Planning is an important part of life in our culture. We plan for holidays, weddings, we plan a family, we plan all sorts of major purchases. We consider what we need, we look at the products available, and we finalise our choice.
At Parkside Funerals, we believe that it is never too early to pre-arrange your funeral. Many do this as a way to help alleviate not only the emotional, but also the financial burden on those we leave behind. It is also a great opportunity to arrange a truly individual funeral service.
By completing a Planning Ahead Booklet you can bring comfort and direction to your family and loved ones.
Please call us on 6433 4010 if you would like us to send you a free copy.
All Tasmanian funeral directors are regulated by the Prepaid Funerals Act 2004. The Act requires any money paid to a funeral business to be paid into a registered funeral benefit fund and specifies how money paid in advance for a prepaid funeral is to be managed by funeral businesses. Parkside Funerals invest pre-paid monies with KeyInvest (formerly Australian Friendly Society).
The cost of a funeral depends on the options a family chooses. Generally, costs include our Parkside Funerals service fee, cemetery/crematorium fees, coffin or casket purchase, and disbursements such as flowers, celebrant fees and newspaper notices.
When you pre-pay your funeral with Parkside, you purchase tomorrow’s funeral at today’s cost, avoiding all future price rises. Funeral Insurance Policies only cover death by accident in the first twelve months. When you first take out funeral insurance it may cost less than a cup of coffee a week, but some premiums rise and accumulate as you age. It’s important that you read the fine print and consider your options before making a commitment. We encourage people to ensure they’re making informed decisions on how to pre-finance their funeral by exploring all the options.
Anyone can take out a Pre-Paid Funeral Plan regardless of their age or state of health.
There are two ways to make payments for a Pre-Paid Funeral Plan. You can pay for your Pre-Paid Funeral Plan in a lump sum or pay by instalments. However, an initial investment of the GST component is required. The balance may be paid in regular direct debit instalments over a three year (or less) period.
Should death occur interstate, we are happy to arrange transfer of your remains to Tasmania, or alternatively, the funds and arrangements could be transferred to a funeral director in that state, who would handle the funeral arrangements. Should that situation arise, we would accept instructions from your executor or next of kin.
You can protect your family from the distress of making difficult decisions at an emotional time.
Your family will be relieved from any financial burden.
It makes good financial sense – by making all of your choices now, you can fix the price of funeral at today’s costs (subject to any specific terms of the contact)
You can ensure that your exact wishes are made known and are carried out
You may be able to maximise your pension entitlement. Any money paid into the plan is not subject to the income or assets test or deemed earnings rule (according to current legislation).