Pine Plan: Benefits, Prices and Waiting Periods
The Royal Funerals Pine Plan provides service-based funeral support and a complimentary grocery benefit, with an 11-member option starting from R242 per month and a 13-member option starting from R291.50 per month. It brings together practical items such as mortuary facilities, a hearse, a family car, a tent, seating, funeral programmes and gravesite décor.
Before joining, it helps to understand who will be covered, which services apply to each member, the distance limits and when a claim can qualify. The issued policy schedule and terms and conditions govern the benefits available to your family.
What is the Pine Funeral Plan?
The Pine Plan is one of Royal Funerals’ group family plans. Its coffin option is a Pine coffin, supported by specified funeral services and groceries. A service-based plan helps the family arrange an eligible funeral through Royal, rather than treating every listed service as a separate cash payment.
The plan also has cash-claim provisions when Royal does not conduct the burial. Those provisions are separate from the funeral-service package and depend on the membership option, the deceased member’s age and the policy conditions.
How much does the Royal Funerals Pine Plan cost?
| Option | Members included | Starting monthly premium |
| 11-member Pine Plan | Policyholder plus 10 insured family members | R242.00 |
| 13-member Pine Plan | Policyholder plus 12 insured family members | R291.50 |
These are starting premiums. Older members, extra members and selected optional benefits can affect the amount payable. Request a quotation showing every insured person and any additional monthly charge.
Every core funeral service explained
The Pine Plan’s listed funeral benefits support different parts of the arrangements. The following breakdown explains each item without adding quantities or services beyond those listed.
| Benefit | What it provides |
| Pine coffin | The coffin option associated with the Pine group family plan. Standard-size and extension conditions differ between the 11- and 13-member options. |
| Coffin spray | A floral arrangement for the coffin. |
| Mortuary facilities | Mortuary facilities as part of the funeral arrangements. Confirm the applicable storage and service conditions with Royal. |
| Hearse | A hearse for the funeral arrangements, subject to the selected option’s transport conditions. |
| One family car | A family vehicle as part of the funeral service. |
| One table | One table for use during the funeral arrangements. |
| One tent | One tent. Confirm the size and setup arrangements with the branch. |
| Standard toilet | A standard toilet as part of the funeral-service package. |
| 50 chairs | Seating provision of 50 chairs. |
| 120 funeral programmes | 120 printed funeral programmes. |
| R120 airtime | The listed airtime benefit of R120. |
| Gravesite décor | Décor at the gravesite. |
| Juice and water at the gravesite | Gravesite refreshments. The published Pine page does not specify quantities. |
A name board, gas stove and pot are listed as optional extras rather than standard Pine benefits. Optional equipment that repeats a core item, such as chairs or a table, should be discussed with Royal to establish the additional quantity provided.
What groceries are included in the Pine Plan?
The complimentary grocery benefit includes meat, dry groceries and vegetables to support the family during funeral arrangements. The Pine benefit list specifies the following quantities:
| Item | Listed quantity |
| IQF chicken | 6 × 2kg |
| Packed beef | 5 × 10kg |
| Maize meal | 25kg |
| Rice | 10kg |
| Mabele a Ting / samp | 10kg |
| Sugar | 12.5kg |
| Tea | 500g |
| Powdered milk | 750g |
| Cooking oil | 5 litres |
| Flour | 12.5kg |
| Potatoes | 1 bag |
| Cabbage | 1 bag |
| Onions | 1 bag |
| Carrots | 1 bag |
| Beetroot | 1 bag |
| Tomatoes | 1 box |
Bag and box weights are not specified. This is a grocery benefit; it should not be described as a complete catering service or a guarantee of meals for a particular number of mourners.
Who can be included on the Pine Plan?
The 11-member option covers the policyholder and 10 insured lives. The 13-member option covers the policyholder and 12 insured lives. Each person must be named on the policy and satisfy the relationship, age and consent requirements.
Qualifying relationships can include a spouse or partner, children, parents, parents-in-law and extended family. Royal’s terms define extended family to include aunts, uncles, siblings, certain in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, grandparents and grandchildren. The policyholder must have an insurable interest in each person covered.
