What Is The Maximum Funeral Payment?

What Is The Maximum Funeral Payment?

Funerals can be expensive, but the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) is here to support you during difficult times. If you are a GEPF member, pensioner, or beneficiary, you qualify for a funeral benefit designed to assist with funeral costs. This benefit provides financial assistance to help cover the expenses when a loved one passes away.

The funeral benefit is available for the funerals of members, pensioners, their spouses, life partners, or eligible children. The GEPF offers R15,000 towards the funeral of a member, pensioner, or spouse, and R6,000 for the funeral of an eligible child, even if the child is receiving a child pension.

The Maximum Funeral Payment

The GEPF offers a taxable lump sum of R20,000 to assist with funeral expenses for a member, pensioner, or spouse, providing financial support during a difficult time. This benefit is designed to help ease the burden of funeral costs for GEPF members and their families.

Who Qualifies For GEPF Funeral Benefit?

The GEPF provides funeral benefits for members, pensioners, and their spouses or eligible children;

• Member:

A person contributing to the GEPF, on leave (with or without approval), suspended but previously contributing, or a dormant member. Those contributing to associated funds like TEPF or AIPF do not qualify.

• Pensioner:

A person receiving a monthly annuity from GEPF. Members who leave government service without a monthly annuity do not qualify for funeral benefits.

• Spouse:

Includes legally married spouses, spouses according to indigenous law (with a certificate or affidavits confirming marriage), religious marriages (Muslim or Hindu), and approved life partners. Life partners must be pre-approved or apply with the funeral claim.

• Eligible Child:

A natural or adopted child under 18, a full-time student aged 18 to 22, a disabled dependent child (with medical proof), or a stillborn child (after 26 weeks of pregnancy with a doctor’s confirmation).

• Stepchildren or other family children do not qualify unless legally adopted.

Required Documents To Claim Funeral Benefits

To process and pay the GEPF funeral benefit, the following documents are required:

• Z300 form (Funeral Benefit Claim Form).
• Death certificate from the Department of Home Affairs (or a doctor’s certificate for a stillborn child).
• ID or passport of the deceased and the claimant (original certified copies).
• Z894 form with bank details for payment, or if by Post Office, provide the online Post Office information on the Z300 form.

Additional documents (if applicable):

Spouse’s claim: Marriage certificate or proof of customary or religious marriage.

• Adopted child’s claim: Adoption order.
• Estate claim: Letter of executorship and banking details.
• Student child (18-22 years): Proof of full-time registration.
• Disabled dependent child: Medical proof of disability.
• Different surname: Affidavit explaining the relationship.
• Life partner: Approved Life Partner Application or completed form if not yet approved.

NOTE: Ensure all original documents are submitted with the claim.

 How To Claim GEPF Funeral Benefit

The person submitting the claim to GEPF must complete the following forms and provide copies of the required documents:

• Funeral Benefit Claim form (Z300).
• Banking Details form (Z894) if payment is to be made into a bank account. For Post Office payments, faxed or emailed copies of all original documents must be presented at the Post Office.
• A certified copy of the applicant’s ID or valid passport, and the deceased’s ID or passport.
• A certified copy of the death certificate.
• Proof of marriage if applicable.

Contact GEPF

• Toll-free number: 0800 117 669
• Fax: 012 326 2507
• Email: enquiries@gepf.co.za

Postal Address: GEPF

• Private Bag X63,
• Pretoria,
• 0001

For more information visit the official website of the Government Employees Pension Fund. I hope the provided information is helpful, share your thoughts below in the comment section.