MANY people are thinking about their own funeral while they still have a lot of living to do.
We all know how important it is to have an up-to-date will. Likewise, it is also important to leave funeral instructions so that family and friends can follow your personal wishes.
Pre-paid funerals have grown in popularity and availability in recent years. Several Australian States have recently enacted legislation to protect the consumer and ensure transparency in the funeral plan process.
The WA Government recently announced a review of pre-paid funerals to ensure such protections here, recommending a code of practice that includes:
n Information in the contract on late or missed payments by the consumer;
n Investment of monies in an approved fund or trust and written advice from the funeral director to the client on such investments;
n A cooling-off period;
n Obligations of a funeral provider if that business ceases trading; and
n Refund of monies paid.
The review found local funeral directors were held in high regard, with very few complaints made by the public. Reputable and long-standing funeral companies welcome any measure that protects consumers.
As members of the Australian Funeral Directors’ Association, we are bound by a code of practice that strictly governs how we deal with families seeking a pre-paid funeral.
Such a plan is a popular, cost-effective way of ensuring a person’s wishes are recorded, and that families are saved from financial hardship.