Quick Facts About Sanlam Funeral Cover

• Premiums start from R80 per month
• Cover up to 22 family members on one policy
• Maximum cover of R100,000 per person
• Most claims paid in 4 hours
• No medical tests required
• Triple payout for accidental death

What is Sanlam Funeral Cover?

Sanlam funeral cover is an insurance policy that pays money when someone dies. This money helps your family pay for funeral costs. Funerals in South Africa cost between R6,000 and R50,000. Many families cannot afford these costs without help.

Sanlam is one of South Africa’s biggest and most trusted insurance companies. They started in 1918. This means they have over 100 years of experience. Sanlam is licensed by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA). Their FSP number is 2759.

When you take out Sanlam funeral cover, you pay a monthly premium. When someone covered by the policy dies, Sanlam pays your family a lump sum. Your family can use this money to pay for the funeral.

How Sanlam Funeral Cover Works

Step 1: Choose Your Cover Amount
You decide how much money you want the policy to pay out. You can choose from R10,000 to R100,000 per person.

Step 2: Choose Who to Cover
You can cover yourself and up to 22 family members. This includes your spouse, children, parents, and extended family.

Step 3: Pay Your Monthly Premium
Premiums start from R80 per month. The amount depends on how many people you cover and how much cover each person has. Sanlam takes the money from your bank account each month using a debit order.

Step 4: Keep Paying on Time
You must pay your premium every month. If you miss payments, your policy may be cancelled. Then you will lose your cover.

Step 5: Claim When Someone Dies
When a covered person dies, you submit a claim to Sanlam. Most claims are paid within 4 hours. The money goes into the bank account you choose.

✅ Benefits You Get with Sanlam Funeral Cover

1. Fast Claims Payment

Sanlam pays most funeral claims within 4 hours. This is very fast. Many other companies take days or weeks. This means your family gets the money quickly to start planning the funeral.

2. Triple Payout for Accidental Death

If someone dies in an accident, Sanlam pays three times the cover amount. For example, if you have R30,000 cover, your family gets R90,000. This helps with unexpected costs like hospital bills or travel.

3. Memorial Benefit

Sanlam pays from R10,000 extra to help honour your loved one’s memory. Your family can use this money to buy a tombstone or headstone. Many families struggle to afford these memorial items.

4. Grocery Benefit

If you or your spouse dies, Sanlam pays R1,000 per month for six months. This helps your family buy groceries during a difficult time. Losing someone often means less income for the family.

5. Cash Back Every Three Years

If you keep paying your premiums and don’t claim, Sanlam gives you cash back every three years. This rewards you for staying with them.

6. No Medical Tests Required

You do not need to do medical tests or see a doctor. Sanlam does not ask about your health. This makes it easy to apply. Everyone can get cover.

7. Can Increase Cover Amount

You can increase your cover amount each year. This helps you keep up with rising funeral costs. Funeral costs go up every year because of inflation.

💰 Costs and Premiums (November 2025)

Your monthly premium depends on several things. These include how many people you cover, their ages, and how much cover they each have.

Basic Premium Examples

Who is Covered	Cover Amount	Estimated Monthly Cost
Yourself only (age 30)	R20,000	From R80
Yourself + spouse	R30,000 each	From R150
Family of 4 (parents + 2 children)	R30,000 adults, R10,000 children	From R200
Extended family (8 people)	Various amounts	From R350

What Your Premium Covers

• The funeral benefit payout
• Triple payout for accidental death
• Memorial benefit
• Grocery benefit (if applicable)
• Administration and claims processing
• Sanlam’s service and support

Who Can Be Covered?

Main Member (That’s You)

You must be between 18 and 60 years old to start a policy. You must have a South African ID number. You must have a bank account for the debit order.

Your Spouse

You can cover your husband or wife. You can also cover your partner if you live together. Maximum cover for spouse is R100,000.

Your Children

You can cover all your children from birth to age 21. If they are still studying full-time, you can cover them up to age 25. This includes your biological children, adopted children, and stepchildren.

Your Parents and In-Laws

You can cover your mother, father, mother-in-law, and father-in-law. Many South Africans want to cover their parents. This is very common. Parents can be covered up to age 85.

