(a) That's not right. The main pecuniary loss suffered by most dependants is the loss of financial support from the deceased's earnings. To calculate this, the courts deduct from the deceased's gross earnings the amount the deceased would have spent on their own needs.

Other adjustments are made in relation to the period of time during which family members could reasonably have expected to benefit from the deceased's earnings or services. The age of any children is among these considerations, but the High Court has held that the prospects of the widowed spouse remarrying are to be ignored.

Sometimes dependants may have relied on the deceased for various services which the deceased performed free of charge. The value of any substantial services can be claimed.