How to Claim

If you've clicked on this page, it means that you have probably lost a loved one.
Our deepest condolences go to you and your family.
We promise to make the claims process as smooth and convenient as we possibly can.
We know how difficult this time is.

All benefits are payable to the policyholder:

  • If the policyholder is the deceased then the benefit is payable to the beneficiary of the death benefit.
  • If there is no beneficiary appointed then the benefit is payable to the executor of the estate.
  • If the person receiving the money is a minor then the legal guardian must claim.
  • If you are not sure who must claim, please contact us at 0861 235 433

In order to initiate a claim we will require certain documents depending on the cause of death of the deceased.

Suicide is treated as death by non-accidental causes and a waiting period will apply. This waiting period applicable to your policy is in your terms and conditions.

  1. No affidavits will be accepted to prove relationships or marriage.
  2. Commissioner of oath signatures by a funeral house, post office or home affairs will not be accepted
  3. Claim payment will be made in South African currency only.

  • To apply for a funeral claim, the Funeral Claim form must be completed and submitted to us.

In addition to the completed form, we also need the following supporting documents to process your request:

  • Proof of identity for the claimant
    • Copy of South African identity document; or
    • Copy of passport; or
    • Copy of birth certificate)
  • Proof of identity of the deceased
    • Copy of South African identity document; or
    • Copy of passport; or
    • Copy of birth certificate
  • Proof of bank account details into which the claim will be paid
    • Bank statement stamped by bank; or
    • Cancelled cheque; or
    • Salary advice with full account number
      The above should not be older than 3 months.
  • Certified copy of death certificate of the deceased.
  • Fully completed police report, if the cause of death is unnatural, accidental or suicide
  • Copy of BI-1663 or DHA-1663 or BI-1680
  • Submit the documents
    • Once completed, you can send the form and all supporting documents to us by:
    • Email: deathclaims@sanlamsky.co.za; or
    • Fax: +27 (0) 11 388 3011
    • Please remember to submit all supporting documentation with your form, as we will not be able to process your request without these.

  • This completed funeral claim form
  • A clear, certified copy of the official death certificate issued by the Department of Home Affairs.
  • A clear, certified copy of the deceased’s identity document. Should the identity numbers on the death certificate differ to that of the ID document, a letter from Home Affairs with an explanation is required.
  • A clear, certified copy of the claimant’s identity document.
  • Proof of bank account into which the claim will be paid (Bank statement stamped by the bank). The statement cannot be older than 3 months at the date the claim is submitted. If a bank statement cannot be provided then a cancelled cheque will be accepted. In the case of third party payments, (where the beneficiary does not have a bank account), we require the clear certified copy of the Identity Document of the account holder as well as bank statement and a completed Sanlam discharge form;
  • Fully completed BI /DHA1663 or BI/DHA-1680 (Pages 1, 2, 3 and 4)
  • Fully completed police report.
  • Post mortem report
  • Road accident report (if cause of death was as a result of a Motor Vehicle accident)
  • Inquest verdict (may also be requested depending on the circumstances surrounding the death)

  • Fully completed funeral claim form.
  • A certified copy of the identity document of the still-born child’s mother.
  • Notice of stillbirth.
  • A letter from the doctor who was present at the baby’s birth, confirming the mother of the child and at how many weeks the child was born.
  • Proof of bank account into which the claim will be paid.

  • We will send you a notification once we receive your form.
  • We will process your instruction once we receive all the required documents.
  • You will receive confirmation once your instruction has been processed.


To start the claim process choose one of the following options: