Terms & Conditions

1. Purpose of the Fund

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 reserve used to assist families during bereavement.

2. Not Insurance — No Guarantee

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 guaranteed payouts. The Fund does not guarantee any fixed payout amount. All assistance is subject to:

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

3. Membership

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

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

4. Contributions

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

• Grace period: 7 days from the due date
• Late payment: Benefits may be suspended until arrears are cleared
• Payment methods: Stripe (global cards & bank transfers), PayNow (Zimbabwe mobile money), PayFast (South Africa)
• Currency: USD, GBP, ZAR, ZWL accepted. Conversions at prevailing rates.

5. Waiting Periods

To protect all members and ensure fund sustainability, tiered waiting periods apply before full benefits become available:

Waiting periods prevent adverse selection and protect fund sustainability for all members.

6. Benefit Cap & Frequency

• Maximum benefit per eligible death event: Subject to the member's contribution tier and fund availability
• Maximum claims per member per rolling 12 months: 1
• The Committee may reduce the payout amount if fund liquidity or reserves fall below policy thresholds

7. Permitted Uses of Assistance

Assistance grants may be used for:

• Funeral director services
• Burial or cremation fees
• Transportation of the deceased
• Documentation fees (death certificates, permits)
• Repatriation costs (where applicable)
• Other directly related funeral expenses approved by the Committee

8. Exclusions

The Fund will not pay assistance for:

• Fraudulent claims or fabricated documentation
• Claims from non-members or suspended members
• Claims during the no-benefit waiting period (months 0–3), except refund of contributions
• Costs unrelated to funeral arrangements
• Claims where the member's contributions are in arrears beyond the grace period

9. Claims Process

Claims must be submitted within 30 days of the death event. Required documentation:

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

The Claims Officer verifies documentation. Payouts require dual authorisation from the Treasurer and a Trustee. If a claim is disputed, it is escalated to the Dispute Panel.

10. Refunds & Cancellation

• A member may exit the Fund voluntarily at any time
• Refunds of unused contributions (minus any administrative fees) are at the Committee's discretion
• Pooled reserve contributions are generally non-refundable
• Written notice of withdrawal is required

11. Fees & Deductions

• The Fund may deduct actual costs including platform fees, payment processing fees, and administrative expenses
• All deductions are disclosed in monthly statements to members
• Payment gateway fees (Stripe, PayNow, PayFast) are external and may change per provider terms

12. Investment Policy

• The Fund may invest surplus funds in low-risk, liquid instruments (money market funds, treasury bills, short-term deposits) to preserve value
• Investment returns are retained by the Fund to support future assistance and administration
• Investment values can fall; the Fund does not guarantee returns
• Prohibited: cryptocurrency, leveraged instruments, illiquid private assets, concentrated single equities

13. Data Protection

Member and beneficiary personal data is processed only to administer the Fund, comply with legal obligations, and prevent fraud. We follow data protection best practices aligned with applicable laws including UK GDPR and local data protection regulations. Full details are in our Privacy Notice.

14. Disputes

Disputes are resolved through the following escalation process:

1. Informal resolution within 7 days
2. Dispute Panel decision within 14 days (3-person panel elected annually)
3. External mediation (family elder council or professional mediator)
4. Legal action only as a last resort

15. Amendments

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 after the notice period constitutes acceptance of the amended terms.

16. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Fund's registered jurisdiction. The Fund's governing law is separate from any service provider's terms (e.g., payment platform terms).

17. Contact

For questions about these Terms, contact the Fund Committee via the platform or at the addresses provided upon registration.