Confirm the Death

A medical professional must officially confirm that the person has died. This means:

• If they were in hospital or a care facility, the staff will handle this. A doctor on duty will confirm and record the time of death.
• If they died at home with a known illness, call their doctor or local clinic. If their doctor isn’t available, call an ambulance service (10177 from a landline, or your local ambulance number).
• If the death was sudden, unexpected, or unattended, call the South African Police Service (SAPS) on 10111 immediately. Do not move the body. This is a legal requirement.

2. Do Not Move the Body

This is important. Until a doctor or paramedic has confirmed the death and completed the necessary paperwork, the body must not be moved. If SAPS needs to attend (for unattended or unnatural deaths), they will need to examine the scene.

3. Call a Funeral Home

Once the death has been confirmed and the doctor has completed the death notification form (BI-1663), you can call a funeral home to collect the body. Most funeral homes operate 24 hours a day and will send a team to the location.

If you don’t have a funeral home in mind, our funeral home directory can help you find one in your area quickly.

4. Gather Important Documents

While you’re waiting, start gathering these documents — you’ll need them over the coming days:

• The deceased’s ID book or smart ID card
• Your own ID (as next of kin)
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• The deceased’s medical aid card
• Insurance policy documents (funeral cover, life insurance)
• Birth certificates of dependants
• Will or testament (if you know where it is)
• Bank account details

Don’t worry if you can’t find everything immediately. The funeral home and Home Affairs will tell you exactly what they need.

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Death at Home vs Hospital vs On Scene

The process differs depending on where the person died. Here’s what to expect in each situation.

Death in Hospital or Care Facility

This is the most straightforward scenario. The attending doctor will:

• Confirm the death and record the time
• Complete the death notification form (BI-1663)
• Hand the BI-1663 to you or directly to the funeral home
• Release the body to the funeral home once you’ve arranged collection

The hospital may also provide a preliminary cause-of-death statement for your records.

Death at Home (Expected — Illness or Old Age)

If the person was terminally ill or elderly and died at home under expected circumstances:

• Call their treating doctor or GP
• The doctor will attend, confirm the death, and complete the BI-1663
• If the doctor can’t attend in person, call emergency medical services
• Once the BI-1663 is completed, call your chosen funeral home for collection

Death at Home or on Scene (Unexpected or Unattended)

If the death was sudden, unexpected, or you weren’t present when it happened:

• Call SAPS immediately on 10111
• Do not move the body or disturb the scene
• SAPS will attend, open an inquest docket, and issue a case number
• The body will be taken to a state mortuary for a post-mortem examination by a forensic pathologist
• The post-mortem determines the cause of death
• Once released, you can arrange collection by your funeral home

This process takes longer — sometimes several days for the post-mortem results. Your funeral home can advise you on expected timelines.

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Getting the Death Certificate

There are two documents people often confuse: the death notification form and the death certificate. They’re different, and you need both.

Death notification form (BI-1663): Completed by the doctor who confirmed the death. This is the medical document that records the cause and circumstances. You get this first.

Death certificate (DHA-1663): Issued by the Department of Home Affairs. This is the official legal document you need for insurance claims, bank accounts, estate administration, and everything else.

How to Get the Death Certificate

1. The doctor completes the BI-1663 and gives it to you or the funeral home
2. The funeral home typically submits the BI-1663 to Home Affairs on your behalf
3. You (or the funeral home) apply for the DHA-1663 at your nearest Home Affairs office
4. For natural deaths, the certificate is usually issued within 1 to 3 working days

You’ll need multiple certified copies of the death certificate. Request at least 5 — banks, insurers, and other institutions all want their own copy.

For a full breakdown of the process, fees, and what to do if things go wrong, read our complete guide: Death Certificate South Africa — How to Apply.

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Choosing a Funeral Home

Choosing a funeral home is one of the first major decisions you’ll make, often within hours of the death. Here’s what to consider.

What to Look For

• Registration: Check that they’re registered with the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) or the Funeral Federation of South Africa (FFSA). This isn’t legally required, but it signals professionalism.
• Transparency on pricing: A reputable funeral home will give you a clear, itemised quote. Be wary of anyone who won’t discuss costs upfront.
• Range of services: Some funeral homes handle everything from body preparation to catering. Others focus on specific services. Decide how much help you want.
• Cultural and religious sensitivity: If specific traditions are important, check that the funeral home has experience with your requirements.
• Location: Proximity matters, especially if family members need to visit the funeral home for viewings or arrangements.

