Arrange a Funeral | Step-by-Step Guide

Phase One

In the First Hours

When a death occurs, the first few hours can feel overwhelming. The priority is certification — not final arrangements. You have time. There is no need to rush.

Call Paramedics. Paramedics will determine whether the death was due to natural or unnatural causes.
Thom Kight & Co will attend to the paperwork from the last treating doctor (DHA-1663).
Determine whether the death is natural (call the GP) or unnatural (call SAPS on 10111).
Wait for the doctor to issue the BI-1663 Notification of Death — nothing else can proceed without it.
Call Thom Kight & Co on 011 837 5531. We take over the logistics from this point.
You do not need to move your loved one immediately. Sit with them. Take your time.

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Phase Two

Planning the Service

There is no rush to plan the service. When your family is ready, let us know and we'll begin.

Choose the format: a full funeral service (coffin present), a memorial service, or a graveside service.
Select a venue — a church, our chapel in Vrededorp, or your family home.
Decide on music, the eulogy, pallbearers, and the order of service.
We handle programme printing, hearse procession logistics, and officiant coordination.

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Phase Three

Paperwork and Administration

The administrative side of a death is manageable when approached in phases. We handle the Home Affairs paperwork — your focus is the estate, policies, and financial accounts.

We attend to the paperwork from the attending doctor.
Initiate funeral policy and burial society claims as soon as the certificate is issued.
Notify banks, employers, and medical aids to stop debit orders and trigger benefits.
Report the estate to the Master of the High Court within 14 days of the death.

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Phase Four

Burial or Cremation

The choice between burial and cremation is deeply personal. Both are handled with equal care and dignity. Understanding each process helps families decide with confidence.

Burial requires a Burial Order from Home Affairs and coordination with the chosen cemetery.
Cremation requires two doctors to certify the death before authorisation is granted.
Johannesburg offers municipal and private cemetery options at very different price points.
Ashes can be kept at home, scattered with permission, interred, or made into keepsake jewellery.

Burial Guide →Cremation Guide →

What to Expect, Step by Step

In the First Hours

Planning the Service

Paperwork and Administration

Burial or Cremation

Ready to Talk When You Are