Funeral Preplanning Options

Transcription

1 MH O ROURKE FUERAL SERVICES 1800 FUERAL ( ) 113 Crawford Street Queanbeyan SW 2620 P: (02) E: webmail@orourkefunerals.com.au Funeral Preplanning Options A GUIDE TO THE OPTIOS AVAILABLE FOR PREPLAIG A FUERAL Braidwood, Cooma and surrounding areas. Copyright 2013 Zaly Ptd Ltd

2 Table of Contents Introduction Introduction Why PrePlan. 1 Prearranged Funeral. 2-7 PrePaid Funeral Funeral Bonds Funeral Insurance Every life is unique and the way people respond to the loss of a loved one is unique too. They experience a range of feelings from sadness to shock, from disbelief to despair. Since the 1890 s, M.H O Rourke s have been caring for people and organising funerals to meet their individual needs and circumstances. We offer support at the time of impending death, up to and during the funeral and afterwards. We also offer support and advice to those wishing to preplan their funeral. This brochure, Funeral Preplanning Options has been prepared to assist families to understand the various preplanning options and empower them to make an informed choice that best suits their needs. This brochure also outlines the advantages and disadvantages of each option that should be considered. It seems that while people talk about Estate planning and the need for a Will, few will discuss funeral planning which is a natural progression from Estate Planning. This brochure also guides families in the process of preplanning a funeral either with or without consulting one of our representatives. If after reading this brochure you have further questions then please contact us by referring to the back cover of this brochure. All numbers listed are answered by staff 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. Funeral Director omination Comparison Chart. 20

3 Why Preplan? Individual reasons for Preplanning a funeral will vary from family to family. Some of the main reasons we have heard over the years are as follows: I want my personal wishes to be recorded and known to my family I do not want my family burdened with difficult decisions at a very difficult time. I do not want my children burdened with the need to find funds for my funeral when the time comes. My family live many hours drive away and none live locally. I want the assurance that I have arranged everything so that all they need to do is ring the funeral director and the funeral director will arrange things accordingly. I have no immediate family. I want to ensure that my executor is aware of my wishes. I have recently been diagnosed with a terminal condition. I want to ensure all my wishes are noted and to help my family focus on the now, not the then. I have been advised by my financial advisor that I may be entitled to increased pension benefits by taking out a prepaid funeral policy. My family members are estranged. I need to plan my funeral and make my wishes known because I cannot rely on those who need to arrange the funeral at the time. I want to pay for the funeral at today s prices knowing that the price of my funeral is fixed. I have placed my parent in the care of a nursing home. They advised that I should make funeral arrangements as they are unable to keep her body for any length of time when the death occurs. I spend some time overseas on business and vacation each year. I want to ensure my parents have plans in place if I am unable to return quickly. The options 1 Prearranged Funerals Prepaid Funerals Funeral Bonds Funeral Insurance Funeral Director omination Prearranged Funeral A funeral arranged beforehand without payment.