Extended Family

You can cover up to 22 people in total. This can include grandparents, grandchildren, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Each person must be individually named on the policy.

✅ How to Apply for Sanlam Funeral Cover

Step 1: Contact Sanlam

You can apply in three ways:

• Phone: Call 0861 235 434 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm)
• Online: Visit www.sanlam.co.za and fill in the online form
• In Person: Visit a Sanlam branch near you
• Through an Adviser: A Sanlam adviser can visit you at home or work

Step 2: Get a Quote

Tell Sanlam who you want to cover and how much cover you need. They will calculate your monthly premium. Make sure you can afford this amount every month.

Step 3: Provide Your Information

You will need to provide:

• Your South African ID number
• ID numbers of everyone you want to cover
• Your bank account details for debit order
• Contact details (phone number, email, address)
• Details of your beneficiary (who gets the money)

Step 4: Set Up Debit Order

You will sign a debit order form. This allows Sanlam to take the premium from your bank account each month. Choose a date that works for you. Many people choose just after payday.

Step 5: Wait for Confirmation

Sanlam will email or SMS your policy documents. Read these documents carefully. They explain exactly what is covered. Keep these documents safe. You will need them when you claim.

Step 6: Your Cover Starts

Your cover starts from the date your first premium is paid. However, waiting periods apply for some deaths. See the warning section below.

How to Claim When Someone Dies

Step 1: Notify Sanlam

Call Sanlam as soon as possible on 0861 235 434. Tell them someone on the policy has died. They will guide you through the process. You can also start a claim online at www.sanlam.co.za

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

For Natural Death:

• Official death certificate from Department of Home Affairs
• Copy of deceased person’s ID
• Copy of BI/DHA 1663 (Notification of Death form)
• Proof of bank account (bank statement or cancelled cheque)
• Claimant’s ID

For Accidental or Unnatural Death:

• All documents listed above, plus:
• Police report (SAPS statement)
• Post-mortem report (if available)
• Letter from funeral parlour confirming they have the body

Step 3: Submit Your Claim

You can submit documents in three ways:

• Online at www.sanlam.co.za
• Email to the address Sanlam gives you
• Take to a Sanlam branch

Step 4: Wait for Assessment

Sanlam will check your claim. Most claims are approved within 4 hours. If they need more information, they will contact you. Make sure your phone is on and check your emails.

Step 5: Receive Your Money

Once approved, Sanlam pays the money into your bank account. The money usually arrives within 24 to 48 hours. You will get an SMS confirming the payment.

🚨 How to Avoid Funeral Cover Scams

Funeral cover scams are very common in South Africa. Criminals take advantage of people who want to protect their families. Here is how to protect yourself.

Red Flags to Watch For

Scam Red Flag	Why It’s Dangerous
Stranger at taxi rank or mall offers cheap funeral cover	Legitimate companies don’t sell policies this way. They steal your information.
R30 per month for R50,000 cover	Price is too low to be real. Your money goes to criminals.
Agent collects cash premiums monthly	Legitimate insurers use debit orders. Cash collection is a scam.
Company not on FSCA website	They are operating illegally. Your policy is worthless.
No physical address or only on Facebook/WhatsApp	Easy for them to disappear with your money.
SMS asking you to verify policy you didn’t apply for	Scammers took policy in your name. They will claim when you “die”.

How to Verify Sanlam is Legitimate

• Check FSCA website: www.fsca.co.za (search for FSP 2759)
• Visit official website: www.sanlam.co.za
• Call official number: 0861 235 434
• Visit physical Sanlam branch
• Ask for written policy documents with Sanlam letterhead

Protect Yourself

• Never give your ID number to strangers
• Never give your banking details except to licensed insurers
• Never sign documents you don’t understand
• Check your bank statement every month for unknown debit orders
• Never respond to DebiCheck SMS for policies you didn’t apply for
• Be suspicious of “too good to be true” offers

If You’ve Been Scammed

1. Call your bank immediately to stop debit order
2. Report to SAPS (police)
3. Report to FSCA: 0800 110 443 or www.fsca.co.za
4. Report to South African Fraud Prevention Services
5. Check your credit report for fraudulent accounts

How Sanlam Compares to Other Funeral Cover Providers

Feature	Sanlam	Typical Other Provider
Claims Payment Time	4 hours (most claims)	48 hours to 7 days
Minimum Premium	R80 per month	R25 to R100
Maximum Cover per Person	R100,000	R50,000 to R100,000
Family Members Covered	Up to 22 people	Up to 15-20 people
Accidental Death Benefit	Triple payout	Double payout
Cash Back Benefit	Every 3 years	Every 5 years or none
Years in Business	107 years (since 1918)	Varies

Sanlam may not always have the cheapest premiums. However, they offer excellent benefits and very fast claims. The company’s long history and FSCA license give you peace of mind. Your family will actually get paid when they need to claim.

