South Africans Plan for the Funeral, but Not What Comes Next

When a loved one dies, the immediate priorities are usually clear: gather the family, arrange the funeral and manage the immediate costs.

But what happens when the funeral is over?

September puts wills and estate planning in the spotlight, and DignitySA will be facilitating an important dialogue about the financial, legal and administrative realities families face after someone dies.

Who knows where the will is? Who can access important documents and accounts? What happens to outstanding debt? How does the estate process work? And what happens when the family suddenly finds itself without access to the income it depended on?

New findings from the Capital Legacy Estate Readiness Index™ 2026 reveal a striking gap between preparing for a funeral and preparing for everything that follows:

• 74% of deceased people had funeral cover, but only 41% had a valid will.
• 66% of bereaved families experienced a cash shortage within three months of the death.
• 54% relied on an untrained family member to handle administration and paperwork.
• Only 28% experienced estate administration taking less than six months.

Ahead of National Wills Week (14–18 September) DignitySA will host a free expert-led conversation on Thursday, 3 September that will explore the realities families may encounter after the death of a loved one and the practical steps people can take now to reduce the administrative and financial burden on those they leave behind. For more information about our Dignity Dialogue see our Events Page.