PrePaid Funeral Plans

A pre-paid funeral allows you to choose the type and style of service you want with the funeral director of your choice.

It is a simple safe and secure way to cover future funeral costs.

Benefits

By pre-planning your funeral you choose the type and style of service you want and how much you wish to spend.

This means:

you save your family from having to make difficult decisions at an emotional time
you fix your costs at today’s prices
your family is relieved from the financial burden later on
your exact wishes are carried out
you may be able to maximise your pension entitlements as current ruling allows money paid into the Plan to be exempt from inclusion in assets tests
peace of mind for you and your family

Why You Need to Plan Ahead

Pre-planning a funeral is a very important type of financial planning. Most people don’t want to think past a time when they are healthy and enjoying life. But planning ahead for all financial possibilities ensures that our loved ones and ourselves are protected. Pre-planning a funeral is just as easy as any other financial arrangement such as life insurance. Your loved ones will be protected emotionally as well as financially and you will have peace of mind knowing that your affairs are in order.

Some of The Details You Will Need to Consider

whether burial or cremation
your preferred cemetery or crematorium
special features such as clergy/celebrant, flowers, press notices, music etc.
the wishes of your family
if you would prefer donations to a charity rather than flowers

Details of Family History

Pre-arranging a funeral also gives you the opportunity to record the necessary family history at your convenience. The details of any marriages (place, spouse, age) of the deceased, names and ages of the children, along with the names of the parents of the deceased are all required by the NSW Department of Births, Deaths and Marriages when registering a death in NSW. You can obtain a free brochure on which to record these important details from any of Olsens branches; please see our contact details.

Alternatively, you can download our Personal Information form (Word Document) to print, complete and keep with your will and personal papers.

Payment Options

The full cost is normally paid when making arrangements but the amount can also be paid by quarterly instalments over a three-year interest free period.

A pre-paid funeral is not subject to pension income or asset testing (according to current legislation).

Once you have decided on the main features of the funeral service Olsens will complete a written record of the details you have requested to ensure that your funeral will be conducted exactly in accordance with your wishes.

Olsens can guide you through each step of planning a funeral and explain the services that they offer and provide a cost for each. You can make an appointment to meet at our office or you may wish to discuss the details in the comfort of your own home, whichever you find more convenient.

Request Further Information on Prepaid Funerals
Application for Prepaid Funeral Plan

Prepaid Funeral Plans Frequently Asked Questions

Can the cost of my funeral rise?

When you pre-pay for a funeral you will be charged at today’s prices. You can then have the peace of mind of knowing that all the necessary arrangements are in place, saving your family emotional and financial burden in the future.

By pre-paying your funeral service you cannot be affected by any future price rises. Only if you change your arrangements or add to them, can some further costs possibly be incurred.

We can explain all the details to you over the phone, provide a written quote, or meet with you in our office or at your home, whichever is more convenient for you.

Who holds the money I pay?

The money you pay for your pre-paid funeral is invested with an independent entity, Funeral Plan Management Pty Ltd, and is not available to Olsens until the funeral service is completed. Funeral Plan Management can also arrange for the transfer of your plan if your original funeral director is no longer in business.

Who should I tell about the arrangements?

It is important that your family and the executor of your Will know about your pre-paid funeral contract and your choice of Olsens as a funeral director.

Will pre-paying affect my pension?

Under current Centrelink and Veterans Affairs arrangements money spent on a pre-paid funeral plan is not subject to the income and assets test or deemed earnings rules.

This benefit only applies for pre-paid funerals on the condition that the funds are not withdrawn and used for other purposes.

Please check with your pension provider if you require any clarification of these details.

What if I move?

If you move you can also choose to move your funeral plan arrangements to another funeral director. Olsens can help to ensure the new arrangements suit both you and your family.

What happens if I die while on holidays?

Olsens can take care of things – transferring from place of death into our care – however there could be additional cost. There is an option of travel protection you might like to consider. We have all the details.

Request Further Information on Prepaid Funerals
Application for Prepaid Funeral Plan