4 Prearranged Funeral ITRODUCTIO A prearranged funeral enables your wishes to be recorded and contained within your personal files or kept on file at M.H O Rourke Funerals for when our services are required. The prearranged funeral concept enables any member of the public to arrange their funeral at no initial upfront cost. The funeral is paid for at the time it is required and importantly there is no obligation, no commitment, nothing that is required to be signed and no payment required. Benefits our wishes are recorded and can be made known to your family o payment is required until the funeral is required o commitment and no obligation on the family o paperwork requires signing A prearranged funeral certificate will be supplied for you to supply to your family members When the death occurs one phone call from family is all that is required to commence proceedings as per your wishes This funeral can be arranged by yourself or with the assistance of one of our staff who can meet with you in our office or in the comfort of your own home. o matter your financial circumstances, this option is available to you now. Disadvantages As there is no signed contract, family can opt to ignore your wishes or use another funeral director The funeral will be required to be paid at the prevailing costs when required Family members will have to source funds to pay for the funeral Possible increased pension benefits cannot be realised (please seek independent financial advice) I feel this option is the most appropriate for my needs at this moment. I want to prearrange my funeral. There are two very simple options: 1. Call if you would like to meet one of our staff to assist you. The meeting can be arranged in our office or your home. 2. Prearrange your own funeral using the following form. On completing the form please mail it to us and we will respond by supplying you with a Prearranged Funeral Certificate for you to keep with your personal papers. We can also arrange for more copies so that you can provide family members with copies, provide a nursing home, solicitor, executor, etc. Personal Information Required To Complete Prearranged funeral information for: Date Completed: Step 1: Information required for the registration of death Full name of recipient: Current address: Mailing Address: (if diff to above) Phone umber: Mobile: Date of Birth: Birth Place: Occupation: Pension type: Aged Veterans Invalid Self funded other Previous Marital Status (if appl.) Marriage Date: (if appl.) Marriage Place:( if appl.) Person to whom married: (if appl.) Current Marital Status: Marriage Date: Marriage Place: Person to whom married: ames of Children: Gender: Date of Birth of child: ames of Children: Gender: Date of Birth of child: ames of Children: Gender: Date of Birth of child: ames of Children: Gender: Date of Birth of child: Recipients fathers name: Recipients mothers maiden name: Executor of Estate/ext of Kin: Executor/ext of Kin Address: Executor /ext of Kin phone: 3 4

5 Personal Information Required To Complete Step 2 : our funeral wishes Cremation (if applicable): I want to be cremated at My ashes are to be interred I have purchased the interment site / I have not purchased the interment site The site number is located at I want an unattended service I want the service to take place only at the crematorium attended by mourners I want a service at attended by mourners prior to going to the crematorium also attended by mourners I want a service at attended by mourners prior to going to the crematorium with O attendance by mourners. Other Burial (if applicable): OR I want to be buried at My body is to be interred I have purchased the burial site / I have not purchased the burial site The site number is located at I want an unattended service I want the service to take place at the graveside attended by mourners I want a service at attended by mourners prior to going to the cemetery also attended by mourners I want a service at attended by mourners prior to going to the cemetery with O attendance by mourners Other Personal Information Required To Complete Coffin Selection To select your coffin, please go to: Selection Please ote: if the chosen coffin is unavailable when the funeral is required then a substitute matching colour, material and fittings can be supplied Floral Selection (please circle) Choose your size of Flowers: please go to: half coffin length / three quarter coffin length / full coffin length / no flowers Types of Flowers to be included: Public otifications (please circle) I want a newspaper notice in SMH Telegraph TWT Other Music I want played at the service: Officiants Present I want a protestant minister to conduct my service : Denomination I want a priest to conduct my service: Religion ie. Catholic / Hindu / I want a celebrant to conduct my service I want a family member or friend RSL service requirements (if a returned serviceman) I am an RSL member from Sub-branch and want them to Attend / ot attend I require an Australian Flag / avy Flag / Airforce Flag / Other I require a medal cushion for my medals I require Last Post and Revelle playing 5 6

6 Personal Information Required To Complete Step 3: Request Prearranged funeral certificates for family, nursing homes, executor, etc. Prepaid funeral A funeral arranged and paid for beforehand. I request x Prearranged funeral certificates Step 4: Return this form to us Mail to: M.H O Rourke Funerals Funeral Preplanning Department PO Box 382 Queanbeyan SW 2620 I want to be advised of prepaid promotions and other community services offered by M.H O Rourke Funerals I do not want to be advised of any promotions or community services offered by M.H O Rourke Funerals 7

