News
Plan funerals in advance: save money
18 April 2017
Planning your own funeral now could save your family thousands, locking in costs at today’s prices
Changes to the pension assets test
25 November 2016
Changes to the pension assets test that take place from 1 January 2017 will benefit some people receiving government pensions, as well as giving some Australians access to a pension not previously available.
Families encouraged to talk about funeral plans before it's too late
10 August 2016
Almost three years after her mother's sudden death, Diana Eiszele still wishes she could visit a grave site at a rock-garden cemetery with a stream running through, by Bina Brown.
Source: theage.com.au
Funeral Bond Centrelink Exemptions
1 July 2016
Did you know that investing in a funeral bond may lower your total assessable assets and may increase your Age Pension from Centrelink?
The Funeral Bond Allowable Limit is indexed in line with CPU pension increases every 1st July. For the 2016-17 financial year, the threshold has been increased to $12,500. This means if you invest up the threshold, your funeral bond is exempt from the assets and means income test. You can still invest more into your funeral bond than the threshold, however you will need to advise Centrelink.
For more information about Centrelink exemptions, visit humanservices.gov.au or speak to your financial adviser today.
An unusual dinner party where one of the great conversation taboos is discussed
26 May 2016
Lateline invites you to a dinner party with a difference where the subject of death is pondered by some famous Australians who reveal where they want to spend their final moments.
Source: abc.net.au/lateline
Palliative care transforming lives of those with life-limiting illnesses
22 May 2016
Perth woman Cait Calcutt had a limited understanding of palliative care until the day she reached out to a service which transformed her family's life.
Source: abc.net.au./news
What really matters at the end of life
11 April 2016
At the end of our lives, what do we most wish for? For many, it’s simply comfort, respect, love. BJ Miller is a palliative care physician at Zen Hospice Project who thinks deeply about how to create a dignified, graceful end of life for his patients. Take the time to savor this moving talk, which asks big questions about how we think on death and honor life.
Source: www.ted.com/talks
Why are funeral rites important?
29 March 2016
Recently, a friend’s mother died at the tender age of 51, after a two-year struggle with cancer. Her 21-year-old daughter, Sarah, sobbed as she told me the story of her ordeal. My heart broke for her. She is so young to lose her mother. I asked her when the funeral was planned so that I could attend. She explained to me that her mother’s ashes would be spread sometime later this year, but there would be no funeral or memorial service. By Dr. Paul Schoenfeld.
When Death Doesn’t Mean Goodbye
21 March 2016
In a remote corner of Indonesia, the departed—and their corpses—remain a part of the family.
Source: http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine
What funeral directors wish they could tell families about planning a funeral
15 March 2016
As funeral professionals, we know that planning a funeral can feel like one of the most confusing, stressful and overwhelming tasks that your families will ever take on. And if that funeral was for someone that they were extremely close to, or for someone who passed suddenly, that’s a whole new challenge that can leave families truly overwhelmed and wondering where they can go to for help.
Source: http://connectingdirectors.com/articles/46494-what-funeral-directors-wish-they-could-tell-families-about-planning-a-funeral
Why you should have a Will in place
1 March 2016
In the last few years there has been an increase in the number of legal disputes around division of assets and funeral arrangements, primarily as a result of people dying without a Will in place.
One in two Australians don’t have a Will* and, as a result, when they die there is no way for their loved ones to know what their wishes may have been regarding their belongings or their funeral.
Which are the best countries in the world to grow old in?
23 February 2016
Pensions and healthcare benefits vary widely across the globe as do people’s perception of their happiness.
Source: theguardian.com/society
Artificial reef balls containing people's ashes lowered into the sea off WA coast
15 February 2016
Australia's first artificial reef ball that incorporates cremated remains has been dropped into the ocean off a Mid West town in Western Australia.
Source: abc.net.au/news
Who has the final say over your dead body?
9 February 2016
You might have an idea of what you'd like to happen to your body after you die, but the instructions you leave won't be legally binding. The Law Report learns why that can be a huge problem, particularly for Indigenous Australians, and why the law is under review.
Source: http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/lawreport
8 interesting ways to spread a loved one’s ashes
18 January 2016
After cremation, your love one’s ashes need not stay in a final resting place such as an urn. Take the ashes on a journey, be it an intimate final send-off or one that is literally out of this world. Ashes can also be turned into beautiful works of art, or even a living memorial.
I am an Executor, now what?
4 January 2016
Are you serving as a newly appointed executor (also known as a "personal representative") over the estate of a deceased family member or friend?
If yes, then there are a lot of things you must do in that role. And, just as important, there are a lot of the things you better not do. This important topic was taken up in a recent Philly.com article titled “Five Things an Executor Should Do Right Away.” The article offers five practical pointers to help you accomplish the mission and steer clear of trouble.
Source: http://wealthmanagement.com/ August 2015
Cremation: ‘Do you need a coffin?’ and other questions answered
14 December 2015
Cremation is becoming a more popular funeral option in recent years. In urban cities, more than 65% choose to be cremated and the number is growing. Brian Hutchison, from Hastings District Funeral & Cremation Service, Port Macquarie says about 80% of his business is from cremation today.
The difference between funeral insurance and funeral bonds
2 December 2015
Funeral insurance is advertised quite heavily, especially on day time TV, and if you are thinking about pre-planning your funeral, it may seem this is the only option available to you. The market actually has two main products to choose from – funeral insurance and funeral bonds.
Centrelink exemptions when you pre-pay your funeral
24 November 2015
There are many reasons to pay for your funeral in advance including locking in your wishes at today’s prices (for a pre-paid funeral) and easing the financial and emotional burden on your friends and family at a difficult time.
Read more>>
Will you or Will you not?
19 November 2015
Many people underestimate the importance of a legal Will. You should make a Will even if you think you have little to leave behind. Without a Will, your estate will be distributed using a fixed formula determined by the government, and it may not be how you would have chosen to divide your assets.
Planning ahead: your final resting place
9 November 2015
Today, most cemeteries and crematoria provide a wide range of options to suit every religious belief or cultural background.
Many quickly cancel funeral insurance
30 October 2015
The corporate regulator says insurers should provide an upfront estimate for consumers about the total cost of funeral insurance.
Read more>>
Source: sbs.com.au, 29 October 2015
Warning about funeral dead ends
28 October 2015
The Acting Consumer Protection Commissioner, Gary Newcombe has warned people buying funeral insurance to make sure they know what they are getting themselves into.
Source: psnews.com.au, editions number 302, updated Tuesday, 27 October 2015
After the funeral - dealing with grief
26 October 2015
Grief is a natural reaction to when you lose a loved one. Discover its different stages, how to deal with loss, and how to help someone experiencing grief.
