Terms & Conditions

The Mgazi Family Funeral Fund ("the Fund") exists to provide financial assistance for funeral-related costs of eligible members, subject to the Fund Rules, these Terms & Conditions, and available funds. The Fund operates as a private family mutual aid arrangement where members pool monthly contributions to build a shared reserve used to assist families during times of bereavement.

The Fund is a private family mutual aid arrangement. It is not a funeral plan contract, insurance policy, collective investment scheme, or deposit-taking service. Payments made by the Fund are discretionary assistance grants — not contractual or guaranteed payouts.

All assistance is conditional upon:

• Available fund balance at the time the claim is assessed
• Committee approval following the dual-authorisation process
• Compliance with applicable waiting period requirements
• The member's contribution payment history and standing

Membership is limited to the defined Mgazi family group — descendants, spouses, and partners of the defined family anchor. The Committee may approve or refuse any membership application at its sole discretion. Membership requires:

• Completed registration and verified identity
• Proof of family relationship where required by the Committee
• Acceptance of these Terms & Conditions, the Fund Constitution, and the Privacy Notice
• Payment of the first monthly contribution

Members must contribute a minimum of $5 USD per month (or the currency equivalent). Members may elect to contribute up to $100/month or more according to their preference. Contributions are due on the 1st of each calendar month.

• Maximum benefit per eligible death event: Subject to the member's contribution tier and available fund balance at the time of the claim.
• Maximum claims per rolling 12-month period: One (1) per member.
• The Committee may reduce the payout amount if fund liquidity or reserves fall below established policy thresholds at the time of assessment.

Assistance grants may be applied toward the following funeral-related expenses:

• Funeral director services and mortuary fees
• Burial or cremation fees
• Transportation of the deceased
• Documentation fees (death certificates, official permits)
• Repatriation costs, where applicable
• Any other directly related funeral expenses approved in writing by the Committee

• Fraudulent claims or claims supported by fabricated documentation
• Claims submitted by non-members or members whose membership has been suspended
• Claims arising during the no-benefit waiting period (months 0–3), except for a refund of contributions
• Costs that are unrelated to funeral or burial arrangements
• Claims where the member's contributions are in arrears beyond the grace period at the time of the death event

Claims must be submitted within 30 days of the death event. The following documentation is required:

• Completed claim form
• Death certificate or official notification of death
• Proof of claimant identity
• Proof of claimant authority (named beneficiary or executor letter)
• Funeral invoices, quotes, or receipts
• Payout destination details (bank account or mobile wallet)

The Claims Officer verifies all documentation and eligibility. Payouts require dual authorisation from both the Treasurer and a Trustee. Any disputed claim is escalated to the Dispute Panel for review.

• A member may exit the Fund voluntarily at any time by providing written notice to the Committee.
• Refunds of any unused contributions (net of applicable administrative fees) are at the Committee's discretion and are not guaranteed.
• Pooled reserve contributions are generally non-refundable, as they are held for the benefit of all members collectively.

• The Fund may deduct actual costs including platform fees, payment processing charges, and administrative expenses from the fund balance.
• All deductions are itemised and disclosed transparently in monthly statements sent to all active members.
• Payment gateway fees (Stripe, PayNow, PayFast) are set by the respective providers and are subject to change in accordance with their terms.

• The Fund may invest surplus funds in low-risk, liquid instruments — including money market funds, treasury bills, and short-term deposits — to preserve value over time.
• Investment returns are retained by the Fund to support future assistance grants and operational costs.
• Investment values may fall, and the Fund does not guarantee any level of return on invested funds.
• Prohibited instruments: Cryptocurrency, leveraged financial products, illiquid private assets, and concentrated single-security positions.

Member and beneficiary personal data is processed exclusively for the purposes of administering the Fund, complying with applicable legal obligations, and preventing fraud. We follow data protection best practices aligned with UK GDPR and relevant local data protection legislation. Full details are set out in our Privacy Notice.

Disputes are resolved through an escalating four-step process:

1. Informal resolution — the parties resolve the matter directly within 7 days
2. Dispute Panel — a written decision issued within 14 days by a 3-person panel elected annually
3. External mediation — facilitated by a family elder council or a professional mediator
4. Legal action — only as an absolute last resort, subject to the Fund's governing law

These Terms may be amended by a majority vote of active members. Members will be notified at least 14 days before any changes take effect. Continued participation in the Fund after the notice period constitutes acceptance of the amended terms.

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Fund's registered jurisdiction. The Fund's governing law is separate from and in addition to any service provider or payment platform terms that may apply to individual transactions.