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.

Britam Connect, the micro-insurance arm of Britam Holdings, has partnered with Montezuma Funeral Home to launch the Heshima Farewell Plan, a last-expense policy aimed at helping Kenyan families manage funeral costs. The product was unveiled on April 8, 2026 at Britam Towers in Nairobi, with Britam saying it is responding to increasing burial-related expenses across the country.

According to the press release, funeral costs in major urban centres including Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu can exceed KES 300,000, with additional pressure in rural areas driven by transport, mortuary fees, coffins, ceremonies and catering. Britam Connect positioned the new cover as an option for households that often rely on welfare groups, community contributions or borrowing to meet such expenses.

The Heshima Farewell Plan has been approved by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), Britam said, and provides support for burial and related costs arising from natural or accidental death. Unlike products that only pay out cash, the partnership with Montezuma Funeral Home is structured to offer managed funeral services, with packages that may include mortuary fee payments, hearse and countrywide transportation, a casket, wreaths and flowers, portrait preparation, obituary support, funeral programmes, chapel service and limousine hearse services, depending on the selected option.

“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,” said Evah Kimani, CEO and Principal Officer of Britam Connect, speaking at the launch.

Britam Connect cited research by the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) indicating that the average funeral budget for a middle-class Kenyan family ranges between KES 50,000 and KES 300,000. The company said the pricing and benefit structure is intended to accommodate different income levels.

Under the product terms provided in the statement, the Basic Cover offers KES 100,000 in benefits at an annual premium of KES 1,000, while the Standard Cover offers KES 150,000 for KES 1,400 per year. The Executive Cover provides KES 300,000 at an annual premium of KES 1,700, and the Premium Cover offers KES 500,000 for KES 1,850 annually.

Josh Karuga, Operations Manager at Montezuma Funeral Home, said the partnership is aimed at easing both the emotional and financial strain associated with bereavement. “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,” he said.

Eligibility details shared by Britam Connect indicate applicants and spouses aged 18 to 70 can join, with renewable cover 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 cover extending to age 85. Waiting periods range from one to six months depending on cause of death, Britam said.

For Kenya’s insurance market, the launch underscores insurers’ increased focus on microinsurance products designed around specific, high-frequency household risks, including funeral expenses. The tie-up model with a service provider also signals an approach that blends underwriting with service delivery, potentially differentiating funeral cover products beyond price alone.

Britam Connect said the launch builds on its earlier entry into funeral insurance partnerships, including a previous arrangement with Francis Funeral Home in Busia targeting Western Kenya communities. The company did not provide sales targets or rollout timelines beyond the product launch, but said it expects the plan to contribute to greater awareness and adoption of funeral insurance.