Provide identity-document copies and accurate details for all proposed members. Newborn children are not automatically added: the policyholder must apply in writing to add a newborn within 90 days of birth. Replacement members are treated as new joiners, with the applicable waiting-period conditions.
Members’ ages and cover for children
Age affects joining eligibility, premiums and the benefits available after a death. The group-plan terms give a maximum policyholder entry age of 85. Joining or rejoining at age 65 or above can attract an additional premium; Royal’s group-plan information lists a Pine surcharge of R66 for one or two qualifying older members. Obtain confirmation of each older dependant’s eligibility before applying.
Children’s funeral services and cash benefits vary by age. A child should not be assumed to receive the full adult funeral package. Ask Royal to record the applicable child-service category and cash benefit on your policy schedule, especially for infants and when a child moves into a different age band.
Keep the Pine group plan separate from the Standard Mini Dome immediate-family plan: their membership categories and child-age provisions are different.
Distance limits: 11 members versus 13 members
The 11-member terms describe an included combined journey of 100km: 50km from the nearest branch to the place of service and 50km for the return trip. Travel beyond that combined allowance attracts an additional charge. This should not be interpreted as 100km each way. Standard coffin sizes apply, with an additional charge where an oversized coffin requires extension.
The 13-member terms provide transport within South Africa without kilometre charges and without an additional coffin-extension charge. These South African transport provisions should not be presented as automatic cross-border cover.
Pine Plan waiting periods and activation
The policy activates once the first premium is received. Activation and eligibility for every type of claim are different: a natural-death claim remains subject to the applicable waiting period.
| Situation | Applicable rule |
| New member, newly insured person or rejoining after termination | Six-month waiting period, calculated from receipt of the first premium. |
| Accidental death | No waiting period once the first premium has been received, subject to the policy’s accident definition and exclusions. |
| Replacement insured member | New-joiner conditions and applicable waiting periods apply. |
| Suicide or attempted suicide | The terms exclude related payouts within the first 12 months after policy inception. |
| Qualifying reinstatement of a lapsed policy | The terms state no new waiting period for reinstatement, subject to the reinstatement and arrears requirements. |
Keep premiums paid consistently. A missed payment during the initial waiting period can affect its completion, and unpaid premiums can affect policy status. If you are moving from another funeral provider, have Royal confirm the replacement-cover conditions for each person in writing before cancelling the existing policy.
Optional extras paid monthly
| Optional benefit | Published additional monthly premium |
| Name board | R27.50 |
| Standard toilet | R38.50 |
| Gas stove | R38.50 |
| Pot | R38.50 |
| 50 chairs | R33.00 |
| Table | R33.00 |
These are monthly benefit premiums, not once-off equipment prices. Royal’s group-plan information states a six-month waiting period for optional extras. Confirm the effective date, quantity and conditions before adding a benefit.
Cash benefits if Royal does not conduct the burial
Royal’s group-family terms provide age-based cash-claim amounts. The policyholder and spouse categories are shown below, alongside the listed child categories. A cash claim remains subject to the policy being in force, the applicable waiting period and the required claim documents.
| Member category | 11-member option | 13-member option |
| Policyholder | R11,815 | R12,665 |
| Spouse | R11,815 | R12,665 |
| Age 14 to 21 | R7,000 | R12,665 |
| Age 6 to 13 | R2,800 | R12,665 |
| Age 1 to 5 | R1,800 | R7,000 |
| Age 6 weeks to 11 months | R1,200 | R3,500 |
The policy wording’s child and adult bands overlap at age 21. Obtain written confirmation of the applicable category for a member aged exactly 21. For infants younger than six weeks, confirm the service-only provisions directly with Royal.
The group-plan information also describes an alternative of R1,000 plus groceries where Royal does not render the burial service. Ask Royal to confirm the available settlement choice before selecting it. Do not assume the full cash amount, groceries and all funeral services are payable together.
How to claim under the Pine Plan
Contact Royal promptly after a death. The terms require a claim to be submitted within six months of the claim event. Royal provides the forms and assists with the documents needed for assessment.
Completed Royal Financial Services claim form.
Clear certified copies of the death certificate, deceased’s identity document and claimant’s identity document.
