ARRANGING A FUNERAL

We understand that when a loved one dies it is a difficult time for you. That’s why AVBOB will help you to make the burial or cremation arrangements.
You just need to follow these five steps:

Call your local AVBOB agent or dial 0861 28 26 21. Our funeral agents are available 24 hours a day - 7 days a week, and will advise you on what you need to do.

You can arrange the burial or cremation at your local AVBOB funeral agency, or you can request that an AVBOB funeral agent come see you at your home. Even if the person who died is to be buried or cremated in a different town or city, to where they died, you should still contact your nearest AVBOB funeral agency to help you with the arrangements.

Remember: As part of our FREE member benefits*, AVBOB provides FREE transport of the body of the person who died within South Africa.

Your AVBOB agent will ask you what day and time you want the burial or cremation to take place.

It is law in South Africa that all deaths must be registered. AVBOB will do this for you, but we will need you to give the following to us:

  • The Notice of Death (this is form DHA-1663). You will be given this form by a doctor or other medical expert who confirms the death.
  • The identity document or ID smart card of the person who died.

There are a number of decisions you will need to make about the burial or cremation. It is best to speak to the family members of the person who died before deciding. That way you can be sure that everyone is satisfied with the service. You can also check if the person who died left any instructions which could have been included in their Last Will & Testament.

THE DECISIONS YOU MUST MAKE ARE AS FOLLOWS:

  1. Must the person be buried or cremated?
  2. Where must the burial or cremation service be held? Not only the town or city, but also the place, like a church, chapel, or at the graveside.
  3. Should there be a memorial service and if there is, who is the minister or other religious leader who should conduct the service?
  4. What type of flowers should there be at the service, and what must be done with them after the service?
  5. Do you want to tell people about the burial or cremation in the newspaper?
  6. Who will carry the coffin/casket?
  7. Do you want leaflets handed out at the service? How many must be printed? Do you want them in colour or black and white? What information do you want in the leaflets?
  8. The type of coffin or casket?

These are just some of the things you will need to think about. There may be more decisions you need to make. Your AVBOB agent will help and guide you. It may be hard to think about all these things, but by doing so, you will make sure that you give your loved one a dignified send-off.

*Terms and conditions apply. FREE funeral benefits only apply if AVBOB is also doing the funeral.