In a time when communities seek dignity, unity, and sustainable ways to care for their own, the Chitomborwizi Burial Society emerges as a groundbreaking initiative designed to strengthen the traditional burial society movement in Zimbabwe and among Zimbabweans in the diaspora. Rooted in cooperative values and driven by innovation, Chitomborwizi brings together the power of community with the backing of national institutions to offer more than just funeral support—it offers resilience, pride, and empowerment.

With the support of Stone River Funeral Assurance (Pvt) Ltd., Co-op Sure Insurance Cooperative Society, Co-op Pay SACCO, and the Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank (ZWMB), Chitomborwizi is transforming how burial societies operate. It provides newly formed chapters with essential equipment, training, and financial backing to ensure they are ready from day one—not only to support bereaved families but to do so with dignity, preparedness, and financial sustainability.

Whether based in rural Zimbabwe or in a diaspora community abroad, Chitomborwizi is calling on cooperative societies across all sectors—with at least 20 members—to become chapters of this innovative, hybrid burial support model. Through this model, Chitomborwizi is redefining community insurance, turning every chapter into a symbol of collective strength, cultural pride, and practical solidarity.

2. The Vision of Chitomborwizi Burial Society

The vision of Chitomborwizi Burial Society is to build a nationwide and global community-based funeral support system that ensures dignified, affordable, and culturally sensitive burials for all members, regardless of location or income level.

At the heart of this vision is the belief that no family should face the emotional and financial burden of death alone. Chitomborwizi aims to strengthen the spirit of ubuntu and mutual aid by equipping communities to care for their own, while integrating modern financial tools, professional services, and cooperative values.

Chitomborwizi envisions a time when:

·        Every co-operative society in Zimbabwe, and every Zimbabwean community in the diaspora, has access to structured, well-equipped burial support.

·        Funeral planning is not a financial shock but a manageable part of life, underwritten by community solidarity and responsible planning.

·        Burial societies are empowered with equipment, training, regalia, and digital systems to operate with dignity, pride, and full functionality.

·        Chapters become centres of community cohesion, offering support not only in times of loss but as hubs for financial education, solidarity, and cultural continuity.

Ultimately, Chitomborwizi aspires to revive and modernize the burial society movement into a scalable, hybrid model that keeps the heart of tradition while embracing innovation—empowering communities from villages to cities, and from Zimbabwe to the diaspora.

3. Strategic Support Partners

The success and sustainability of Chitomborwizi Burial Society is built on the strength of its strategic partnerships. These partners bring financial, operational, technical, and insurance expertise to ensure that every chapter functions efficiently and that members receive the highest level of support.

Stone River Funeral Assurance (Pvt) Ltd. – Guaranteeing Dignified Farewells

As the primary funeral assurance provider, Stone River Funeral Assurance (Pvt) Ltd. plays a critical role in the Chitomborwizi ecosystem. Through its national infrastructure and professional services, Stone River ensures that every member receives a dignified and timely funeral, regardless of location.

Stone River’s involvement includes:

·        Provision of funeral assurance cover for all registered members, reducing the financial pressure on families when death occurs.

·        Ensuring professional funeral services including body collection, preparation, transportation, and burial support.

·        Partnering in performance assurance by receiving a designated portion of monthly contributions to guarantee service delivery.

·        Supporting the training of morticians and funeral administrators, ensuring that each chapter eventually has local skills to handle funeral processes professionally.

With years of experience and a deep understanding of Zimbabwe’s cultural landscape, Stone River brings credibility, structure, and trust to the Chitomborwizi vision.

Co-op Sure Insurance Cooperative Society – Community-Owned Risk Protection

The Co-op Sure Insurance Cooperative Society adds a unique dimension to Chitomborwizi by anchoring the initiative in community-owned insurance. As a cooperative insurance body, Co-op Sure ensures that the risk protection model is built around solidarity, transparency, and collective ownership.

Co-op Sure’s role includes:

·        Offering additional cooperative-based insurance products that strengthen the burial society’s ability to manage risk, beyond funeral assurance.

