Two women in South Africa have been filmed carrying a large bag, apparently containing a corpse, out of a branch of well-known insurance company Old Mutual.

In a video clip, that has been widely shared on social media, the women can be seen struggling with a large blue body bag before loading it into the back of a car.

Family bring their dead family member after @OldMutualSA refused to pay their policy benefit.#oldmutual #powerfm#aldrin pic.twitter.com/OGBk8tmfCY
— Man's Not Barry Roux (@AdvBarryRoux__) November 20, 2019

It has been alleged that Old Mutual refused to pay funeral costs unless the family provided proof of death, Eyewitness News reports.

In response to complaints on Twitter about the incident, Old Mutual said that the claim was paid, describing the incident as "unsettling":

[EXPOSE OLD MUTUAL] Family bring their dead family member after @OldMutualSA refused to pay their policy benefit. Old Mutual’s arrogance is stinking now. What a shame! May the soul of the poor person Rest In Peace. Plz Retweet. pic.twitter.com/Gk2QFQWkoM
— White Man Confession (@ConfessionWhite) November 19, 2019

In a further tweet it added that what happened at one of its branches in KwaZulu Natal province "whilst isolated [was] regrettable".

The National Funeral Practitioners Association of South Africa said it was supporting the family, Eyewitness news reports.

Muzi Hlengwa, from the association, said the insurance company may have to pay more money.

"All the rituals that were conducted to move the body from one place to another were not done," he is quoted as saying.

"The soul of that man is still left at Old Mutual, so they will have to cover the costs of performing these rituals."