PERKESO Khairat Kematian: How to Claim the RM3,000 Funeral Benefit

When someone dies, families in Malaysia are often blindsided by the immediate cost of the funeral — a minimum of RM7,800 to RM10,000 for even a basic service — while simultaneously locked out of the deceased's bank accounts and EPF savings. Several statutory programs exist to provide immediate financial relief, but they require active applications with strict deadlines. Most families miss them because no one tells them these programs exist.

What Is Khairat Kematian?

Khairat kematian (literally "death charity") refers to funeral assistance payments provided by government bodies, employers, or religious organizations to help cover the cost of burial or cremation. In the context of statutory benefits, the most significant source is PERKESO (Pertubuhan Keselamatan Sosial), also known as SOCSO — the Social Security Organisation.

Several distinct programs use the khairat kematian label:

1. PERKESO/SOCSO Funeral Benefit — statutory benefit for employees covered by SOCSO
2. State government khairat kematian programs — vary by state (Selangor, Kedah, etc.)
3. Employer-paid khairat kematian — discretionary amounts paid by some employers, especially in collective agreements

This article covers the statutory programs.

PERKESO/SOCSO Funeral Benefit (Khairat Kematian)

PERKESO administers the Invalidity Scheme, which provides 24-hour coverage to eligible employees for death from any cause — not only work-related deaths. This is a common misconception: SOCSO's Invalidity Scheme covers death regardless of whether it happened at work or elsewhere.

Benefit amount: RM3,000 (effective June 1, 2024, increased from the previous RM2,500)

Who can claim:

• The next-of-kin of a deceased PERKESO contributor who was covered under the Invalidity Scheme
• If the funeral expenses were borne by a person who is not the legal heir (e.g., a friend or employer), that person can still claim the benefit as a reimbursement based on submitted receipts, up to the RM3,000 maximum

Eligibility condition for the deceased: The deceased must have been an active PERKESO contributor covered under the Invalidity Scheme. Contributions are typically made by private sector employees and their employers under the Employment Insurance System.

How to claim the SOCSO funeral benefit:

1. Obtain the original death certificate from JPN
2. Gather funeral receipts and invoices (if claiming as a reimbursement, not as a direct heir)
3. Submit the claim through PERKESO's online portal (my.perkeso.gov.my) or at the nearest PERKESO office
4. Bring the claimant's identification card and the deceased's identification card

The payout is intended to defray immediate funeral costs. Apply as soon as possible — do not wait until the estate is fully administered.

Survivors' Pension

Beyond the funeral benefit, eligible dependents of a deceased PERKESO contributor may qualify for a continuing monthly Survivors' Pension. This replaces the Invalidity Pension the deceased may have been receiving (or would have been entitled to).

Eligible dependents in priority order:

• Widow or widower (receives the pension for life, subject to remarriage conditions)
• Children under 21 years of age

The Survivors' Pension is a separate application from the funeral benefit and requires additional documentation regarding the family structure. Contact the nearest PERKESO office to initiate this process promptly — delays in applying can affect the payment start date.

Selangor Khairat Darul Ehsan (KDE)

The state government of Selangor operates the Khairat Darul Ehsan (KDE) program, which provides direct cash assistance to help with funeral arrangements for qualifying Selangor residents.

Benefit amount: RM1,000

Eligibility: Generally for senior citizens and lower-income Selangor residents. The specific eligibility criteria are administered by the Selangor state government — check with the nearest Selangor Social Welfare Department (Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat Selangor) or the Selangor State Secretariat for current requirements.

How to apply: Applications are made through the JKM Selangor office. Required documents typically include the death certificate, identification cards of both the deceased and the applicant, proof of residence in Selangor, and documentation confirming eligibility (e.g., proof of senior citizen status).

Note that other states may have similar programs under different names. Check with the local welfare department in the state where the deceased resided.

EPF Death Assistance: A Related Benefit

Separate from PERKESO, the Employees Provident Fund (EPF/KWSP) also provides a discretionary Death Assistance payment:

Amount: RM2,500

Eligibility: Next-of-kin of an EPF member who dies before age 60

How to claim: Submit Form KWSP 9KM at any EPF service centre within six months of the death. Missing this six-month window forfeits the payment. This is a goodwill payment — it does not come from the deceased's EPF savings balance.

What Happens if the Deceased Has No EPF Nomination?

If the deceased did not register an EPF nominee, the main EPF savings balance cannot be released without formal estate administration documents (Letters of Administration, Grant of Probate, or an ARB order). However, the Death Assistance payment (RM2,500 via Form KWSP 9KM) can still be claimed separately and does not require estate administration. Do not confuse the Death Assistance claim with the process of releasing the main EPF savings balance — they are completely different procedures.

Total Immediate Financial Relief Available

For a family that claims all available statutory benefits promptly:

This adds up to RM6,500 in immediate cash relief that can be applied toward funeral expenses — before any bank accounts or EPF savings are unfrozen.

Common Mistakes Families Make

Not claiming at all. These benefits are not automatic. If you do not apply, you do not receive them. Funeral homes rarely mention them.

Missing the EPF six-month window. The Death Assistance application has a hard deadline. Set a reminder if you are managing multiple administrative tasks simultaneously.

Confusing the funeral benefit with the survivors' pension. These are separate applications with separate timelines and separate requirements. Apply for both.

Assuming SOCSO doesn't apply because the death wasn't work-related. The Invalidity Scheme covers death from any cause, not just workplace accidents. A significant number of families miss the PERKESO funeral benefit because they assume it only applies to work-related deaths.

Getting the Complete Picture

The Malaysia Funeral Laws & Consumer Rights Guide covers all statutory benefits — PERKESO, EPF, state programs, and JPA derivative pensions for civil servants — with the exact forms, deadlines, and step-by-step application process for each. It also covers how to unlock the deceased's main assets while these benefits are being processed.

Key Points

• PERKESO's khairat kematian pays RM3,000 to eligible families of SOCSO contributors — it covers death from any cause, not only workplace deaths
• Claims can be submitted by a non-heir who paid the funeral expenses, using receipts, up to the RM3,000 maximum
• The EPF Death Assistance payment (RM2,500) has a strict six-month application deadline (Form KWSP 9KM)
• Selangor's Khairat Darul Ehsan program provides RM1,000 for qualifying residents
• All three benefits require active applications — they are not automatic
• These are separate from the main EPF savings release process, which requires formal estate administration documents

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