·        Encouraging each chapter to participate in ownership of the broader cooperative insurance movement, promoting long-term sustainability.

·        Ensuring that the insurance model remains accessible, culturally relevant, and aligned to the needs of the informal and cooperative sectors.

By being part of Chitomborwizi, members are not only protected—they become co-owners of the insurance system, reinforcing the value of self-reliance and cooperative growth.

Co-op Pay SACCO – Digital Member Management and Contribution Platform

Co-op Pay SACCO provides the financial backbone of the Chitomborwizi system by offering digital tools and a financial ecosystem where members can manage their contributions, access benefits, and transact with other cooperatives.

Co-op Pay SACCO contributes to Chitomborwizi by:

·        Hosting the Chitomborwizi digital page where all chapters are represented and members can search, subscribe, and contribute online.

·        Facilitating secure, trackable digital contributions that are transparently distributed to equipment funding, chapter operational accounts, and the assurance fund.

·        Enabling access to the Copa Loyalty Program, where members earn rewards for participation and loyalty which can be redeemed at partner co-ops and merchants.

·        Empowering chapters to operate with financial discipline and transparency through digital statements and dashboards.

With Co-op Pay SACCO, Chitomborwizi is not just a funeral solution—it becomes a financially inclusive and digitally enabled community movement.

Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank (ZWMB) – Financing Community Readiness

The Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank (ZWMB) plays a transformative role by making it possible for new chapters to hit the ground running with all the equipment and resources they need.

ZWMB supports Chitomborwizi by:

·        Funding the initial equipment package—including tents, burnmaries, chairs, cooking utensils, a trailer, solar power, and a water tank—for each qualifying chapter as a loan.

·        Structuring repayments to be automatically deducted from member contributions, making it affordable and manageable for each chapter.

·        Promoting women-led burial chapters, ensuring that women play a leadership role in funeral planning, finance, and administration.

·        Providing financial literacy and training support to chapter leaders, enhancing the professionalism and accountability of each unit.

Through ZWMB, the Chitomborwizi Burial Society becomes instantly operational, empowering communities to serve their members with dignity from the very beginning.

4. Who Can Join? Sector Inclusion and Chapter Formation

The Chitomborwizi Burial Society is proudly inclusive and built on the principle that every organized group deserves the right to bury their members with dignity. Whether in agriculture, transport, education, mining, informal trade, manufacturing, religious groups, diaspora associations, or youth and women’s initiatives—any co-operative or organized group with at least 20 members can become a Chapter of Chitomborwizi.

✅ Eligible Groups Include:

·        Registered co-operative societies in any sector

·        Church groups, burial clubs, or community welfare organizations

·        Informal sector worker groups (vendors, kombi drivers, artisanal miners, etc.)

·        Youth and women’s empowerment clubs

·        Workplace burial societies or unions

·        Diaspora-based Zimbabwean associations or burial support clubs

·        Farmer associations, irrigation schemes, or production co-operatives

If the group has 20 or more committed members and a clear interest in creating or strengthening a burial society, it qualifies for onboarding under Chitomborwizi.

Chapter Formation Process

1.     Initial Registration
Groups visit the Chitomborwizi Page on the Co-op Pay platform and complete an expression of interest form.

2.     Verification and Qualification
Chitomborwizi reviews the group’s size, organization, and capacity to manage the society. Support is given to help unstructured groups organize.

3.     Agreement Signing and Onboarding
Once qualified, the group signs a Chapter Agreement outlining responsibilities, support mechanisms, and repayment structure for the equipment loan.

4.     Starter Kit Issued
Upon successful onboarding, the Chapter receives its Starter Kit (see Section 5) on loan from ZWMB to begin operations immediately.

5.     Training and Integration
Chapter leaders receive training in operations, digital contribution management, basic mortuary services (if desired), and community mobilization.

6.     Go Live
The Chapter is activated on the Chitomborwizi digital platform, ready to receive members and begin operations.

