Taking care of business (A4) (PDF) - Seniors Information Service

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Funeral fundsWe’ve seen so many people in our community pass away where the family foundit hard to find the money to pay for the funeral.At the community consultations with Aboriginal people in NSW, many peoplesaid that paying into a funeral fund was a way they could plan to relieve their familyof the financial burden of their passing.There are a number of ways to make advance payments towards the cost ofyour funeral:• You can make small regular payments to a funeral fund. Contributions tosome funds go towards payment for a funeral service with a particularfuneral director. Others provide a cash benefit which can be used to paythe funeral director you choose.• You can have a pre-paid funeral. You select a funeral director, make decisionsabout the type of funeral you would like and then pay for that funeral at today’sprices, usually in a lump sum or a few large instalments.The Office of Fair Trading regulates these funds. You can phone them on 1800 502042 for a list of registered funds.Did you know?Some airlines provide a compassionate airfare for passengers flying to attend afuneral. They may have special conditions such as needing to see a letter from afuneral director or doctor.Taking Care of Business10
Simon and his familySimon is 32 and recently married. He recently lost his mother tocancer. When his mother passed away it was a huge financial strainon the family. None of his brothers or sisters had much money toput towards the funeral and his dad and mum had used up mostof their savings when they had to travel to the city for his mother’streatments. Simon and his wife Laura had a little bit of money savedbut not enough to cover the whole funeral. So Simon’s dad endedup having to take out a small loan to cover the rest of the funeralexpenses which the whole family are helping to pay off.A few weeks after the funeral a close friend of Simon’s, who knewhow expensive the funeral had been and the strain it had put onthe entire family, suggested that they look into a funeral fund forthemselves and other members of the family.Simon and Laura thought it was a fantastic idea. They had seen anad on TV and they had heard that a local Aboriginal organisationoffered a fund. They looked into both and chose the one that suitedthem. They also encouraged other family members to join. Simon’sdad was one of the first to sign up.Simon and Laura now have peace of mind. If anything were tohappen to them they will not put a financial strain on the rest of thefamily. Their funerals will be taken care of and people can grieveinstead of having to worry about money.Planning Ahead in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities11
Page 1: Taking Care of BusinessPlanning Ahe
Page 4 and 5: This booklet is part of a kit devel
Page 7 and 8: IntroductionThis booklet provides i
Page 9 and 10: • Participants in the consultatio
Page 11: Where should I keep my will?You sho
Page 15 and 16: How do I appoint an enduring guardi
Page 17 and 18: LeanneLeanne is 35 years old and ha
Page 19 and 20: What else you need to know about po
Page 21 and 22: Dealing with CentrelinkIt is possib
Page 23 and 24: Legal advice is free and available
Page 25 and 26: Community legal centresAlbury Wodon
Page 27 and 28: Material compiled by: RPR Consultin

Taking care of business (A4) (PDF) - Seniors Information Service

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