Old Mutual Funeral Cover

I took a funeral cover in 2013 for my parents. I was paying about R300 per month for a R15 000 cover. in 2016, my father passed away and was able to claim the amount. On the 27th of February 2024, my mother unfortunately passed away and was under the impression that I would be able to claim again. On the 29th of February I went to go claim at the Umlazi uMnyandu Mall and was informed that I have R18 000 but won't be able to claim because the cover had lapsed in February. I asked them to call the head office and they said that it wouldn't help in any way. I am now devastated because I cannot contribute towards my mother's funeral.