What to do when someone dies in South Africa
When someone dies in South Africa, get a medical pronouncement, call emergency services if the death was unexpected, and contact a funeral provider to care for the person who has died.
Some steps differ by region inside the country.
Immediate, First 24-48 Hours
- Arrange funeral or cremation, check the deceased's wishes and funeral policy
- Notify their employer and request final salary / leave payout details
- Secure the property, change locks if needed, alert security company
- Locate the original will (attorney, bank safe, or estate administrator)
- Obtain the official death certificate after registration. DHA-1663 is the death notification form, not the certificate. Ask banks and insurers how many certified copies they need.
Week 1
- Report the estate to the Master of the High Court within 14 days. Check the correct office using the deceased’s residence history, not the reporter’s address.
- Notify all banks and freeze accounts to protect assets
- List recurring payments and ask the authorised estate representative which to stop or transfer. Preserve necessary insurance, property security and essential services.
- Notify life insurance, funeral cover, and medical aid providers to start claims
- Contact the deceased's financial adviser and attorney
- Confirm that Home Affairs has registered the death and issued the official death certificate; the funeral director can assist with registration and collection.
Month 1
- Obtain the Master’s appointment before administering estate assets. Being nominated in the will is not sufficient; ask whether letters of executorship or letters of authority apply.
- Notify SARS and submit a final tax return for the deceased
- Identify property and vehicles for the authorised estate representative. Transfer only with the required estate authority and documents, not simply because one month has passed.
- Redirect mail and update utility accounts
Ongoing, Estate Administration
- Work with the appointed estate representative to collect assets, address claims and taxes, and keep accounts. Completion depends on the estate and required approvals.
- For estates following the full administration process, the executor prepares the liquidation and distribution account and follows the Master’s approval and inspection process.
- Distribute only once the estate representative has met the applicable claims, tax and administration requirements.
- Confirm the remaining SARS and Master’s requirements with the estate representative before treating the administration as complete.
Finding their documents
This is practical information, not legal, medical, or financial advice.