Ecumenical Burial Societies in South Africa: Mutual Caring and Support that Transcends Ecclesiastical and Religious Differences

Abstract

Burial societies play a significant role in the African community in South Africa. Even in the most deprived circumstances, Africans concern themselves with burials of dear ones worthy of the person and the occasion. The sense of mutual support which has always been foremost in the African community comes to expression within the context of the burial societies. Each burial society is a mutual aid organization. Each member contributes towards this communal assistance. In no other organization associated with the churches are denominational and ecclesiastical barriers of so little concern as in the context of these burial societies. Here many non-Christians receive for the first time the Christian message. A few thousand such burial clubs or societies exist in South Africa, with several million members from South Africa's black community.