Privacy Policy

Last updated: 10 October 2025

Who we are

Our website address is: https://gogelafunerals.co.za.

LG Gogela Funerals (Pty) Ltd (“LG Gogela”, “we”, “us”) provides funeral services including arrangements, burial, cremation, tombstones, transport, repatriation, and related support.

We process personal information in line with South Africa’s Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (POPIA).

What personal data we collect and why

We collect only what is necessary to deliver our services and operate this website, including:

  • Identification & contact: name, email, phone/WhatsApp, address.
  • Service-related: next-of-kin details, preferences, venue/cemetery/crematorium details, obituary content.
  • Documents (when needed): SA ID/passport, medical certificate of cause of death, permits, repatriation paperwork, insurance policy info.
  • Payment/admin: quotes, invoices, limited payment metadata (we don’t store full card numbers).
  • Website data: IP address, user agent, device/browser info, pages visited, cookies (see “Cookies”).
  • Media uploads: images/files you submit via forms.
  • Security: server logs and spam detection data.

Comments

When visitors leave comments, we collect the data shown in the comments form, plus the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent to help spam detection. An anonymised hash of your email may be sent to Gravatar to check if you use it. See Gravatar’s policy: automattic.com/privacy. After approval, your profile picture is visible with your comment.

Media

If you upload images, avoid uploading images with embedded location data (EXIF GPS). Visitors can download and extract location data from images on the website.

Cookies

  • If you leave a comment, you may opt in to saving your name, email and website in cookies for your convenience (lasts 1 year).
  • Visiting the login page sets a temporary cookie to check if your browser accepts cookies (no personal data; removed when you close the browser).
  • When you log in, we set cookies to save your login and screen options. Login cookies last 2 days; screen options 1 year. “Remember Me” keeps login for 2 weeks. Logging out removes login cookies.
  • If you edit or publish a post, an additional cookie containing the post ID will be saved (expires after 1 day).

Embedded content from other websites

Articles on this site may include embedded content (e.g., videos, images, maps, articles). Embedded content from other websites behaves as if you visited that website. They may collect data about you, use cookies, embed third-party tracking, and monitor your interaction—especially if you have an account and are logged in to that website.

Analytics (if enabled)

We may use privacy-friendly analytics to understand site usage (e.g., page views, device types). This may use cookies or anonymous identifiers. We do not use analytics to identify you personally.

WhatsApp, phone & email

When you contact us via WhatsApp, phone or email, we process your number/email and message content to respond and maintain a service record. Please avoid sending highly sensitive documents in open chat—if needed, we’ll provide secure alternatives.

Who we share your data with

We share only what’s necessary with:

  • Operational partners: cemeteries, crematoriums, mortuaries, transport/hearse providers, tombstone engravers, venues, caterers.
  • Medical/legal/government: hospitals, doctors, SAPS (where required), Department of Home Affairs.
  • Repatriation: embassies/consulates, airlines, cross-border partners and customs.
  • Insurance & payments: insurers, underwriters, brokers, payment processors.
  • IT & security: website host, email provider, spam detection and backup providers.

If you request a password reset, your IP address may be included in the reset email to prevent abuse.

Cross-border transfers

When services (e.g., repatriation) require sharing data outside South Africa, we take reasonable steps to ensure adequate protection and transfer only what is necessary.

How long we retain your data

  • Comments: retained indefinitely to recognise and auto-approve follow-ups.
  • Registered users (if any): we store the personal information in their user profile; users can view, edit or delete their information at any time (username cannot be changed). Site administrators can also see and edit that information.
  • Service records & documents: typically 5–7 years (or longer if law requires), then securely deleted/anonymised.
  • Server logs & spam checks: retained for a limited period for security and troubleshooting.

Your rights under POPIA

You may request access, correction or deletion (where lawful), object to processing, or withdraw consent (where processing is based on consent). To exercise rights, contact privacy@gogelafunerals.co.za (we may need to verify your identity). You may also lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa): inforeg@justice.gov.za • inforegulator.org.za.

Where your data is sent

Visitor comments may be checked through an automated spam detection service. Hosting and certain providers may be located outside South Africa; we use reputable vendors and appropriate safeguards.

Security

We use reasonable technical and organisational measures (access controls, encryption where appropriate, staff confidentiality, secure hosting and backups) to protect personal information. If a qualifying security compromise occurs, we will notify you and the Information Regulator as required by POPIA.

Children’s information

Where we must process information about a minor (e.g., next-of-kin), we do so through a competent person (parent/guardian/authorised representative) and only what is necessary for lawful services.

Direct marketing

We only send marketing with your consent or as permitted by law. You can opt out at any time via the message link or by emailing privacy@gogelafunerals.co.za.

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date reflects the latest version. Significant changes will be highlighted on this page.

Contact us (privacy queries)

Information Officer: (to be designated) • Email: privacy@gogelafunerals.co.za • Tel / WhatsApp: +27 79 477 1901 • Address: GH 305 Fort Grey, Bongweni Location, East London, Eastern Cape, 5201, South Africa