By allowing broad-based inclusion and providing instant infrastructure, Chitomborwizi makes it possible for any organized community—urban or rural, local or diaspora—to take charge of their funeral preparedness and participate in a national movement that is building dignity through cooperation.

5. Start-Up Support Package for New Chapters

One of the most transformative features of the Chitomborwizi Burial Society model is the Start-Up Support Package provided to every qualifying chapter. This package ensures that from day one, each chapter is fully equipped to offer reliable, dignified, and efficient burial support to its members—without having to wait years to raise resources.

This package is financed by a ZWMB loan facility and is repaid gradually through a small portion of each member’s monthly contribution. The support ensures immediate readiness while building chapter capacity and credibility in their communities.

✅ What Each Chapter Receives

1. Heavy-Duty Tent
   Large enough to accommodate mourners during services, suitable for both rural and urban burials.
2. Burnmaries (Catering Stoves)
   Industrial-quality stoves for community catering during funerals.
3. Cooking Pots and Utensils
   A complete catering set including large pots, serving spoons, knives, and other essential kitchen tools.
4. Plates, Cups, and Cutlery
   Durable and reusable tableware for meal service to guests.
5. Chairs
   Foldable or stackable chairs for use during funeral gatherings.
6. Water Tank (1,000 Litres)
   Ensures water availability during funeral preparations, especially in remote areas.
7. Solar Lighting or Alternative Power Kit
   Provides lighting and basic power to enable evening or night operations, regardless of electricity access.
8. Multi-Purpose Trailer
   Custom-built trailer to store and transport all chapter equipment easily and securely.
9. Storage Cover/Container or Tent Lockers
   A secure storage solution to keep all items safe between events.
10. Branded Regalia
    Including uniforms, bibs, or caps for chapter officials to ensure professional appearance and visibility.
11. Basic Funeral Admin Kit
    Record books, death registration forms, membership cards, and other operational materials.
12. Optional: Mortuary Preparedness Supplies
    For chapters that request it, the package may include basic body preparation tools to enable dignified care before the funeral.

📦 Why This Matters

• Professional Service: The package allows each chapter to offer dignified and reliable services from the start.
• Standardization: Ensures consistency in the quality of service across chapters nationwide and abroad.
• Community Trust: Helps chapters build trust quickly with their members through visible readiness.
• Financial Relief: Members don't have to immediately raise money to purchase expensive items—the loan structure spreads the cost over time.

This starter package makes Chitomborwizi the first structured, fully equipped burial society franchise model in Zimbabwe, enabling communities to serve with honour, compassion, and capability. It bridges the gap between intention and action—bringing burial dignity within reach of every organized group.

6. Mortuary Science Training and Regalia

The Chitomborwizi Burial Society goes beyond equipment and funeral cover—it is also committed to building skills, professionalism, and identity within each chapter. Through Mortuary Science Training and the provision of branded regalia, chapters are empowered to operate with dignity, competence, and unity.

🧪 Mortuary Science Training – Building Local Skills for Dignified Farewells

Death is a deeply emotional event, and how the deceased are handled reflects on the community’s values. Chitomborwizi, in partnership with Stone River Funeral Assurance and certified practitioners, offers basic mortuary science and funeral administration training to representatives from each chapter.

🔹 Training Covers:

·        Body care and preservation basics for chapters without immediate access to funeral homes

·        Cultural protocols and respectful handling of remains in various communities

·        Health and safety procedures when dealing with deceased persons

·        Documentation and legal processes around death certification and burial registration

·        Funeral planning and event coordination

·        Grief support and community engagement

The goal is to equip at least two members per chapter to serve as community mortuary aides, able to assist professionally and with compassion in times of loss.

This training ensures that no community is left helpless while waiting for funeral service providers, particularly in remote or marginalised areas.

👕 Branded Regalia – Identity, Dignity, and Recognition

Each Chitomborwizi chapter is issued with custom-branded regalia as part of the start-up and onboarding process. This helps build identity, professionalism, and visibility for the burial society’s team in their communities.

