IMAGINE if people lived forever. We would not ever need to worry about death or funerals again – although we’d need to think about running out of space.
But people do die and for this reason, it is important to prepare for the cost now so it doesn’t make a sad time worse.
This is why the members of Phuthanang Burial Society come together.
At its headquarters at Mabopane, the members said the society was created in 1987 by 35 relatives.
Co-founder Sepswe Masako said: “The 45 members are connected as an extended family.
“It was amazing to think that back in the 1980s, we would contribute just R50 each for funerals and a feast of food for the day.
“Today, each member contributes R100 every month for funerals with another R10 for a meal.
“We change the meeting venues so we get to try all the members cooking.”
Phuthanang has its own uniform but only wear it when a member or sub-member dies.
If there is a funeral, the society pays R6 000 to the dead member’s surviving family to help cover the burial costs.
If a sub-member dies, Phutanang pays out R3 000 to cover the expenses.
The rest of the society mobilises in these times to help the family with cooking and cleaning while preparations are made.
For other special events such as weddings or tombstone unveilings, members may draw cash out of their savings as a gift.
Phuthanang also has tables and plates so they never need to hire equipment for events.
