Resources

Financial assistance

Financial assistance for funeral expenses may be available from:

  • Centrelink's Bereavement Payment is a short-term payment for surviving relatives of people receiving various Centrelink benefits, including a pension or carer's payment and long-term recipients of unemployment and other benefits, which can be put towards funeral costs. The Bereavement Allowance and Widow Allowance may also apply to your situation. Phone Centrelink on 13 23 00 to find out about the eligibility criteria for the various benefits.

  • Commonwealth Department of Veterans' Affairs, if returned service personnel - they may also be entitled to an official war grave.

  • Health funds - certain funds only

  • Trade unions, pensioners' associations and various other clubs
  • State and Territory  governments - if the deceased has no money in their estate and no relatives or friends willing or able to pay for a funeral.

Websites

There are many websites which give extensive information on many aspects of funerals. This site links to many of these websites but there are many more. If you find a good website that isn't linked from here, please let us know. A few useful links are

* Centrelink Needing help after someone has died?

* Smart Traveller What to do if someone dies overseas

* Department of Veteran Affairs Claim for Funeral Benefits and Funeral Benefits  

Books

Books that have been brought to our attention are:

  • Funerals Without God by Jane Willson 2006; published by the British Humanists; ISBN 0.901825.14X

  • Changing Ways of Death in 20th Century Australia: War, Medicine and the Funeral Business by Pat Jalland; published by UNSW Press

  • Funeral Rights by Bob Larkins

Podcasts on ABC radio

What other resources are you aware of ? Please tell us.