Attending a funeral during the lockdown

Any person who wants to travel between a metropolitan, district area or province in order to attend a funeral or a cremation, will have to obtain a permit to do so.  Such a permit can be obtained from a local magistrate’s office or police station.

Only the following categories of people may obtain a permit to travel between a metropolitan or district area or province to attend a funeral or cremation:

• • spouse or partner of the deceased;
  • child of the deceased, whether biological, adopted or stepchild;
  • child-in-law of the deceased;
  • parent of the deceased whether biological, adopted or stepparent;
  • sibling, whether biological, adopted or stepbrother or sister of the deceased;
  • grandparent of the deceased; and
  • person closely affiliated to the deceased.

In order to obtain a permit, the following must be produced to the magistrate, who is the head of the office of the magistrate’s court or the station commander of a police station (or such person designated by them):

• • a death certificate; or
  • a certified copy of the death certificate,
  • provided that where a death certificate is not yet available the person requesting the permit must make a sworn affidavit.

Attendance at a funeral or cremation is limited to 50 people, provided that no night vigil shall be held and that all safety hygiene measures are strictly adhered to.