A discussion about personal death when you are hale and hearty is almost a taboo, especially when it comes to Africans. However, as much as we would like to live for a very long time, death is inevitable and we must be realistic and therefore plan for its eventuality. You can bet that sooner or later it will come!

We live in the developed world and we must properly organise ourselves and plan ahead, including death, whenever it decides to come. Planning for death among other things is not to make things difficult for your family and friends, especially with burial arrangements and its accompanying costs which do not come cheap nowadays. These days, it makes a lot of common sense to procure funeral insurance and to discuss with immediate family e.g. spouse, children, friend etc. Africans have died in this country and it is sad that their friends and family had to scramble around collecting donations for burial or to enable the corpse transported to their home land.

Unfortunately, many Africans in this country fail to procure funeral insurance, even though it cost peanuts. To some, it is as if you are praying for death when you get this important insurance when in fact this is far from the truth. When you get your car insurance or insure your house against theft, does it mean you are praying to have a wreck soon or have your house bungled? What you are doing in essence is to free yourself or loved ones an unnecessary financial burden. You can be paying as low as one euro a month if you start quite early but pay more of-course if you delay until you are older. It is mind blowing that many of us drag our feet in obtaining and paying for funeral insurance whereas (true) most of us find it easy to spend in one-night party what it will cost you for 20-year funeral insurance for example.

Everyone in the Netherlands is obliged to take out health insurance, even if you are on welfare. This ensures that every person is protected against the financial risks of illness and hospital admission. Funeral insurance (Uitvaartverzekering) is an optional but important protection. Upon your death, your next of kin will have to bear the expense of your funeral or cremation. To avoid the burden on them, you can take out funeral insurance and of-course whether you need the insurance will depend on your circumstances. In some cases, an employer or benefits agency will pay out death benefit to the next of kin.

The importance of funeral insurance cannot be underestimated. Funeral bills can be several thousands of euros (and this is just a basic funeral). While your family will want to give you the best they can, they will be helped enormously with financial costs when you have a funeral insurance policy in hand. Unfortunately, you may not be able to rely on life insurance to pay your financial bills at the time of the funeral. Since most funerals are paid for at the time of death, or shortly thereafter, there has not been enough time for a life insurance policy to pay out (this can take months to years if there is a problem).

Funeral insurance provides your family with a payout at the time that you die. The payout is strictly used to pay for funeral costs, including burial costs. There are a number of different plans available to choose from, but most plans will accept anyone between the ages of 15 to 80 into them. There are no health or blood checks done on you. In addition to this, the overall costs are low, sometimes a few euros a week/month.

The general funeral insurance plan can have various components to it as well. For example, some plans offer discounts if more than one household or family member is on it. Single and family plans are available, with some family plans offering discounts of up to 10 percent for the second individual.

In some funeral insurance plans, accidental death, such as when you are involved in a car accident, can result in more of a payout, up to double the costs of a standard payout.

Registration of death: The death of a person is registered at the municipality in which the death took place. In the Netherlands, this is almost always arranged by a funeral director (uitvaartonderneming). Deaths in the Netherlands have to be registered within five days.

Burial and Cremation: Under Dutch law, a funeral or cremation has to take place between 36 hours and five days after the death.

Repatriation of a Foreigner: Repatriation of a body to the home country requires the help of the relevant local Embassy or Consulate. Normally, Consular officials can assist in having the remains returned, in obtaining appropriate documentation and in inquiring about Dutch exit requirements.

Necessary documents: Medical certificate of death issued by the local authorities; Mortuary certificate from the funeral home certifying that the coffin only contains the remains/body of the deceased; Embalming certificate (if necessary); Removal permit from the police authorities and Transit permit from the health authorities.

Muslim burial: Currently five Limburg municipalities reserve places for Muslims who have passed away. Burial in existing churchyards will be provided oriented in the direction of Mecca, since according to the Islamic tradition; Muslims are buried with a shroud, on their right side, in the direction of Mecca. Muslims can also be buried with their own service/rituals.

The Netherlands now has 70 cemeteries with their own Islamic section. It is important to note that grave rights must be paid or otherwise there's a chance the grave will be moved.

Examples of companies that offer funeral insurance (verzekeringen): DELA Uitvaartverzekeringen, Facultatieve Verzekeringen N.V., GUV N.V. Uitvaartverzekeringen, Monuta Uitvaartverzekeringen, Nuvema Uitvaartverzekeringen, OHRA Uitvaartverzekering, PC Uitvaartverzekeringen NV etc.

If you are one of several Africans who currently do not have death insurance, please get one now! Remember, a stitch in time saves nine. Help yourself to help your family!