FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Ubuntu Farewell is a farewell cover and support platform built for Africans at home and in the diaspora. We provide affordable last expense cover, repatriation coordination, cultural rite-matching, and end-to-end family support — all delivered through WhatsApp. Think of us as the steady hand that guides your family through one of life’s hardest moments.

Ubuntu is a Nguni Bantu philosophy that translates roughly as: ‘I am because we are.’ It speaks to the interconnectedness of people — the idea that we exist through and with one another. It is the philosophical foundation of everything we do.

Ubuntu Farewell is for Africans living and working away from home — whether that means living in the diaspora (UK, USA, Canada, UAE, Australia) or living and working within Africa but away from your ancestral home. The cover protects you, and it protects the family you leave behind.

We are currently live in Kenya, with services extending to Africans in the diaspora globally. Repatriation is coordinated from anywhere in the world. We are growing — additional markets will be announced in due course.

All Ubuntu Farewell cover is underwritten by Old Mutual Kenya, one of Africa’s most established and trusted financial services groups. Repatriation and on-the-ground services are supported by AVBOB.

Our Nuclear Family plan starts from US$150 per year (covering the principal, spouse, and up to four children). Our Extended Family plan starts from US$170 per year and adds cover for parents and parents-in-law. Full pricing tiers are available on our Pricing page.

Nuclear Family benefits range from US$5,000 to US$20,000, depending on the plan tier you select. Extended Family plans include additional cover for parents and parents-in-law at US$3,500 each.

The Nuclear Family plan covers the principal policyholder, their spouse, and up to four children. The Extended Family plan adds cover for two parents or parents-in-law. You nominate your beneficiaries when you sign up.

Beyond the cash benefit, your plan includes return flights for two nominated beneficiaries to attend the farewell, seven days of vehicle hire, seven days of self-catering accommodation for the family, event facilities including a 200-seater tent, and live streaming so family abroad can participate. Cultural rite coordination is also built in.

Yes. You can add a Last Testament Will (US$20 once-off), a Travel Insurance Rider (US$10 per trip), and a Premium Memorial Programme and Live Streaming package (US$25). These are optional and can be added at any time.

Payment is accepted in USD, GBP, ZAR, AED, and AUD via M-Pesa, M-Pesa Global, and other supported payment methods. Your payment options will be confirmed during WhatsApp onboarding.

When a loss occurs, the family or a nominated beneficiary starts a claim via WhatsApp. Our team guides you through each step: document submission, claim verification by Old Mutual, service provider pairing, and payout. You can track every stage in real time — no waiting by the phone.

Our target is a 48-hour payout from the point of verified claim submission. We track every claim in real time so your family always knows what is happening.

You will need the death certificate, the policyholder’s ID, and the relevant beneficiary details. Our WhatsApp concierge will guide you through the exact requirements when you initiate a claim — we make the checklist as simple as possible.

That is exactly what Ubuntu Farewell is designed for. Repatriation is coordinated from wherever the loss occurs — globally. Our team works with AVBOB and trusted local partners to bring your loved one home, with your cultural preferences honoured throughout.

The nominated beneficiaries you registered when you took out the plan. Payouts are disbursed to your nominated M-Pesa number or bank account within 48 hours of claim verification.

A dedicated concierge is available around the clock. All claims are supported by a transparent, real-time tracker. Old Mutual’s full claims escalation process is available if needed. We will always communicate clearly about where your claim stands and why.

Yes — and this is central to what we do. When you sign up, you record your ethnic background and rite preferences. These are stored and activated at the point of claim. Your traditions are not an afterthought; they are built into your plan from day one.

We currently support Kikuyu, Luo, Luhya, Kamba, Zulu, Xhosa, Yoruba, Akan, and a growing list of other traditions. If your specific tradition is not listed during onboarding, speak to our team on WhatsApp and we will work with you to accommodate it.

Start a conversation on WhatsApp and tell us what matters to you. Our team will work with you to understand your family’s needs. Cultural respect is not one-size-fits-all — we treat every farewell as individual.

Yes. Live streaming is available as part of a Memorial Programme package, allowing family anywhere in the world to participate in real time. Digital memorial programmes are also available for online sharing.

Everything starts on WhatsApp. Send us a message at +254 74 309 9277 and our onboarding flow will guide you through the process step by step. It takes less than five minutes to get covered.

No. Ubuntu Farewell is WhatsApp-native. You do not need to download anything. If you have WhatsApp, you can access everything we offer.

Yes. You can onboard from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. Our platform is built for Africans globally, not just those based in Kenya.

You will need your personal details (name, ID number, date of birth), your beneficiary details (name and contact number), and your payment method. Everything else is guided by our WhatsApp onboarding flow.

Yes. You can update your beneficiary details and plan preferences at any time by messaging us on WhatsApp. We recommend reviewing your plan whenever your family circumstances change.

Message us on WhatsApp at +254 74 309 9277 or email us at hello@ubuntufarewell.com. We are here to help.