Terminology & Documents
What Is Natural Death?
A Natural death is when someone passes away at home or hospital by sickness or disease.
What Is Unnatural Death?
A Unnatural death is when someone passed away in any accident-related death or suicide.
What Is A Burial?
A Burial is when the family decides that the person who passed away must be buried in a cemetery.
What Is A Cremation?
Cremation is when the family decides to let their loved one be cremated.
What Is A Memorial?
a Memorial or memorial service means that the coffin will not be present at the church during the service. This can be done only when the deceased are going to be cremated. (If the family decides to have a memorial service at home without the coffin present, and still want the deceased to be buried, it can be done but then the funeral undertaker will wait for the family members at the cemetery to perform a burial service.)
Documentation Required By The Undertaker With Removal Of Deceased
- ID document of deceased or if the ID document is lost, the family needs to write affidavit to say that the ID document is lost.
(Note: A Birth Certificate will also do in a case where the ID document is lost.) - ID document of person handling the arrangements
- Details of General Medical Practitioner, clinic or hospital who last treated the deceased
- Documentation from the paramedic that was on scene
- A SAPS 180 form from the S.A. Police Services (SAPS) who also needs to be on the scene