Britam Connect, the micro-insurance arm of Britam Holdings, has partnered with Montezuma Funeral Home to introduce the Heshima Farewell Plan, a last-expense policy aimed at helping Kenyan families meet burial and related costs. The product was launched in Nairobi on April 8, 2026, at Britam Towers, and has been approved by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), according to the companies.
The companies said the plan is designed to respond to rising funeral expenses across Kenya. In major urban centres including Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu, funerals can cost more than KES 300,000, Britam Connect said, citing costs such as transportation, mortuary fees, coffins, ceremonies and catering.
Unlike conventional funeral covers that mainly provide a cash payout, the partnership with Montezuma Funeral Home is structured to offer an end-to-end service option. Britam Connect said the packages may include mortuary service payments, a hearse and transportation to destinations across the country, a casket, wreaths and casket flowers, portrait preparation, obituary support, funeral programmes, a chapel service and a limousine hearse, depending on the selected plan.
Speaking at the launch, Evah Kimani, CEO and Principal Officer of Britam Connect, said the product is intended to reduce the financial pressure associated with bereavement. “The burden of funeral expenses continues to challenge many families in Kenya. With the Heshima Farewell Plan, we aim to ease this burden and encourage people to plan for the unexpected, so families can focus on grieving without financial stress,” Kimani said.
The rollout comes as industry players attempt to deepen insurance penetration in everyday risk categories. Britam Connect referenced findings by the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) which indicate that the average funeral budget for a middle-class Kenyan family ranges between KES 50,000 and KES 300,000, underscoring demand for products that can help households manage sudden expenses.
Under the pricing shared by Britam Connect, the Basic Cover provides benefits of KES 100,000 at an annual premium of KES 1,000. The Standard Cover provides KES 150,000 for KES 1,400 per year. The Executive Cover provides KES 300,000 at an annual premium of KES 1,700, while the Premium Cover provides KES 500,000 for KES 1,850 annually.
Montezuma Funeral Home said the partnership is intended to support families beyond the financing aspect. “We see firsthand the emotional and financial strain families go through when they lose a loved one. This partnership with Britam Connect allows us to support families more holistically, ensuring they can give their loved ones a respectful send-off without the added burden of unexpected costs,” said Josh Karuga, Operations Manager at Montezuma Funeral Home.
Britam Connect said eligibility includes applicants and spouses aged 18 to 70, with renewable coverage up to age 80. Children from one month to 18 years, and students up to 25 years with proof of enrolment, can be included. Parents and parents-in-law can join up to age 80, with coverage extending to age 85. Waiting periods range from one to six months depending on the cause of death, the company said.
For Kenya’s insurance market, the product highlights a push by underwriters and service providers to bundle insurance with delivery partners in order to improve customer experience and reduce disputes around claims usage. Britam Connect also positioned the launch as part of its expansion in funeral insurance, following an earlier partnership with Francis Funeral Home in Busia focused on Western Kenya.
Next, market attention is likely to focus on distribution and uptake, with Britam Connect acknowledging that funeral insurance adoption remains relatively low and that many households still rely on welfare groups, community fundraising and loans to cover funeral costs.