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FAQs

General Questions
A pre-paid funeral is a funeral contract purchased in advance. The type and style of funeral you want is documented in a written contract and paid for at today's prices. Subject to any specific terms of a pre-paid funeral contract (e.g. if Government taxes are subsequently imposed or increased), you won't have to pay any additional amount for that contracted funeral regardless of when the funeral is required. Payment of a pre-paid funeral is invested with an independently managed funeral fund and is only released to the funeral director once the contracted funeral service is completed.*

A funeral bond is a specialised investment which enables you to accumulate funds to meet future funeral expenses. An investment in a funeral bond is similar to a life insurance policy, whereby the benefit becomes payable on death. The benefits must be used to meet your funeral expenses. A funeral bond is an investment towards the cost of a funeral and by itself does not guarantee against rising funeral prices*.

*Source: Australian Funeral Directors Association.

Funeral insurance is not provided by FPM. 

What is it?

Funeral insurance involves making a regular set weekly, fortnightly or monthly premium payment which is determined by the policy cover chosen. 

The policy benefit is then generally paid in a lump sum to your beneficiary in the event of your death to provide a payment in respect of funeral costs. 

What to be aware of:

  • You may end up paying more in funeral insurance premiums than the actual value of your cover
  • Failure to miss one premium payment can result in the insurance being cancelled and monies paid all forfeited
  • In most instances you are unable to specify your preferred funeral director or funeral type. 

Carefully read the relevant Product Disclosure Statement to ensure you understand all of the features, what will happen if you cancel your policy and how much you really will be paying. 


Funerals can be simple or extravagant, and there are a number of items that make up the cost of a funeral service. These include the location of the service, the type of coffin or casket, and any religious requirements.

Click here for a more detailed list of things to consider.

For those who enjoy travelling or may be away from home for periods of time, the Travel Protection Plan means that transportation costs are covered if death occurs more than 70kms away from the funeral home chosen. The Travel Protection Plan is an optional feature and can be purchased as part of a funeral bond, a pre-paid funeral plan, or on its own.
More and more people are choosing to be cremated, with cremations now outnumbering burials*. Regardless of what others may choose, you need to feel comfortable with your decision. A funeral director can help guide you in making this choice.

*Source: Australian Funeral Directors Association.

When you write a Will, you must choose an Executor who is then legally responsible to carry out your wishes. You should make sure he/she is familiar with your choices and is also aware of the details of your pre-paid funeral plan contract or funeral bond.

Contact us for a free brochure in which to record your preferred funeral arrangements.

Without a valid Will, usually the next of kin will have the right to apply to act as administrator of the estate and complete the funeral arrangements on your behalf.

Bond Questions

You can invest any amount into your funeral bond. If you receive Centrelink benefits and wish this to be exempt from both assets test and deeming provisions of the income test, you cannot exceed the threshold, which is $12,750 for the 2017/18 financial year. If you do not receive benefits, this threshold does not apply.

To make a claim you must:

  1. Download the Application for Funeral Benefit Fund form in the Forms section of our website, or call us on 1800 804 731 to be sent a copy.
  2. Complete the form and attach a Certified Copy of the full Death Certificate (issued by the office of Births, Deaths & Marriages). Also attach the invoice from the Funeral Director and the Receipt of payment.
  3. Post to Funeral Plan Management to GPO BOX 89, Adelaide SA 5001, email: funeral.plans@lifeplan.com.au, or fax to 1800 812 799. 
  4. On receipt of all the correct required information, payment will be made by Funeral Plan Management within two business days.

What if I paid from my own pocket and want it reimbursed?

Funeral Plan Management will reimburse the amount on the receipt (or as much is stated in the policy) to the person requesting reimbursement, if the receipt states payment was received by a person of the same name.

What if the amount on the invoice is less than in the funds in the FuneralPlan Bond?

Funeral Plan Management will pay the amount due of the invoice to the funeral director and the difference to the Estate of the deceased.

What if the invoice is greater than the funds in the FuneralPlan Bond?

Funeral Plan Management can only pay as much as is in the Bond. For more information on this, please refer to the FuneralPlan Bond Disclosure Document. 


We can assist you in setting up a funeral bond. Click here for more information about funeral bonds, Download the Disclosure Document and Application Form, or apply online today.
Your funeral bond can be transferred to a funeral director under contract and you can pre-plan your funeral under this arrangement.

If you receive a means-tested Government benefit and don't want this to affect your payments, the total amount you contribute should not exceed the 'exempt funeral investment threshold', which is $12,750 for the 2017/18 financial year.

If you decide to enter into a pre-paid funeral contract with a funeral director, no maximum contribution applies.

With a funeral bond, you can meet the cost of your funeral service anywhere in the world.
A funeral bond is an investment owned by you. It incorporates a 'cooling off' period, during which time you can withdraw your money. Specific details about the cooling off period can be found in the Disclosure Document.
No, contributions may not be claimed as a tax deduction.

Your investment in the FuneralPlan Bond is managed by Lifeplan Australia Friendly Society. If you choose the capital guaranteed investment option, Lifeplan guarantees to pay your net contributions and declared bonuses, excluding any tax benefit, at the time the benefit is due. If you choose the Conservative or Moderate investment options, the returns may vary significantly from year to year and the benefit paid may be more or less than the contributions made.
No. A funeral bond is designed specifically to meet your future funeral expenses and cannot be withdrawn for any other purpose. You can only access your money during the cooling off period. Specific details about the cooling off period can be found in the Disclosure Document.
Yes. A FuneralPlan Bond can be held in single or joint names, however the benefit can only be used to pay for the expenses of a single funeral. Upon the death of one owner, the other owner must choose within 30 days to either continue the funeral bond, or have the benefits paid towards the funeral expenses.
Pre-Paid Questions
You can invest as much as you like into a pre-paid funeral plan and the amount you contribute is dependent on the type of service you would like. You can choose the funeral arrangements with your funeral director. For more information on the costs associated with a funeral, click here.
A pre-paid funeral is arranged through a funeral director. We can help you find a suitable funeral director in your local area, please contact us on free call 1800 804 731, or complete our online enquiry form for a list of funeral directors in your local area.
A pre-paid funeral plan allows you to choose a different funeral director. The funds invested are held independently of the funeral director in a capital guaranteed investment and will still be available to meet funeral costs.

You and your funeral director should both have a copy of your contract, which details your arrangements at a fixed price. It is important you tell your family and friends you have made these arrangements in advance.

Contact us for a free brochure in which to record your preferred funeral arrangements.
A family member or personal representative simply contacts your chosen funeral director and the arrangements, as detailed in your contract, are carried out. Once the funeral director provides evidence to us that the service has taken place, we will then pay the funeral director.

Your contract can only be transferred to another funeral director with written consent from your current funeral director. You should contact your current funeral director to discuss this change.

A pre-paid funeral plan is a legally binding contract so you need to make sure you understand the terms of agreement before you sign.

There is a 'cooling off' period and during this time you can cancel your contract and get a refund of your investment. Please refer to our Disclosure Document for specific details about the cooling off period. Funds can only be withdrawn for the purpose of meeting your funeral expenses.

Yes, but your funeral director needs to agree to the changes. Please remember if you do change your original agreement, there may be additional costs.

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Funeral Bond
Pre-paid Funeral Plan
Travel Protection Plan
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