The funeral itself
A modest cremation in a metro area runs from around R12,000 to R20,000. A traditional burial including coffin, hearse, grave purchase and tombstone typically falls between R30,000 and R80,000.
Catering, venue hire and family travel for a funeral with 100 to 200 attendees adds another R10,000 to R30,000. Longer-distance repatriation of a body adds R8,000 to R20,000.
These are the costs that funeral cover is designed to fund. Most SA families budget for them; the post-funeral costs catch them off-guard.
Executor's fees
The statutory tariff is 3.5% of the gross asset value of the estate, plus 6% on income earned by the estate after death, plus VAT (15%) where the executor is a registered vendor.
On a R5m estate, that is around R175,000 plus VAT (R201,250). On a R10m estate, around R350,000 plus VAT (R402,500).
Heirs can negotiate the fee in writing, particularly where the estate is straightforward - but most families do not know they have that right.
Master's fees, conveyancing and SARS
Master's fees are capped at R7,000 on the gross value of the estate.
If immovable property is transferred to an heir, conveyancing fees apply (typically R20,000 to R60,000 per transfer depending on the property value), plus the deeds-office fee.
SARS clearance involves a final personal-tax return, deemed CGT on the death (with a R300,000 annual exclusion in the year of death), and any outstanding personal tax. Estate duty applies above the R3.5m abatement.
The first 12 months in cash
Add it up for an average middle-class SA family with a paid-down house, an RA, and a couple of policies: roughly R150,000 to R350,000 of cash needs to flow through the estate in the first year.
If liquidity is short, the executor borrows against the estate (slow) or sells assets (slower and at a discount). A modest top-up of life cover, structured to either fall into the estate or be released to the executor by a beneficiary, removes the problem entirely.
Common questions
How much does it cost to die in South Africa in 2026?
Across funeral, executor's fees, conveyancing, Master's fees and SARS clearance, an average SA estate spends R150,000 to R350,000 in the 12 months after death. Larger estates with property transfers and estate duty pay materially more.
Are executor's fees on top of estate duty?
Yes. Executor's fees are an administration cost paid out of the estate. Estate duty is a tax paid to SARS on the dutiable amount above the R3.5m abatement. Both come off the estate before the heirs receive their inheritance.