Proof of the beneficiary’s banking details for a cash claim.
Notification of death form BI 1663 or the supporting alternative specified by Royal.
Police report for an unnatural death.
Where applicable, proof of relationship, a funeral-parlour letter confirming custody of the remains, stillbirth documentation and any other required supporting information.
Valid claims are paid within 48 hours after all required documentation has been received. The terms use a midday cutoff: documents received after 12:00 fall into the next day’s midday processing cycle. This is not an unconditional promise of payment within 48 hours of the death or first enquiry.
Premium payments and policy maintenance
Royal lists EFT, debit order, Easypay and Pay@ among its payment methods. Use the official policy payment details and correct reference. The terms state that premium receipt is confirmed by SMS within two days; contact Royal if confirmation does not arrive.
Missed payments can cause lapse or termination. Contact Royal immediately after a failed or missed payment to establish the policy’s status, arrears and reinstatement requirements. Update family, banking and contact details whenever they change.
Frequently asked questions about the Royal Funerals Pine Plan
Is there a difference between 11 members and 13 members?
Yes. The options differ in the number of insured people, starting premium, transport conditions, coffin-extension charges and age-based cash benefits.
Does the Pine Plan include groceries?
Yes. The listed complimentary benefit includes chicken, beef, staple groceries and vegetables in the quantities shown above.
Does it include a family car, tent and toilet?
Yes. The core benefit list includes one family car, one tent and a standard toilet, together with one table and 50 chairs.
Is a name board automatically included?
The current Pine benefit list shows gravesite décor; a name board is listed separately as an optional monthly benefit.
Are buses included?
Confirm this in your quotation and policy schedule. Do not assume that the inclusion of a hearse and family car also includes buses for mourners.
Can parents and extended family be covered?
Qualifying family members can be proposed for cover, subject to the selected option, relationship requirements, age eligibility, consent and any additional premium.
Can I add more than 13 members?
Royal’s group-plan information permits additional members up to a total of 19, with a Pine charge of R55 for one or two extra members. Ask for a quotation confirming how additional pairs, ages and eligibility affect the total premium.
Does paying the first premium remove the waiting period?
No. Receipt of the first premium activates the policy and starts the applicable waiting period. Natural-death claims are generally subject to six months.
Is accidental death covered during the first six months?
The terms and FAQs state that accidental-death cover applies after receipt of the first premium without a waiting period, subject to the accident definition, exclusions and claim assessment.
Are newborns automatically covered?
No. Apply in writing to add the newborn within 90 days of birth and confirm the effective date and applicable benefits.
Can another person continue the policy after the policyholder dies?
The surviving spouse or beneficiaries can request to continue the policy. The terms require contact with Royal within 31 days of the policyholder’s death.
Can I upgrade or downgrade the Pine Plan?
Royal’s group-plan information states a three-month waiting period for upgrades, with the previous coffin applying during that period, and immediate application of a downgrade. Confirm the complete benefit and premium changes before proceeding.
Are premiums fixed forever?
No. The terms guarantee premiums and benefits for the first 12 months, after which annual review may apply. Written notice of a change must be given at least 31 days before it takes effect.
Can I cancel the policy?
The terms provide a 31-day cooling-off period with a premium refund. Later cancellation requires one month’s notice and is governed by the policy conditions.
Where can I get help with a claim or the plan?
Call 086 117 6925, WhatsApp 083 476 7479, email info@royalfuneralssa.co.za or contact a Royal Funerals branch. Use complaints@royalfuneralssa.co.za for a complaint.
Choose Pine cover around your family’s needs
Start with the names, ages and relationships of the people you want to cover, then compare the 11- and 13-member options against the likely funeral location. Confirm the service package, any optional benefits, the full monthly premium and the claim conditions before joining.
To request a Pine Plan quotation, call 086 117 6925, WhatsApp 083 476 7479 or visit the Pine Funeral Plan page. Keep your policy schedule and proof of payment where a trusted family member can find them.
Royal Funerals is underwritten by Royal Financial Services (Pty) Ltd, an authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP 51465). Registration number: 2017/445479/07. Micro-insurer I363. Terms and conditions apply.