🧥 Regalia Items May Include:

·        Branded uniforms or bibs for operational use during funerals

·        Caps or headgear identifying chapter officials

·        Scarves or sashes for ceremonial use

·        Branded membership cards or badges

·        Optional insignia, flags, or banners for chapters wishing to host community funerals with added formality

These items contribute to a coordinated, respectful image, ensuring that funeral services led by Chitomborwizi chapters carry a sense of occasion, order, and care.

Together, Mortuary Science Training and Regalia reinforce Chitomborwizi's commitment to community empowerment, operational readiness, and dignified service—not just as a burial society, but as a growing movement of skilled, visible, and compassionate service providers across Zimbabwe and the diaspora.

💰 ZWMB Loan Facility for Chapters

Instead of requiring chapters to raise funds upfront—which can be difficult and time-consuming—ZWMB offers a low-interest, medium-term loan that covers the full cost of the Chitomborwizi Start-Up Kit. This loan is extended directly to the chapter, enabling immediate access to:

• Tents
• Chairs and catering equipment
• Water tank and solar kits
• Trailer and branding
• Regalia and training costs

🔁 Smart Repayment Structure

The beauty of this model lies in its simplicity and sustainability:

• Loan repayments are deducted automatically from a designated portion of each member’s monthly burial contribution.
• This approach ensures that no single member bears a heavy burden, and the chapter remains in good standing while steadily paying off its equipment loan.
• Repayments are structured over a period of 12–24 months, depending on chapter size and member activity.

By linking repayment to contributions, the model aligns growth with responsibility, encouraging consistent participation while avoiding default.

💡 Benefits of ZWMB-Backed Financing

• Immediate Operations: Chapters don’t wait to start—they are equipped from day one.
• Affordable Access: No upfront capital required; costs are spread fairly over time.
• Financial Discipline: Built-in repayment systems promote transparency and accountability.
• Credit History: Chapters build a formal credit profile with ZWMB, unlocking access to future financing opportunities.
• Women Empowerment: Special provisions and training support ensure that women-led chapters are encouraged and prioritized.

Through this innovative financing model, ZWMB is not just providing capital—it is investing in community dignity, infrastructure, and leadership. This approach ensures that the burial society movement evolves from informal support groups into professionally run, financially capable institutions that serve their members with pride and preparedness.

8. The Chitomborwizi Hybrid Model – “The Triple-Fund Structure”

At the heart of the Chitomborwizi Burial Society is a Hybrid Funding Model designed to balance immediate community service, financial accountability, and guaranteed funeral delivery. This innovative approach, known as the Triple-Fund Structure, ensures that every member’s contribution is used wisely—serving both the present and securing the future.

🔁 What Is the Triple-Fund Structure?

Every member’s monthly contribution is automatically split into three distinct funds, each with a specific purpose:

🛠️ 1. Equipment Fund

A portion of the contribution goes toward repayment of the Start-Up Kit loan provided by ZWMB. This fund ensures:

·        Timely repayment for tents, chairs, cooking sets, trailers, and other chapter assets

·        Proper maintenance or upgrading of equipment over time

·        Long-term asset sustainability

The Equipment Fund allows each chapter to start fully equipped without requiring upfront capital, while also promoting asset ownership through structured contributions.

🏘️ 2. Chapter Operations Fund

This is the core fund managed at chapter level. It is used to cover operational needs such as:

·        Transport logistics and coordination during funerals

·        Refreshments, emergency fuel, or top-up supplies

·        Communications, storage, and administration costs

·        Welfare support and community outreach

This fund is locally controlled by the chapter, with accountability measures in place. It keeps the burial society functional and responsive to the unique needs of its members, enabling autonomy within the larger Chitomborwizi framework.

🧾 3. Performance Assurance Fund

To ensure that every funeral is honoured—even when individual chapters are overwhelmed—part of the contribution is paid directly to Stone River Funeral Assurance (Pvt) Ltd. This fund:

·        Guarantees professional funeral services anywhere in Zimbabwe

·        Covers body collection, preservation, and burial preparation

·        Provides a safety net when chapter