Paying for funerals

Sorry business and funeral costs.

The Youpla Group, also called the Aboriginal Community Benefit fund, went into liquidation in March 2022.

People who paid for Youpla policies on or after 1 August 2015 can get a payment from the Government's Youpla Support Program.

Beware of scams relating to the Youpla Support Program. If you are worried someone is pretending to be from the Youpla Support Program, hang up and call Services Australia on 1800 136 380.

Help paying for someone else's funeral

There is support available if someone has passed away and you need help paying for their funeral.

Some options include:

If you've lost a partner who received a Centrelink benefit, bereavement payments may be available. Contact Centrelink's Indigenous Call Centre on 1800 136 380 or visit Services Australia.
Veterans or former members of the Australian Defence Force may be able to get help with funeral costs. Contact the Department of Veterans' Affairs on 1300 55 1918 and ask to speak with an Indigenous Veterans' Liaison Officer.
If the person who passed away has superannuation they might have insurance as part of their super account. This may provide money to help pay for their funeral. Contact the super fund to find out.
If a friend or a relative pass away and they were dependant on you, you may be able to access your super early to cover the costs of their funeral. Talk to your super fund or get help from a financial counsellor.

Some organisations also provide funeral assistance programs. These are different depending on where the person lived and some are only open for members.

See some options below:

New South Wales

NSW Aboriginal Land Council	Community benefits scheme offering grants for funerals.
Wonnarua Nation Aboriginal Corporation	Grants for funeral costs for Wannarua people.
NSW Aboriginal Affairs	Funding through the Stolen Generations reparations scheme and funeral fund.
Transport NSW	Aboriginal Funeral Transport 'Sorry Business' fund can help with transport to attend funerals within NSW.

Queensland

Coroners Court of Queensland	Provides assistance for Queensland residents who can't cover funeral costs.
Port Curtis Coral Coast (PCCC) Trust	Members of the four PCCC tribes can apply for funeral assistance.
Clermont Aboriginal Community Development Fund	Wangan and Jagalingou people can apply for funeral assistance.
Torres Strait Island Regional Council	Provides grants for funeral costs and funeral travel assistance

Western Australia

WA Department of Communities	Provides funds through the bereavement assistance program.
Gumala Aboriginal Corporation	Gumala Aboriginal Corporation members, who are registered Banjima or Daisy Beneficiaries, can apply for funeral assistance through the Banjima Charitable Trust Healthy Living Project.
Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation	Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation members, who are registered Banjima or Daisy Beneficiaries, can apply for funeral assistance through the Banjima Charitable Trust Healthy Living Project.
Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation	Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation members can apply for funeral assistance by filling out the application form on the website.
Robe River Kuruma Aboriginal Corporation	Rode River Kuruma Aboriginal Corporation members can apply for funeral assistance.
Yinhawangka Aboriginal Corporation	Funeral assistance for the family of each beneficiary on the Register of Yinhawangka People and their minor children.
Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation	Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation members can apply for financial assistance through their funeral fund.
Ballardong Aboriginal Corporation	Funeral assistance for Ballardong members who have passed away.

Northern Territory

Central Land Council (CLC)	Aboriginal people in the CLC region can apply for funeral assistance.
Northern Land Council (NLC)	Aboriginal people in the NLC region can apply for funeral and ceremony assistance.
Mutitjulu Community Aboriginal Corporation	Funeral assistance for Mutitjulu people where the person passed away is of Anangu people of Mutitjulu descent.

Victoria

The Victorian Aboriginal Funeral Service (Aboriginal Advancement League)	Community based culturally strong funeral services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in Victoria.
The Stolen Generations Funeral Fund	Funding through the Victorian Stolen Generations Reparations Interim Funeral Fund.

South Australia

Funeral AssistanceSA	Financial assistance for funerals of South Australians on pensions, benefits or low incomes.
Far West Coast Aboriginal Community Charitable Trust	Far West Coast members can apply for funeral assistance.
Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara Aboriginal Corporation	Funeral assistance for Antakirinja Matu-Yankunytjatjara members.

Tasmania

Magistrates Court of Tasmania

Provides a publicly funded cremation without a service when the family cannot pay for burial or cremation.

Australian Capital Territory

ACT Revenue Office

Provides assistance for ACT residents who can't cover funeral costs.

Download Paying for a loved one's funeral
A factsheet with information about financial help if a family member has passed away.

Planning ahead for your funeral costs

Check your super fund

If you have a super fund, you might have a life insurance policy with your super. This means your super fund will pay a sum of money to your dependants when you die - a death benefit. Your dependants could use part of it to pay for your funeral.

When you pass away, money you have saved in your super is usually paid to your dependants. Some or all of this money could help pay for your funeral. Your family might have to pay for your funeral until your will is settled.

Talk to your super fund or get help from a financial counsellor.

Make sure you have a will. If you pass away and you don’t have a will, it can take a longer time for your family to access your super.

Saving for funerals

Putting money into a savings account can help your family pay for your funeral. It can also help if you have to help pay for someone else's funeral.

Open a savings account to put some money away. Keep this account separate from your everyday account. Tell someone you trust about the account and what it's for.

To make sure your family can access the money when you pass away, talk to your bank about why you want the account.

Funeral bonds

Funeral bonds are offered by friendly societies or life insurance companies. You set aside regular amounts of money or a lump sum payment for your funeral. The money is invested and will grow in value. It can only be used for your funeral and normally can't be accessed earlier.

Download How to pay for your funeral
A factsheet to help you plan for the cost of your funeral.

Prepay your funeral

Prepaid funerals allow you to choose the type of funeral you would like. You can either pay for it in full upfront or pay it off more slowly over time.

Check if you can get a refund from your prepaid funeral if you change your mind.

In some states, you must register your prepaid funeral. Your state and territory fair trading office can help you with more information about prepaid funerals.

Beware of funeral cover, plans and insurance

With funeral cover, plans and insurance, you make regular ongoing payments until you pass away. When you've passed, your family receives an amount of money to cover the cost of your funeral.

If you miss payments or cancel the policy, you might not get a refund, and you could lose all the money you paid. Read the product disclosure statement (PDS) or brochure to find out what happens if you cancel.

You may end up paying a lot more than the actual cover you will get. A savings account or a prepaid funeral might cost you less for a funeral.

Don't feel pressured into buying funeral cover, including by people who come to your house. Take your time to think carefully.

Read our tips for dealing with pushy door to door salespeople.

Avoid a funeral rip-off

How to avoid paying too much when it comes to funeral insurance and what sorts of options you have.

Get help with funeral cost decisions

Get help from a financial counsellor at Mob Strong Debt Help or talk to a financial capability worker. They can help you decide which option is best for you.