⚠️ Things to Consider Before You Buy

1. Can You Afford the Premium?

Only take cover you can afford every month. If you miss payments, you may lose your cover. Your family will not be protected. It’s better to have smaller cover you can afford than big cover you cannot keep.

2. The Waiting Period

Remember there is a 6-month waiting period for natural death. If someone dies from illness in the first 6 months, you only get your premiums back. Plan for this. Don’t cancel your old policy until the waiting period is over.

3. Premiums Increase with Age

Your premium will go up as you and your family get older. When children turn 18, their premium increases significantly. Budget for these increases. Sanlam will notify you 30 days before increases happen.

4. Update Your Policy When Life Changes

Tell Sanlam when things change. If you get married, have a baby, or move house, update your details. If your contact details are wrong, Sanlam cannot reach you about your policy.

5. Keep Your Documents Safe

Keep your policy documents in a safe place. Tell your family where these documents are. In an emergency, they need to find these papers quickly. Take photos of your policy documents and save them on your phone.

6. Check Your Bank Statement Every Month

Make sure the debit order is going through. If payments bounce, your policy may be cancelled. If you see deductions you don’t recognize, contact Sanlam immediately.

✅ Your Rights as a Policyholder

1. Right to Clear Information

Sanlam must explain the policy in simple terms. If you don’t understand something, ask them to explain again. You have the right to understand what you are buying.

2. Right to a Cooling-Off Period

You have 30 days to change your mind. If you cancel within 30 days, Sanlam will refund your premiums. There is no penalty for cancelling during this time.

3. Right to Fair Treatment

Sanlam must treat you fairly. They cannot discriminate against you. They must process valid claims quickly. If they reject your claim, they must explain why.

4. Right to Complain

If you are unhappy with Sanlam’s service, you can complain. First complain to Sanlam directly. If they don’t fix the problem, contact the Ombudsman for Long-Term Insurance.

5. Right to Privacy

Your personal information is protected by POPI Act. Sanlam must keep your details safe. They cannot share your information without your permission.

📞 Important Contact Information

Sanlam Contact Details

• Phone: 0861 235 434 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm)
• Email: info@sanlamsky.co.za
• Website: www.sanlam.co.za
• FSP Number: 2759
• Physical Address: Visit www.sanlam.co.za to find your nearest branch

Regulatory Bodies

• Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA): 0800 110 443 or www.fsca.co.za
• Ombudsman for Long-Term Insurance: 021 657 5000 or www.ombud.co.za
• FAIS Ombud: 012 762 5000 or www.faisombud.co.za

Fraud Reporting

• South African Police Service (SAPS): 10111 (emergency) or visit your nearest police station
• South African Fraud Prevention Service: 011 867 2234 or www.safps.org.za
• FSCA Scam Hotline: 0800 110 443

Sanlam funeral cover is a good choice for South African families. The company has been around for over 100 years. They are properly licensed by FSCA. Their 4-hour claims payment is one of the fastest in South Africa.

The triple payout for accidental death is better than most competitors. The grocery benefit and memorial benefit add real value. These extras help your family during a difficult time.

However, Sanlam may not be the cheapest option. If price is your main concern, compare quotes from several licensed insurers. But remember: the cheapest is not always the best. You want a company that will actually pay your claim.

Before you apply: Make sure you can afford the monthly premium. Understand the 6-month waiting period. Read the policy documents carefully. Ask questions if you don’t understand something.

Most importantly: Always verify that any funeral cover provider is licensed by FSCA. Check the FSCA website before you give anyone your ID number or banking details. This simple check can save you from losing thousands of rands to scammers.