FIRA- Funeral Industry Reformed Association

06/03/2026

FIRA alert:

It has come to our attention several entities has from the public and private sectors who is operating within the funeral industry, rendering operational services.

1. Embalming
2. Exhumations
3. Facilitators obo Home Affairs
4. Rendering funeral services of VIP's
5. Repatriations

Many of the tenderpreneurs is and unlicenced have the knowledge or infrastructure as required by the various laws to render, funeral related services.

FIRA is concerned that tenderpreneurs who has relationships with the public and private sector the actual services after receiving large amounts from the public or private sector fails or delay to pay minimal amounts to funeral parlours who actually conducts the services, it's unfair and unacceptable.

FIRA requests a investigation to follow the - who make and receives the payments AND let's request the amounts to be made public.

FIRA wishes to invite all funeral associations to protect and advance their members because if the above-mentioned is allowed to continue, we complain about parlours infrastructure being outsourced ( FIRA laws to be ammended to protect and advance the industry, public and priorities of Government )

03/03/2026

FIRA wishes to advice the public to utilise compliant financial service providers to prevent or of funeral claims.

It's important to with the cost funerals / cremations and all the 3rd party ( outsourced costs ) : Eg church, flowers, grave, catering church, crematorium, Drs, municipality by any financial institution or funeral parlour.

Please don't be surprised when the unforseen strikes and you do not have adequate funeral cover. : Make an informed decision...

Contact info@fira.org.za should you need any assistance, FIRA has to a network of compliant financial service providers / funeral parlours to assist and guide potential clients, ( Churches, groups, individuals and or unions) offering funeral insurance and actual services

03/03/2026

Election Time: Why is cleaning only published every (5) years, what about showing the state of all cemeteries in Tshwane, its a mess and shocking shame...

03/03/2026

03/03/2026

Communities taking control over cemeteries

Residents of Soshanguve, Tshwane, cleaned the overgrown Block P cemetery on Friday.

02/03/2026

What is the municipal workers doing and why has a contractor need to be appointed to cut grass...Just asking...

02/03/2026

https://www.sowetan.co.za/news/2026-03-02-mom-sues-hospital-for-negligence-after-stillborn-baby-burial-mix-up/

Court rules that the mother who buried a wrong child did not show enough emotional and mental suffering to sue the hospital for the body mix-up

27/02/2026

FIRA and others raised their concerns to Home Affairs and minister Leon Schreiber responded in person, much more challenges within Home Affairs related to training constraints needs to be addressed.

1. Communication between local and national with delays of training / issuing authorisation.
2. Oversight of associations / parlours whom claims to be compliant.
3. Extention / grant period given has expired
4. Fraudulent activities need to be stopped
5. Home Affairs should engage the funeral industry not only selective industry participants ( It raises serious concerns

The Western Cape High Court has directed parties locked in a dispute over a proposed Muslim mortuary at Mowbray Cemetery to enter into formal mediation, stressing the need to preserve community cohesion during the month of Ramadan.

Judge Gayaat Da Silva-Salie said the matter, although presented as a legal challenge involving the interpretation of a restrictive clause and the validity of a constitutional amendment, carries broader implications for the Muslim community.

Read more: https://vocfm.co.za/high-court-sends-mowbray-muslim-cemetery-mortuary-dispute-to-mediation/

Photo: VOCfm

By Oyisa George The Western Cape High Court has directed parties locked in a dispute over a proposed Muslim mortuary at Mowbray Cemetery to enter into formal mediation, stressing the need to preserve community cohesion during the month of Ramadan. Judge Gayaat Da Silva-Salie said the matter, althoug...

27/02/2026

https://www.citizen.co.za/northcliff-melville-times/news-headlines/2026/02/25/historic-braamfontein-cemetery-crematorium-reveals-secrets-behind-early-modern-funerary-practices/

Visitors gained rare insight into Braamfontein Cemetery’s historic crematorium, exploring its architecture, first cremations, and enduring legacy.

27/02/2026

FIRA wish to thank the community of Howick, its happening daily throughout South Africa hence the reason FIRA proposed adjustment / development of new initiative to assist poor and venerable opposed to the known pauper burial procedures ( not dignified at all ).

Many parlours throughout South Africa have been assisting destitute families out of their own pocket ( costs ) and we thank them for assisting families that can't afford funerals.

Knowing the immense strain that loss has placed on a father and his young son, the community has come together to do something meaningful.

26/02/2026

A dedicated funeral ombudsman could resolve matters, consumer goods ombudsman doesn't have the mandate and the FSCA takes forever in the meantime parlours seeks funds/ payment and families require funeral finalised.

Reasons for claims payout delays:

1. Incomplete claim documents
2. Home Affairs verification
3. Late or delayed monthly premiums
4. Parlours not registered with Home Affairs
5. Potential fraudulent activities

Two incidents seven years apart highlight a concerning trend in South African society, particularly in the treatment of the deceased. The most recent incident occurred in Stanger, KwaZulu-Natal, where two family members allegedly abandoned a relative's body inside a Capitec bank branch. This bizarre...

26/02/2026

Mobeni Heights Crematorium remains closed despite promises of R14 million for repairs::

THE Mobeni Heights Crematorium remains closed despite a R14 million budget for repairs last year, causing distress among families in the Chatsworth community. Local councillors and residents express frustration over the lack of progress and communication from the eThekwini Municipality.