Guest: Unathu Saul, Chief Operating Officer at Abaveleli Funeral Directors

A global research study identified South Africa as the fourth most expensive

Country in terms of funeral costs, which were 3% above the global average.

Funerals can range from a basic casket and service for R10,000 to an extravagant

R1m personalised themed service. The industry consists of a few large companies, with the bulk made up of small informal businesses serving local communities, many of which do not have certificates of competence. The industry is affected by the shortage of cemetery space and reported poor cemetery management and unreliable and non- compliant service provided by some crematoriums and mortuaries.