Questions to Ask

• What is included in your basic package, and what costs extra?
• Can you handle the Home Affairs paperwork for the death certificate?
• Do you offer payment plans?
• What are your cold storage fees if the funeral is delayed?
• Can you accommodate our cultural or religious requirements?

Browse funeral homes in your area and compare services using our funeral home directory.

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Planning the Funeral — Key Decisions in the First 48 Hours

You don’t need to have everything sorted immediately, but a few decisions should be made early because they affect everything else.

Burial or Cremation?

This is often the first question. Consider:

• Cultural and religious requirements: Many traditions have strong preferences. Zulu, Xhosa, and Sotho traditions typically favour burial. Hindu tradition requires cremation. Christian denominations vary.
• Cost: Cremation is generally less expensive than burial, but not always. A basic cremation starts around R5,000 to R8,000; a basic burial from R8,000 to R15,000, plus cemetery fees.
• Family wishes: Did the deceased express a preference? Check for a will or pre-paid funeral plan.

For a detailed comparison, see our guide: Cremation vs Burial in South Africa.

Setting the Date and Venue

• Most funerals in South Africa take place within 3 to 7 days of the death
• Saturday funerals are most common, though this varies by culture and religion
• Muslim burials typically happen within 24 hours
• Check venue availability (church, community hall, or graveside service)
• Confirm cemetery availability if burial is chosen — municipal cemeteries may have waiting lists in busy areas

Cultural and Religious Requirements

South Africa’s diversity means funeral practices vary widely. A few examples:

• Zulu tradition: Night vigil (umlindelo), specific burial rites, slaughtering of a beast
• Xhosa tradition: Formal mourning period, specific dress codes, traditional ceremonies
• Sotho/Tswana tradition: Mourning rituals, involvement of extended family, ancestral rites
• Christian tradition: Church service, hymns, graveside committal
• Muslim tradition: Ghusl (ritual washing), Janazah prayer, burial within 24 hours, no cremation
• Hindu tradition: Cremation, specific prayers and rituals, mourning period

For detailed guides on each tradition, visit our funeral traditions section.

Budget

Set a realistic budget early. Funeral costs in South Africa range from R5,000 for a basic cremation to R50,000 or more for a full burial with all the trimmings. Knowing your budget helps you make decisions without financial stress piling onto emotional stress.

Read our full breakdown: Funeral Costs in South Africa.

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Notifying Family, Employer, and Institutions

Family and Friends

Start with immediate family, then extend outward. Delegate this task if you can — ask a trusted family member or friend to help spread the word. A single WhatsApp group or message chain can save you dozens of individual calls.

Employer

Notify the deceased’s employer as soon as possible. You’ll need to:

• Inform HR of the death
• Ask about any death benefits, pension, or group life cover
• Arrange collection of personal belongings
• Clarify final salary, leave payouts, and UIF entitlements

Institutions to Notify

Work through this list in the first two weeks:

• Banks: Freeze accounts to prevent unauthorised transactions. You’ll need the death certificate.
• Insurance companies: Life insurance, funeral cover, vehicle insurance, household insurance.
• Medical aid: Cancel membership or transfer dependants.
• SARS: The deceased’s tax affairs need to be finalised. A final tax return must be filed.
• Pension or provident fund: Contact the fund administrator to claim death benefits.
• Municipal accounts: Water, electricity, rates — transfer to surviving spouse or estate.
• Vehicle licensing: If the deceased owned a vehicle, it must be re-registered.
• Subscription services: Cell phone contracts, streaming services, gym memberships, insurance policies.

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Claiming Funeral Insurance or Cover

If the deceased had funeral insurance or a funeral policy, you need to claim as quickly as possible. Many policies pay out within 48 hours of receiving the required documents.

How to Claim

1. Contact the insurer — call their claims line and get a claim reference number
2. Submit documents — typically the insurer will need:

• Certified copy of the death certificate (DHA-1663)
• Deceased’s ID document
• Claimant’s ID document
• Proof of banking details (for payout)
• Police report or case number (if unnatural death)
• Completed claim form

1. Follow up — if you haven’t heard back within 48 hours, call again

Typical Payout Timelines

• Funeral policies (e.g., Avbob, Old Mutual, Hollard): 24 to 48 hours after all documents are submitted
• Life insurance: 2 to 8 weeks, depending on the policy and complexity
• Group cover through employer: 2 to 4 weeks

If the policy is less than 6 months old, the insurer may investigate before paying out. This is standard — the waiting period is in the policy terms.

