A burial society is a voluntary organization that provides financial benefits to its members in the event of their death. These societies are typically organized by occupation, ethnic group, religion or location. In South Africa for example, there are burial societies for the Christian community, the Muslim community and the Jewish community.
What is the purpose of a burial society in South Africa?
A burial society is a group of people that provides for the funeral and burial of its members. It is often seen as an organization that provides insurance for its members, who are usually poor. In South Africa, there are different burial societies, which may be classified according to the type or status of the member. The most common type is the “mutual” or “self-help” society, where membership is open to anyone who can afford the initiation fee and monthly dues. The “fraternal” society has stricter membership requirements; it may be limited to specific ethnic groups or occupations and requires a higher initiation fee and monthly dues.
How to register a burial society in South Africa?
The National Funeral Practitioners Association of South Africa (NFPA) is the only organization that registers burial societies in South Africa. They are a non-profit organization that offers memberships to funeral practitioners and other associated professionals.
A group of funeral practitioners who wanted to create a professional association for the industry found the NFPA in 2004. The NFPA’s goal is to provide an environment where members can share their knowledge and experience, and where they can learn from each other. One of its primary objectives is to protect the public’s interest by ensuring that all funeral practitioners are qualified, competent and registered with the body.
