FNB Funeral Cover

The plan pays a cash benefit when an insured person dies. You can cover yourself, a spouse, children, parents, parents-in-law and extended family. You can also cover family members without covering yourself.

The insurer is FirstRand Life Assurance Ltd. FNB Life administers the plan, so your premium and your claim both go through FNB. Cover for an adult goes up to R100 000. Children under 18 are capped at lower amounts that depend on their age, so check the limit for each person when you get a quote.

• FNB says valid claims are paid within 24 hours once it has everything it needs, with 1 in 5 claims paid in 30 minutes. (fnb.co.za (archived copy))
• Claims can be started on the FNB App, online at fnb.co.za ('Submit a claim'), at any FNB branch, by phone on 087 736 7772 or by email to [email protected]. (fnb.co.za (archived copy))
• Premiums increase 8% a year and cover 5% a year on each plan anniversary (cover stops increasing at age 65; the plan holder can opt out of the cover escalation). (fnb.co.za (archived copy))
• Waiting period is 6 months for natural death and 12 months for suicide, and waived if you have already served it with another licensed SA insurer. (fnb.co.za (archived copy))
• Burial repatriation covers transport of remains within South Africa only, with one night's accommodation for one accompanying family member; eligible for insured persons with R20 000 or more cover and anyone under 18. (fnb.co.za (archived copy))

Checked on 30 September 2026 against FNB's official website (some details from an archived copy of it, because the live site could not be read from our checks). Numbers change, so confirm on the linked page before you call. FNB will never ask you to pay a claim fee or send money to a new bank account; if a caller does, hang up and phone the official number.

Sources: fnb.co.za (archived copy), fnb.co.za/...lPlanInteractiveBrochure.pdf.

FNB gives these entry ages: the plan holder and spouse from 18 to 74, parents and parents-in-law from 35 to 74, and children and extended family from birth to 74.

FNB says premiums start from R50 a month. FNB's own examples on its plan page vary with age and with who is covered, so ask for a quote for the exact people you want to cover.

FNB also has a Premium Back reward. After every 36 months you can get back up to 6 months of your average premiums, even if you have claimed. The amount is lower if your last premiums were paid from another bank.

There is no waiting period for accidental death. For natural death you wait 6 months from the start date, and for suicide 12 months. FNB waives a waiting period you have already served with another licensed South African insurer, but you must give it your old policy schedule and proof that the old policy was cancelled.

South African rules set a limit on funeral waiting periods, and a new insurer may not make you wait again if you moved from a previous policy after completing its waiting period. Our page on funeral cover with no waiting period explains your options.

FNB lists these for a claim:

• a completed claim form, or a digital submission
• a certified copy of the completed BI1663 notice of death form
• the ID or passport of the person claiming
• the ID number of the deceased, or a certified passport copy
• a police statement, only if the death was from unnatural causes

Once FNB has everything, it says a valid claim is paid within 24 hours. Under the rules, the insurer must tell you within 2 business days of receiving all the documents whether the claim is accepted, rejected or disputed. Send the full set of documents the first time, because FNB's clock starts only once it has everything.

Ask FNB for the reason in writing and check it against your policy schedule. Common reasons are a claim made inside the waiting period, unpaid premiums or missing documents. A lapsed policy has a grace period, and an insurer may not refuse a claim only because you did not disclose something it never asked about.

If you are not satisfied, complain to the National Financial Ombud on 0860 800 900 or at nfosa.co.za. The service is free. It is sensible to try FNB first, though this is not a legal requirement. Do not wait too long: complaints can be dismissed after three years. Our guide to funeral cover scams and your rights has more.

FNB suits people who already bank with FNB and want to apply on the app, at a branch or by phone. Two features worth noting are cover for family without covering yourself and the Premium Back reward.

Remember that premiums rise every year, and you can opt out of the yearly cover increase. Compare it with Standard Bank, Absa and Nedbank before you decide.