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Cultural Considerations

South Africa’s funeral traditions are as diverse as its people. How you plan the funeral depends heavily on the cultural and religious background of the deceased and their family.

We’ve created detailed guides for specific traditions:

• Zulu Funeral Traditions
• Xhosa Funeral Traditions
• Sotho Funeral Traditions
• Muslim Funeral Traditions
• Hindu Funeral Traditions
• Christian Funeral Traditions

Visit the full traditions section for more.

The most important thing is to discuss cultural expectations with the family early. Misunderstandings about traditions can cause real conflict at an already difficult time.

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Costs To Expect

Funeral costs in South Africa vary enormously depending on your choices. Here’s a rough range to help you plan:

These are estimates and vary by region. Get at least two quotes from funeral homes before committing.

For a detailed breakdown with real pricing data, read our guide: Funeral Costs in South Africa.

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Administrative Tasks in the First 30 Days

Once the funeral is over, there’s still important admin to take care of. Don’t leave these too long — some have legal deadlines.

Within 14 Days: Report the Estate

South African law requires that all estates (regardless of value) be reported to the Master of the High Court within 14 days of the date of death.

What you need to do:

1. Complete a death notice form (J-170) — available from the Master’s Office
2. Submit the death certificate (DHA-1663)
3. Submit the deceased’s will (if there is one)
4. Provide an inventory of assets and liabilities

Where to go: The Master of the High Court in the jurisdiction where the deceased lived. Find your nearest office on the Department of Justice website.

If there’s a will: An executor will be appointed (usually named in the will). They handle the estate from here.

If there’s no will: The Master’s Office will appoint an administrator. This process takes longer and can be complicated if there are disputes.

Within 30 Days

• File a final income tax return with SARS (or appoint a tax practitioner to do this)
• Transfer vehicle ownership
• Update property deeds (if applicable — this is handled through the estate process)
• Cancel or transfer municipal accounts
• Update or cancel insurance policies

Consider Getting Professional Help

Estate administration can be complex, especially if there’s property, investments, or debt involved. Consider appointing:

• A deceased estate attorney to handle the legal process
• A fiduciary specialist at a bank (most major banks offer this service)
• An accountant for the final tax return

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Where To Get Help

You don’t have to do this alone. Here are resources that can help.

Find a Funeral Home

Use our funeral home directory to find registered, reputable funeral homes in your area. You can filter by location, services, and read reviews from other families.

Find a funeral home in your area

Legal Help

• Legal Aid South Africa: Free legal assistance for those who can’t afford a private attorney. Call 0800 110 110.
• Law Society of South Africa: Referral to deceased estate attorneys in your area.
• Master of the High Court: For estate reporting and administration queries.

Grief Counselling

• SADAG (South African Depression and Anxiety Group): 0800 567 567 (toll-free). Available 7 days a week.
• Lifeline: 0861 322 322. Trained counsellors available 24 hours.
• Compassionate Friends SA: Peer support for bereaved parents and families.

Financial Advice

If you’re struggling with funeral costs, speak to the funeral home about payment plans, or contact the deceased’s insurance provider about expedited claims.

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Quick Checklist — What To Do When Someone Dies

Use this as a quick-reference summary. For the full, printable checklist with tick boxes, see our Funeral Planning Checklist.

Immediately:

• [ ] Call a doctor, paramedics, or SAPS (10111 for unattended deaths)
• [ ] Do not move the body until a professional arrives
• [ ] Contact a funeral home to arrange collection
• [ ] Gather the deceased’s ID, your ID, and any insurance documents

First 24-48 Hours:

• [ ] Obtain the death notification form (BI-1663) from the attending doctor
• [ ] Apply for the death certificate (DHA-1663) at Home Affairs
• [ ] Notify immediate family
• [ ] Decide on burial or cremation
• [ ] Start planning the funeral (date, venue, service)
• [ ] Contact insurance providers to start claims

First Week:

• [ ] Plan and hold the funeral service
• [ ] Notify employer, banks, medical aid, and pension fund
• [ ] Submit insurance claim documents
• [ ] Order certified copies of the death certificate (at least 5)

Within 14 Days:

• [ ] Report the estate to the Master of the High Court

Within 30 Days:

• [ ] File final tax return with SARS
• [ ] Transfer vehicle ownership
• [ ] Cancel or transfer municipal accounts and subscriptions

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Need help finding a funeral home? Our directory lists funeral service providers across South Africa. Compare services, get quotes, and find the right support for your family.

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