Privacy Policy
Last updated: January 2025
Introduction
WS Engledoe and Sons Funerals ("we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our funeral services in accordance with South African privacy laws, including the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) of 2013.
Information We Collect
Personal Information
We may collect and process the following types of personal information:
- Contact details (names, telephone numbers, email addresses, postal addresses)
- Identity numbers and identification documents
- Family relationship information
- Medical information relevant to funeral arrangements
- Financial information for payment processing
- Religious and cultural preferences
- Photographs and other memorial content
Website Information
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:
- IP addresses and browser information
- Pages visited and time spent on our site
- Cookies and similar tracking technologies
- Form submissions and contact requests
How We Use Your Information
We use your personal information for the following legitimate purposes:
- Providing funeral and memorial services
- Processing payments and managing financial transactions
- Communicating with you about our services
- Maintaining accurate records as required by South African law
- Improving our website and services
- Complying with legal obligations and regulatory requirements
- Protecting our legitimate business interests
Legal Basis for Processing (POPIA Compliance)
Under POPIA, we process your personal information based on:
- Consent: Where you have given explicit consent for specific purposes
- Contractual necessity: To fulfill our funeral service contracts
- Legal obligation: To comply with South African laws and regulations
- Legitimate interests: For our business operations where not overridden by your rights
Information Sharing and Disclosure
We may share your information with:
- Government agencies as required by law (Department of Home Affairs, local municipalities)
- Healthcare facilities and medical professionals
- Cemetery and crematorium operators
- Insurance companies (with your consent)
- Service providers who assist with funeral arrangements
- Legal and professional advisors
- Payment processors and financial institutions
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes.
Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information against:
- Unauthorised access, alteration, or disclosure
- Accidental loss or destruction
- Unlawful processing
Our security measures include encrypted data transmission, secure storage systems, and regular security assessments.
Your Rights Under POPIA
You have the following rights regarding your personal information:
- Right to access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you
- Right to correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
- Right to deletion: Request deletion of your information (subject to legal obligations)
- Right to object: Object to processing based on legitimate interests
- Right to data portability: Receive your data in a structured, commonly used format
- Right to withdraw consent: Where processing is based on consent
To exercise these rights, please contact our Information Officer using the details below.
Data Retention
We retain your personal information for:
- The duration necessary to provide our services
- As required by South African law (typically 5-7 years for financial records)
- Until you withdraw consent (where applicable)
We will securely dispose of information that is no longer required.
Cookies and Website Technologies
Our website uses cookies to:
- Improve user experience and website functionality
- Analyse website traffic and usage patterns
- Remember your preferences
You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the updated policy on our website with a revised "Last updated" date.
Contact Information
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights under POPIA, please contact our Information Officer:
Information Officer
WS Engledoe and Sons Funerals
12 Spencer Road
Salt River, Cape Town, 7925
South Africa
Information Regulator
If you are not satisfied with our response to your privacy concerns, you may lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator at:
Website: www.inforegulator.org.za