Funeral expenses are in the nature of a lump sum payment upto a maximum of Rs. 2500/- made to defray the expenditure on the funeral of deceased insured person. The amount is paid either to the eldest surviving member of the family or, in his absence, to the person who actually incurs the expenditure on the funeral.

Death Report (Regulation 95B)

On the death of an insured person, a death report is required to be submitted immediately to the Branch Office of the deceased insured person by -
•    the employer if the death occurs at the place of employment
•    the person entitled and intending to claim funeral expenses if death occurs at any other place
•    any other person present at the time of death if he so decides.

Death Certificate (Regulation 95C)

The following persons may issue  a death certificate in form-17 to the person entitled and intending to claim funeral expenses,  free of charge. 

• the Insurance Medical Officer/Insurance Medical Practitioner attending the insured person at the time of death or 

• the Insurance Medical Officer/Insurance Medical Practitioner who examines the body of the insured person after his death or 

• the Medical Officer who attended the insured person in a hospital or other institution where such insured person died, 

Other evidence in lieu of a certificate (Regulation 95D)

Under Regulation 95D, in the absence of a death certificate in form 17, any other alternative evidence of death can also be accepted in lieu of a death certificate if, in the opinion of the Corporation, the circumstances of any particular case so justify. 

The  Joint Director, Deputy Director and Assistant Director at the Sub Regional level and the Branch Manager at the Branch Office level may accept the following documents as alternative evidence under Regulation  95-D for grant of funeral expenses.

• Death certificate issued by cremation/ burial ground.

• Death certificate issued by a Municipal Committee/ Corporation/ Govt. hospital

• Certified copy of village death records etc.

• Death certificate issued by a Insurance Medical Officer/ Insurance Medical Practitioner in the form other than the form 17.

• Death certificate issued by a Govt. or a recognised hospital where the insured person was receiving indoor treatment.

• Such other evidence as may be acceptable to the appropriate Regional Office in the circumstances of a particular case and conveyed in writing by it to the Branch Office.