Ways to pay for a funeral and avoid a Pauper's funeral.

If a deceased person’s estate can’t cover their funeral costs and the family are unable to contribute, this is what’s known as a ‘pauper’s funeral’.

In this article we'll provide guidance on where you may be able to find financial assistance to cover these costs.

Centrelink lump sum bereavement payment and other benefits

Australian citizens dealing with the loss of a partner may be eligible for Centrelink bereavement payments and other government assistance. A Centrelink lump-sum payment can also help with funeral costs.

The Australian federal government provides a number of payments, financial support, and other services to help when a loved one dies. These are administered through The Department of Human Services. The type and amount of bereavement payment you get will depend on your individual circumstances; your relationship to the person who has died; and when you notify Centrelink about the person’s death.

This can be done by calling Centrelink on 132 300 or filling out the Services Australia Advice of Death form available here. Centrelink will then share the information with Medicare.

Australian residents are eligible for the following Centrelink bereavement payments:

  • Partner Allowance – If you currently receive a Partner Allowance and your spouse dies, you may be eligible to receive a further 14 weeks of their pension. However, you will need to contact Centrelink and apply for another income support payment. You may also be eligible to receive a Centrelink lump sum bereavement payment (explained below).
  • Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment – A lump sum payment may be available to the surviving partner of a Pension Bonus Scheme member who didn’t successfully claim the Age Pension and Pension Bonus before they died.
  • Carer’s Allowance – If you were providing additional daily care for someone who has died, you may be entitled to a further 14 weeks of pension following their death, in a lump sum.
  • Double Orphan Pension – provides help with the costs of caring for children who are orphans or who are unable to be cared for by their parents in certain circumstances. There is no income or assets test required.
  • Stillborn Baby Payment in the case of a stillbirth. Or call the Bereavement Line on 132 850 between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday for further assistance.

Please Note: Centrelink entitlements can change without notice, so you should contact your nearest Centrelink office for further information on 132 300.

Department of Veterans’ Affairs

If your loved one was an ex-serviceman or woman who died in impoverished circumstances, Australia’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs can offer financial assistance towards the funeral costs.

If you think you may be eligible, you must notify the DVA as soon as possible after the death by going to the DVA website or calling 1800 555 254.

If you are the spouse, dependant or carer of a deceased person who was receiving a pension from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs you may be eligible for a bereavement payment. Typically, the benefit is a one-off payment of up to $2,000. In addition to funeral benefits for veterans, the DVA may also be able to assist with pensions for war widowed partners and other payments.

Early release of your Super

You generally can’t get your super before you reach your preservation age. However, in some circumstances, the law does allow you to access your super early. These limited circumstances include specified compassionate grounds and severe financial hardship. Paying for a funeral can be a time funds can be withdrawn if you meet certain criteria. Before considering this option, you should consult a financial planner for specific advice on your personal or financial situation.

For more information about early release of superannuation due to severe financial hardship, contact your super fund. Alternatively, there are organisations that assist you in these claims. Supercare is one such example.

State-based government funeral assistance

Some states in Australia provide government assistance when there is no money to pay for the funeral. Families will need to meet strict criteria in being unable to pay funeral costs. Please contact each state body for specific requirements for each scheme.

Funeral assistance Victoria

Not-for-profit funeral charity Bereavement Assistance provides dignified funeral services for low-income Victorians who have limited or no funds, where the alternative is a pauper’s funeral at state expense.

Funeral assistance Queensland

In Queensland, if you are unable to pay for a funeral, you may be able to get funeral assistance by applying to the Queensland Magistrates Court or the Coroners Court of Queensland. To be eligible you must have confirmed that no other family members are able to pay for the funeral.

Funeral assistance NSW

NSW offers destitute funerals to those who are unable to pay for the cost of a funeral, and whose friends and relatives are also unable to help with the funeral costs. The service will be a basic cremation unless a burial is requested by the deceased’s next of kin. This is administered by NSW Health.

Funeral assistance South Australia

South Australian residents who are not able to pay the costs for a funeral and have exhausted all other options may be eligible to arrange a funeral through FuneralAssistance SA.

Funeral assistance Western Australia

The Bereavement Assistance Program provides assistance to people who are unable to pay for the cost of a funeral. Applicants must also show that the family is not able to meet the costs.

Funeral assistance Tasmania

In Tasmania, the Department of Health and Human Services manages a publicly funded direct cremation. The Essential Care Funeral Policy can arrange for the funeral and cover costs for a person whose estate and relatives are unable to pay for one.

Funeral assistance Northern Territory

In the Northern Territory, an application for a funeral service can be made to the Indigent Persons Funeral Scheme. If the estate can’t pay for funeral costs and the family are unable to contribute, the Public Trustee can apply to the Coroner’s Office for financial assistance under the Scheme.

An Indigenous funeral benefit also exists. Both the Northern Land Council and the Central Land Council have schemes to help with the funeral costs of an Aboriginal person who meets their criteria.

GoFundMe and other crowdfunding to cover funeral costs

This option may seem a little out of the box, but crowdfunding is used for so many different causes these days. There are always generous people out there willing to give a helping hand if asked. A crowdfunding request can be set up online to help with funeral costs for pensioners through websites like My Cause and Go Fund Me.

Remember, it’s important to not feel pressured into paying for an expensive funeral service that you cannot afford. Light Cremations was set up to make basic funeral arrangements affordable for Australian families. We do not believe this is a time you should be adding greater financial stress to your life.

For emotional support after the loss of a loved one you, can contact the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement on 1800 642 066, or consult your GP. For more immediate help call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

If you have any questions or concerns, call us on 0489 988 664.