Staff Writer
For many young Namibians, building a career now comes with heavy family responsibilities. Many support parents nearing retirement, younger siblings still in school, and extended family members with ongoing health needs. This often places them in the role of primary breadwinner, even as they work toward financial independence.
According to Geoffrey Namaseb, sales manager at Standard Insurance Brokers Namibia, this reality is more common than many expect.
“Many young professionals are the backbone of their families,” he says.
“Yet few have the savings needed to absorb sudden financial shocks, particularly the unexpected passing of a loved one – an event that can place families under immense financial and emotional pressure.”
Funerals remain important cultural events, but rising living costs are forcing families to rethink how they prepare for them.
More households are now talking openly about funeral planning as part of wider financial planning.
“Loss can strike without warning. What we are seeing now is a shift toward proactive planning, with young people in particular recognising that they must prepare for responsibilities beyond their own immediate needs,” Namaseb said.
This change shows in company data, which indicates more young Namibians are taking out funeral policies.
This challenges the view that funeral cover is only for older people.
“Young people are often financially responsible for multiple generations. It’s only natural that they are starting to protect themselves and those who rely on them,” he said.
Against this background, Standard Insurance Brokers introduced its flexible funeral policy.
The product is designed to reflect the structure of Namibian families. It allows clients to cover an unlimited number of family members under one policy. This includes spouses, parents and extended relatives who depend on the main member for support.
Cover ranges from N$5 000 to a maximum of N$150 000 for third-party policies, depending on need.
Namaseb said the aim was to respond to rising costs with practical solutions.
“With the financial pressures families face today, our aim was to offer a funeral plan that provides flexibility and meaningful relief during difficult times.”
One feature of the policy is continued cover during short-term financial strain. If a client misses a premium, the policy does not lapse.
Instead, the benefit adjusts in proportion to any missed payments in the six months before a claim. This helps families retain some level of protection during difficult periods.
Namaseb added that this approach reflects today’s economic reality.
“At Standard Insurance Brokers our priority is ensuring that Namibian families remain protected. By recognising the evolving role of young breadwinners and the pressures they carry, we are building solutions that support long-term financial resilience,” he noted.
“When families are prepared for life’s uncertainties, they can navigate loss with dignity rather than financial distress. That peace of mind is invaluable.”
