Pre-Planning
When a death occurs, there are so many things to consider and decisions to make. These lists can help you navigate through them:
WHEN A DEATH OCCURS:
At Home: Should an expected death occur at a private residence; the initial contact should be to the attending doctor or nurse. From there, he/she will officially confirm the death and issue a Life Extinct Certificate or Cause of Death Certificate. Kittle Bros can then be called to begin arrangements.
At a Hospital: Contact Kittle Bros to begin arrangements.
Aged Care Facility: Notify the staff you have selected Kittle Bros; they will then notify us on your behalf. Contact Kittle Bros to begin arrangements.
UNEXPECTED OR SUDDEN DEATHS
In some cases, particularly when a death is sudden or unexpected, a doctor may not be able to issue the Cause of Death Certificate and the Coroner needs to be notified. This usually means that the Victoria Police Service will be required to attend. It does not necessarily mean the death is suspicious, it is simply a necessary procedure to be followed in order to prepare a report for the coroner to establish the cause of death. This Coronial process further applies to all unnatural deaths caused by accident, suicide, murder, or misadventure.
Understandably, this process usually takes a little longer than when a doctor simply issues a Cause of Death Certificate. We will communicate with the Police Service and the Coroner’s Office in an effort to minimise the delay.
CONTACT THESE PEOPLE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE
- Doctor
- Nursing service
- Kittle Bros to set an appointment to make further arrangements
- Relatives and friends
- Personal Representative / Executor
- Employers (the employer of the deceased and of relatives who will need time off)
- Insurance agencies (life, health, and accident)
- Religious, fraternal, civic and veteran’s organisations and unions (if applicable)
- Lawyer and Accountant
SECURE VITAL STATISTICS OF THE DECEASED
- Full legal name – other names must be identified by “Also Known As” (AKA)
- Date and place of birth
- Home address
- Father’s name and occupation
- Mother’s name and occupation, including maiden name
- Marriage details for all marriages including place, age at time of marriage, and full name of spouse(s)
- Full name and date of birth of any children
About You / Planning Questionnaire
To those I love and leave behind…
I wish to spare you as much anxiety, doubt, and confusion as possible at the time of my death, I have suggested some arrangements in advance.
This questionnaire includes vital statistics, funeral service guidelines and cemetery/crematorium requests, which are all important to share whilst assisting you to plan my service and includes more personal material for eulogies, funeral notices and other remembrances.
Please accept these arrangements in the spirit they are given: with love, hoping to give you comfort, and helping you to remember the times we shared.
Funeral Bonds vs Funeral Insurance
FUNERAL INSURANCE
Cover: Cover is immediate with exclusions. You can purchase cover today however most policies only cover accidental death in the first year. Make sure to read and question your policy details if unsure.
Payment: Insurance requires ongoing monthly payments or premiums for a fixed value of cover which is typically between $5,000 – $15,000. The money is paid to your beneficiary when you pass away to help cover funeral expenses.
Premiums: Premiums may increase with age and grow over time. They can rise steeply for people aged 50+ and can result in people cancelling their policy in a few years.
Cancelling a Policy: Some premium payments can become unaffordable over time and result in cancellation. Unfortunately, people lose the benefit of the premiums they have already paid once they have cancelled a policy.
Receiving Funds: Depending on the details of your policy, it could be paid in as little as 48 hours once completed claims paperwork is received. If there are any questions around the cause of death it may take longer, especially if your policy has any exclusions regarding the cause of death.
It is important to weigh up the benefits and issues surrounding funeral insurance when deciding if it is the right option for you.
Contact Kittle Bros today to set up Sureplan Insurance.
WHAT ARE FUNERAL BONDS?
Funeral bonds are managed investments that can help you save for funeral expenses. Funds can only be withdrawn after your death and can only be used to pay for your funeral.
FEATURES OF FUNERAL BONDS
Management: money within a funeral bond must be held in an independently managed funeral fund.
Interest: The interest of funeral bonds must be added (or re-invested) into the capital.
Access: The funds can only be accessed after your death to pay for funeral costs.
Asset Tests: Money invested in funeral bonds (up to $13,250.00) is not subject to asset or income tests for your Age Pension.
Exempt Bonds: If you have assigned the fund to a funeral director for a fully prepaid funeral service and have a contract that sets out the services that are paid in full your funeral bond will not count as an assessable asset.
Payment: You are able to contribute via lump sum or by monthly payments up until you reach the selected value of your bond. keep in mind that returns may not reflect inflation.
Funeral Arrangements
Whether you’re planning for yourself or for a loved one, the funeral service is one of the most important elements of a person’s final arrangements. With the opportunity for great personalisation the funeral service can truly reflect the uniqueness of the life it honours.
Regardless of whether you or your loved one have opted for burial or cremation; the funeral or memorial service fills an important role. it can:
- Honour, recognize and celebrate the life of the deceased
- Allow friends and family to say their last goodbyes
- Provide closure after the loss of a loved one
Allow friends to console the family of the loved one.
So, what is a funeral? In general terms, a funeral is a gathering of family and friends after the death of a love done that allows the opportunity to mourn, support each other and pay tribute to the life of the deceased. it often consists of one or more of the following components:
Funeral Service Options: A formal or informal ceremony or ritual prior to burial, a funeral service often provides a sense of closure to family and friends. Although your fait or culture may dictate some elements of a funeral service, you may want to personalize other elements of the service. At a funeral service, the casket or urn is usually present and you may choose to have the casket open or closed.
Viewings: Typically held the day before, or immediately prior to the funeral, a viewing provides a way for friends and acquaintances to pay their respects and offer condolences to your family.
Graveside Service – As its name implies, a graveside service may be held at the grave site just prior to burial of a casket or urn and usually consists of final remarks, prayers or memories. A graveside service may occur after, or in place of a traditional indoor service.
