Frequently Asked Questions

Funeral Arrangements

Funeral Pre-Arrangement and Pre-Payment

What Do I Have To Do When A Loved One Dies?
When a death occurs, it must be determined that, in fact, life is absent from the body, so the first person to contact will be your doctor. By law, a certificate to certify the cause of death must be signed by a doctor or coroner.

For instance, when a death occurs at home or in a private hospital, the family doctor, providing he has treated the person during the previous three months, will normally be able to issue the Death Certificate. Alternatively, when a person dies in a public hospital, it is normal for the attending doctor at the hospital to sign the Certificate. Sometimes the hospital will want to perform an autopsy, if the next of kin agrees.

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How Do I Arrange A Funeral?
A Funeral arrangement takes little time to complete depending on your specific needs. These arrangements can be completed in the privacy of you own home or our office. Our staff at Premier Funerals take time to meet with you, and under no obligation will discuss the arrangements and costings involved to meet your requirements, to advise you of the quality of service we provide and of any benefits you may be entitled to receive from government funded organisations.

Funeral costs relate specifically to your own personal requirements.

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Choosing The Type Of Funeral Service?
There are many alternatives to consider when choosing the funeral service. We have included the most frequent services we are asked to arrange, however you are not restricted to these options. If you have any other suggestions, please feel free to discuss them with us.

Types of funeral services:

  • A service and committal in a church or a chapel.
  • A service held in a church followed by a procession to a cemetery.
  • A service and a committal at a crematorium chapel.
  • A service and committal at a graveside.
  • A public or private service.
  • A service at an alternative location. For example, a park, a beach, private gardens, or even at your home.

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How Much Does A Funeral Cost?
The cost of the funeral is another matter which must be determined and decided upon by the family or next of kin. Tastes and preferences vary, as do financial circumstances, but, in general, the cost depends upon the extent of the services provided by the funeral director and upon the quality of merchandise selected by the family.

There are three main components in the cost of a funeral. These are:

  • Cost of the Casket
    Like all reputable funeral directors, we offer a large and varied selection of caskets so that we can meet the needs of all - from simple veneered particle board to solid or carved timber. Prices vary according to quality of materials, design and construction. The choice of how much or how little is spent on the casket is entirely the decision of the family member or the person acting for them. That person or persons are encouraged to take their time in this choice in accordance with what they feel is appropriate to their taste and economic circumstances.
  • Disbursements
    Disbursements represent any payment made on behalf of the family - always with the family's consent - for such items as flowers, church fees, medical fees for the issuing of cremation certificates, newspaper notices, purchase of the cemetery plot.
  • The Funeral Director's Charges or Service Fee

    • The Service Fee is designed to cover all the overhead costs in the same way as any other business. These overhead costs relate to such items as: the use of facilities, supplying hearse, liaising with clergy, cemeteries or crematoria, newspapers, florists, etc, the funeral director's availability at any time of the day or night, providing trained personnel, salaries and wages, administration costs etc.

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Should There Be A Viewing?
Viewing the deceased is an option that is very much the choice of the individual. This part of the funeral, whilst often painful, can be a very helpful element in the grieving process. It can help the bereaved to face the reality of the death, particularly if the death was sudden or unexpected. It also helps the process of reminiscing and separating from the deceased.

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Why Pre-Pay Funeral/Cremation?
To ensure that your wishes are carried out.

To relieve those you leave behind of an added expense and concern at a time they are least able to deal with it.

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How Much Does A Funeral Cost?
The cost varies depending on the type of coffin you require, how much advertising, flowers, whether you have a celebrant or a minister of religion, whether you have a burial or cremation.

You are free to choose your exact requirements which will be listed on your certificate and supplied at any time in the future at no additional cost.

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What Happens To The Money I Pay?
The money you pay is placed into a Funeral Benefit Business Trust Fund Account and maintained in accordance with the Funeral Benefit Business Act.

The money may not be removed from there except in accordance with the Funeral Benefit Act.

The Trust Fund is audited on an annual basis and an annual report with a list of names of all those who have contributed to the fund and the amounts they have credited to their names is submitted to the Registrar

Interest is earned by the fund, and tax is paid by the fund. The interest, after tax is paid, is distributed to each 'Member's' Account

The interest will not affect pension entitlements in any way because money paid into the trust is not subject to income or assets test or the deemed earnings rules under current legislation.

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What If I Die Somewhere Else?
In this event there are two options:

  1. Arrange for the removal of the deceased back to the Sunshine Coast/South East Queensland for cremation or burial arrangements. There will probably be an extra cost incurred for transport arrangements depending on the distance involved.
  2. Arrange to have the burial/cremation at the place where the death takes place and request a refund from the Funeral Benefit Business Trust Fund Account.

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How Much Of My Money Will I Get Back?
If you die and have funeral arrangements made elsewhere by another Funeral Director, The Funeral Benefit Business Trust Fund will refund your estate 90% of all monies paid in your name, plus any interest accrued during the time the money was held in Trust.

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What If I Decide To Leave The Area?
You have three options:

  1. Retain your fund membership and make arrangements for transport back to the Sunshine Coast/ South East Queensland for the funeral/cremation.
  2. Transfer your entitlement to another member of your family who is remaining in this area.
  3. Request a surrender of your entitlement. In this event, the same rule applies as for when the funeral is arranged by another funeral director, i.e. 90% of all monies held in your name plus any accrued interest.

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Are All Funeral Benefit Plans The Same?
No. Some operate under other State's Legislation.

Some Funeral plan managers are reluctant to reveal what funds if any are available.

Some Funeral Plans prefer you to transfer your arrangements to another person rather than cancel.

Some Funeral Plans impose a penalty for cancellation.

Some Funeral Plans charge excessive management fees just to keep your money in their hands.

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Is My Money Safe If Your Company Was Bankrupt And Ceased To Exist?
Yes. In this most unlikely event, every individual would have their estate monies returned plus interest. The money put into the Trust Fund, does not belong to anyone, other than those who have contributed to it.

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