Does the Road Accident Fund cover funeral expenses?

Yes. RAF funeral claims can be made for a driver, a passenger or a pedestrian killed in a road accident, provided the person isn’t considered solely responsible for the accident.

You can claim the following funeral-related expenses from the RAF:
• transportation of the body;
• coffin or burial shroud;
• storage, preparation and embalming of the body;
• issuing of the death certificate;
• burial or cremation costs.

However, you can’t claim the following funeral-related expenses such:
• the costs of flower arrangements;
• printed funeral programs;
• transport for family and attendees;
• a headstone;
• catering and venue hire.

For a successful RAF funeral claim you will need to submit the following documentation:
• a copy of the deceased’s ID document, birth certificate or passport;
• a copy of the claimant’s ID document;
• affidavit attesting to the claimant’s relationship to the deceased and how the deceased died;
• medical records if the deceased died in a hospital;
• the death certificate;
• post mortem report;
• a copy of the accident report reflecting the victim’s name;
• vouchers/proof of expenses in respect of the funeral expenses paid by the claimant.

The above is intended for information purposes only and is not intended, and should not be regarded, as legal advice. Should you require legal advice, kindly contact our offices and schedule a consultation with one of our attorneys.

Meise Nkaiseng Attorneys assists and represents a broad spectrum of claimants with their claims against the Road Accident Fund throughout South Africa, and were awarded the PMR Africa Diamond Arrow Award for “best law firm” (Business Sector) in the Sedibeng Region for three years in a row (2018, 2019 and 2020).