Death in the city: Burial societies in Soweto

Abstract

Burial societies are perhaps the most widespread of mutual aid societies in Soweto, They are associations whose purpose is to provide their members with financial assistance when a death occurs in their family. They arise out of peoples1 desire to ensure that they will be buried properly or that they will be in a position to provide a proper burial for a family member. Thus, in order to fully understand the role which societies of this type play in Soweto, it is essential that we appreciate the reasons which underlie this desire, to be buried properly.