Body Taken to Insurance Company to Prove Claim

Two women have taken the body of a family member into a branch of the insurance company Old Mutual after the company reportedly refused to pay funeral costs without proof of death.

A video has been widely circulated online showing the women struggling to carry a blue body bag, apparently containing the body of the deceased, before loading it into the back of a car.

In response to the video, Old Mutual said on Twitter the incident at one of its branches in KwaZulu Natal province was “unsettling”, and “whilst isolated [was] regrettable”.

The tweet read “this has been most unsettling and we are sympathetic towards the family during this difficult time.  We can confirm the claim was paid.  Due to the sensitivity of this matter, we will continue engaging directly with the family”.

The National Funeral Practitioners Association of South Africa said it was supporting the family.

Muzi Hlengwa, a member of the association, said “All the rituals that were conducted to move the body from one place to another were not done.  The soul of that man is still left at Old Mutual, so they will have to cover the costs of performing these rituals”.

The association has threatened to take legal action against Old Mutual if they refuse to pay the family the added costs.