Funeral cover in Namibia — policies and grants

Short answerChecked 31 October 2026

A funeral policy in Namibia is long-term insurance: a contract to provide, on a person's death, benefits consisting mainly of a funeral (Financial Institutions and Markets Act, section 4). It must come from a long-term insurer registered with NAMFISA. NAMFISA says most insurers pay funeral claims within 24–48 hours of the claim, and that a funeral policy can end at a set age, such as 65 or 75. Public grants exist too: N$7,000 from the MVA Fund after a road death and N$4,500 from the SSC for Basic State Grant recipients.

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Answers come from the law, the regulator and the insurers' own documents, with the source under each answer. General information, not advice.

What should I check before I buy cover?What is an excess?How do I prepare a claim?

Funeral policy vs life policy

A funeral policy pays a smaller amount meant for the funeral; NAMFISA notes that most insurers pay these claims within 24–48 hours of a claim being lodged (NAMFISA).
A funeral policy may expire when you or the life insured reach a certain age, "e.g. at 65 or 75 years" (same page): check the age limit before you buy.
The policy must be issued by a registered long-term insurer: the register of October 2026 includes Namibia Burial Assurance Limited, and friendly societies such as OAC Burial Society are registered separately (NAMFISA register).

"Delays in funeral benefit payments" are among the complaint types NAMFISA reports (Annual Report 2025). If it happens to you: complaints.

Public funeral grants

Grant	Amount	Who
MVA Fund funeral benefit	N$7,000	Any person killed in a motor vehicle accident in Namibia (MVA Act, s.24(4)(e))
SSC Funeral Benefit Scheme	N$4,500, paid to the funeral undertaker	Senior citizens and people with disabilities who receive the Basic State Grant
SSC MSD death benefit	N$15,000, paid once	A fully paid-up SSC member

Sources: MVA Fund benefits, SSC Funeral Benefit Scheme, SSC MSD Fund.

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Frequently asked questions

How fast are funeral claims paid in Namibia?

NAMFISA says most insurers pay funeral policy claims within 24–48 hours of the claim being lodged. The MVA Fund says complete funeral claims are settled in less than 30 minutes.

Is a funeral policy insurance?

Yes. Under the Financial Institutions and Markets Act a funeral policy is a long-term policy, so it must come from a long-term insurer registered with NAMFISA.

Can my funeral policy end?

Yes. NAMFISA warns that a funeral policy may expire at a set age, for example 65 or 75. It also lapses if premiums fall into arrears.