By Hyline Ocharo
In a bid to shield Kenyan families from the soaring cost of funerals, Britam Connect has unveiled a new last-expense insurance policy, the Heshima Farewell Plan, in partnership with Montezuma Funeral Home.
The product goes beyond traditional cash payouts, offering a comprehensive suite of funeral services designed to ease both the financial and emotional burden of loss.
In major cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu, families often spend over KSh 300,000 on burial arrangements, while rural households face rising expenses for transportation, mortuary services, caskets, and catering.
The Heshima Farewell Plan addresses this challenge by combining insurance coverage with end-to-end funeral support, including mortuary fee payments, transport logistics, casket provision, funeral programs, obituary preparation, chapel services, and even limousine hearse options.
Approved by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), the plan covers both natural and accidental death, ensuring families can give loved ones a dignified send-off without financial strain.
Britam Connect CEO Evah Kimani highlighted the importance of such solutions: “The burden of funeral expenses continues to challenge many families in Kenya. With the Heshima Farewell Plan, we aim to ease this burden and encourage people to plan for the unexpected.”
Montezuma Funeral Home Operations Manager Josh Karuga added that the partnership will help families navigate both the emotional and financial challenges of bereavement.
The Heshima Farewell Plan offers flexible tiers tailored to different income levels, ranging from a Basic Cover of KSh 100,000 at KSh 1,000 annually to a Premium Cover of KSh 500,000 at KSh 1,850 annually, extending coverage to spouses, children, parents, students, and in-laws within specified age limits.
Despite the clear need—funeral budgets for middle-income families often reach KSh 300,000—uptake of funeral insurance in Kenya remains low, with many households still relying on community fundraisers.