Pre-paying a Funeral : Case Studies

Tobin Brothers Funerals recently arranged a funeral for a lady who completed a Fixed Price Funeral Plan with us in the 1980s. Her Fixed Price Funeral was paid off over a 3 year period and then forgotten about until her son found it when searching for Power of Attorney documents.

We believe that she decided to take out the Funeral Plan Contract when she was widowed in her 60s to make life easier for her children when her time came. Our client’s children were pleased to find that funeral arrangements had been documented, giving them a clear indication of their mother’s wishes. Their Mother’s pre-payment of the Funeral also relieved them of any anxiety over accessing funds and payment of the funeral costs.

We at Tobin Brothers Funerals see time and time again, the benefits to families when their loved one has pre-arranged a funeral with a Fixed Price Funeral Plan.

It is important to note that Funeral Insurance is not the same as a Fixed Price Funeral Plan, and we urge our readers to be wary.

We are caring for increasing numbers of clients who have paid monies into Funeral Insurance funds in good faith, only to find that due to missed payments when they have been ill or in hospital, they are not eligible for any reimbursement. This sets them back to square one with their funeral arrangement and costs that sometimes involve a loss of thousands of dollars. Funeral Insurance paid over a long period of time may also mean that the person will pay far more in insurance premiums than their funeral will actually cost.

With a pre-paid, Fixed Price Funeral Plan with Tobin Brothers Funerals, the cost is set; once it is paid it is paid, and you will avoid this all too common pitfall associated with Funeral Insurance offered by other companies.

Our staff are trained and able to assist with questions about pre-payment of funerals.

Helpful independent advice can be obtained from “Money Smart” an ASIC initiative.

https://www.moneysmart.gov.au/media/131954/paying-for-funerals.pdf

More information about our Fixed Price Funeral Plans is available online:

http://www.tobinbrothers.com.au/Fixed-Price-Funeral-Plans/fixed-price-funeral-plans.html

Written by James MacLeod - Managing Director, Tobin Brothers Funerals