Spouse Funeral benefit NOT PAID OUT

I paid lobola in 2013 and when my spouse passed in June 2023 Sanlam Funeral Claims rejected my claim by saying I was not married to my spouse. The reason according to them I was not staying with my spouse. I have explained to them numerous times that the reason we couldn't stay together recently was because of moving and staying in different places as it affected kids schooling. Despite the fact that she will come every weekend, I rejected bond debit orders to help facilitate the funeral only to be rejected by Sanlam. My kids and I are already battling financially since I now have to support them alone plus the debt in incurred. All families confirmed that we were married and we had a braai after the negotiations as we were living together but still they have decency to say: The complainant and the deceased were not legally married. They were not party to a customary union according to tribal customs or South African customary law. Only part lobola was paid and no traditional ceremony took place. The deceased was not handed over to the complainant’s family [but we were already staying together that time at a rented place] So how way they going to hand her over? I am still not satisfied with their response and feel they looking for a loop hole so they don't honor part of their deal. If I was the one who died there wouldn't even be investigations, confirmation by parent would have been enough. But because being a man nothing comes without a fight!

I need to thoroughly investigated and a pay out be made.