Prepaid Funerals Eternity Funeral Care can also arrange a prepaid funeral if required, As evidenced by reading through this information on funerals, there are many decisions which need to be made, and a lot of information which is required when someone dies. Arranging a prepaid funeral means most of the decisions and information is already recorded, taking both the financial and emotional burden away from family and friends at such a difficult time. Many people these days choose to prearrange or even prepay their funeral expenses. This ensures that the family knows exactly what is to happen at the time of your passing. This also relieves the family of unnecessary burden at a time which may be the saddest and lowest time of their lives. Government regulations require that all funds paid for prepaid funerals are securely invested, thus providing peace of mind that your investment is in all ways secure. Some of the main benefits to you arranging a prepaid funeral are:
If you would like to receive a free ?Personal Information Guide? (for you to record various details for the family to use later) or more information on a prepaid funeral, please contact Eternity Funeral Care and we will arrange for a consultant to guide you through the options of the preplanning process - without obligation. You can be assured that after the prepaid service, Eternity Funeral Care's thoughtful staff will always be there to offer their support and guide families to the most appropriate care for as long as is needed. Eternity Funeral Care is committed to protect your investment. The Funeral Bond is managed by a reputable and long established investment company that provides the holder with a Capital Guarantee. This means that your initial and subsequent contributions and declared annual bonuses (net of fees and taxes) are guaranteed to be paid when a claim is made. You also have the option of taking out Funeral Insurance. For more information regarding this option please click  Please note that the benefit attached to the Funeral Bond can only be paid when the life insured under the Bond dies. Withdrawals cannot be made under any circumstances from your Funeral Bond prior to death The Funeral Bond is designed for the sole purpose of meeting your future funeral expenses. The following information has been copied from the Consumer Affairs Victoria website. The contents of this web site are intended for informational purposes only. The Victorian Government shall in no event accept any liability for loss or damage suffered by any person or body due to information provided on this site or linked sites. The information on the Victorian Government web site is provided on the basis that persons accessing the web site undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. Prepaying a Funeral Arranging and paying for your funeral beforehand offers the following advantages: . your wishes are carried out and your family spared decisions at a stressful time . the price will be fixed at the agreed-on rate, and . you will have a contract to ensure agreed goods and services are supplied. Your wishes may include: . where you choose to be buried . how the ceremony will be managed . the style of casket to be used . whether you will be buried or cremated, and, . if the funeral will be in a church or funeral chapel. Once you've made your decision, inform family and friends so your wishes can be carried out at the time of death. Make sure your family and/or the executor of the will are aware of your arrangements. Prices vary between companies, so shop around and ask friends and relatives for advice. Some funeral directors offer an exclusive service, while others have cheaper alternatives. The Contract Have your legal adviser examine any contract before you sign. If it is not already included, ask for a cooling-off period of three business days from the day of signing. A business day is any day from Monday to Friday, except public holidays. Before you sign any prepaid funeral contract with a funeral company, they must give you written details of where your money will be invested. When you enter a prepaid funeral contract, the Funerals Act 2006 requires that you receive a copy of your contract, specifying: . the type of funeral service to be supplied . any goods, services and facilities to be supplied in connection with the funeral service, and . the total cost of the funeral service. Payment Pre-paying a funeral can be done in a lump sum, or by instalments over a set period. When you pay, the funeral company cannot claim any money until your funeral, and can only invest the money in certain authorised investments. You are not able to reclaim the money either; unless your contract allows for a cooling-off period and you are still within the specified time. After you have paid, and signed the contract, you should receive confirmation of the investment within 21 days of paying the funeral company. What Funeral Directors are required to do Before a consumer signs a contract, you as the funeral organiser or funeral director, must disclose in writing: . where and how their funeral money is to be invested . any terms or conditions that apply to the investment, and . any other prescribed information. The Contract The contract between you and the purchaser of the prepaid funeral must be in writing, signed and received by both parties. It must specify: . the type of funeral service to be supplied . any goods, services and facilities to be supplied in connection with the funeral service . the total cost of the funeral service . the name of the person on whose behalf the prepaid funeral money is being invested . the type of investment, and, . a statement that this type of investment complies with the act. The investment All monies paid to the funeral organiser/director must be invested, except administrative or brokerage fees and any GST payable. The Act restricts the way prepaid funeral monies can be invested to: . funeral benefit funds established under the Friendly Societies (Victoria) Code . certain policies or investment funds offered by companies registered under the Commonwealth Life Insurance Act 1945, and in Victoria . The Melbourne Chevra Kadisha . The Catholic Dioceses of Sandhurst, Sale and Ballarat Development or Provident Funds. . You must give a prepaid funeral purchaser copies of any documents relating to their investment or their payment(s) under a prepaid funeral contract. Payment You must receipt any money paid by the consumer under the prepaid funeral contract. Where payment is in cash, the money must be invested before the end of the third business day. A cheque payment must be invested before the end of seven business days. GST You do not have to invest GST payable on a prepaid funeral contract. Records Funeral organisers/directors must keep a register of all prepaid funeral contracts including: . the names of all the parties to the prepaid funeral contract . the name of each person to be provided with a funeral under the contract . the amount paid for each funeral . how the prepaid funeral money has been invested . details of the funeral service to be provided under each contract. You must retain the records of a prepaid funeral for three years after the provision of the funeral service. Although these are the essential requirements for funeral organisers/directors under the Act, a study of the complete legislation is highly recommended. Failure to comply with the Act may result in severe penalties. If you are still have questions we recommend you contact your solicitor |
Sometimes the family is left with a wish for either "all male" or "all female" attendants. Eternity can arrange this at no additional cost.
Call us and let us know how we can assist you.
We are available 24 hours per day 7 days per week for your convenience. Ph: 1300 ETERNITY (1300 383 764)
Fx: (03) 9789 1908
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