Shamu calls on funeral assurance to service rural areas

10 hearses and 10 courtesy vehicles by Moonlight Funeral Assurance and Services in Harare yesterday, Minister Shamu said people in remote areas were having difficulties during bereavement times.
The vehicles will be used by the company’s clients during funerals.
“Funeral assurance companies should continuously improve their products and venture into previously marginalised areas where people have no access to services offered by these organisations.
“Many people in the rural areas have no access to your services and it is your duty to reach out to them,” he said.
Minister Shamu said people in the rural areas were relying on informal funeral insurance schemes.
“The importance of funeral assurance in peripheral areas is demonstrated  where people pool their financial resources to help themselves cope with future funeral expenses.
“There is no doubt that funeral expenses are a major preoccupation for many families who value the cultural importance of a dignified funeral. This is why we prioritise funeral assurance,” he said.
Minister Shamu urged funeral services companies to invest their premiums in projects that helped in the growth of the economy.
He said services should be commensurate with monthly premiums people were paying.
“People should be satisfied with whatever you do. Their contributions should tally with the services that you offer,” he said.
Moonlight group chief executive Mr Chomi Makina said the economic hardships faced in the past decade were making it difficult for the company to provide efficient services to their clients.
“Obvious reasons were making it impossible for the company to even replenish our fleet. We are now back on our feet and hope things will continue to improve for people to get decent burials,” he said.
Mr Makina said there was a need for the company to assist civil servants as their salaries were below the poverty datum line.
“The money most of workers, especially civil servants, are getting is not enough to cater for their needs hence the need to work closely with them.
“Some people in the rural areas walk for long distances using scotch carts to carry bodies of deceased ones and this has to come an end,” he said.