7 Prepaid Funeral Prepaid Funeral ITRODUCTIO Have you ever thought about what might happen to your family or loved ones when you die? Do they know your wishes? Do they have the funds to ensure the financial burden of your funeral is easily dealt with? Just like making a Will, prepaying your funeral helps your family know exactly what you want in the event of your death and relieves them of the worry of these decisions and the financial burden they would otherwise be responsible for. As an Australian owned business, M.H O Rourke Funerals is one of the ACT and Queanbeyan s longest established Funeral Directors, having served families since the 1890 s. We understand that not all families can afford thousands of dollars up front for a service that meets the wishes of all concerned. That s why we have developed our Prepaid Funeral Plan it s the fixed price funeral plan that can be customised to meet your financial needs as well as relieving your family from the worry of planning for your funeral. Is my money safe? es. All monies are invested through Total Care Funeral Plan Pty Ltd, a registered funeral fund since its inception in It is regulated by the SW State Government through compulsory annual returns and audited annual financial reports. Investments are made only within a conservative framework, including a large portion of monies being held in fixed term deposits. In the unlikely event we were to sell our business or it becomes insolvent, the contract would be assigned to and taken over by the new owner of the business or alternatively we will arrange for another funeral director to be responsible for the supply of the funeral services. 9 Is there any insurance available if I die when interstate or on holiday from home? The geographic area we normally serve is 75 km from our nearest branch. We also have a Travel Protection Option available to protect you under these circumstances covering Australia and its territories only. If you die whilst overseas you will require your own Travel Insurance to repatriate the body back to Australia. If I have a pension, will it be affected? It is our understanding that prepaid funerals are wholly exempt from both the income and assets tests as applied by Centrelink (Australian Government: Department of Human Services) and the Department of Veterans Affairs. However, by law we are unable to give clients advice on such matters, and we strongly recommend you seek independent financial advice or confirm your position with Centrelink (Australian Government: Department of Human Services) and/or the DVA beforehand. How does the Prepaid Plan work? We understand that many people don t think ahead as to what might happen when they die. We have therefore made this process simple for both you and your family. Briefly, you decide exactly what type of service you would like and advise one of our staff of your wishes. Don t worry, we can guide you through the process step-by-step. From there, we will show you an itemised cost for the funeral of your choice and once you are happy with this, we can design an easy payment plan that suits your budget and needs. Benefits our wishes are recorded and can be made known to your family. The funeral cost is fixed at todays prices. All monies paid are safe and secure in the event of the sale of the business or the business becoming insolvent. A prepaid funeral certificate will be supplied for you to provide copies to family members, executors, etc. When the death occurs one phone call from your family is all that is required to commence proceedings as per your wishes. ou can be assured when dealing with one of the ACT and Queanbeyan s longest established family owned funeral directors. Relieves surviving family members from the financial burdens of paying for a funeral service. 10

8 Prepaid Funeral Benefits Continued our prepaid funeral will be exempt from both the income and assets tests applied by Centrelink and the DVA (independent financial advice should be sought beforehand) If you die whilst in Australia or its territories, your body will be repatriated to our Queanbeyan office for your funeral service (only if selecting our Travel Protection Policy for an additional fee) Can be paid in one lump sum or in monthly instalments after an initial deposit Can be tailored to suit your available budget Each item covered by the Prepaid contract will have a description noted as to what is included Funeral Bonds A safe simple and effective way to put funds aside that grow in secure and tax effective environment to help meet the expense of a funeral. Disadvantages If you move to an area in which we or our associated group of companies do not operate Purchase of cemetery plots and interment fees cannot be included ot transferable to other funeral directors I feel this option is the most appropriate for my needs at this moment. I want to prepay my funeral. There are two very simple things you can do: If you want further information mailed to you or to discuss costs then: 1. Call if you would like to discuss this matter further, arrange an obligation free meeting or if you wish to obtain a guide to the cost. If you want to proceed and take out a prepaid funeral with us then: 2. Call to arrange a meeting with one of our staff to discuss this matter further and/or to complete a contract. The meeting can be arranged in our office or your home and is obligation free. If you wish to proceed then you can assist the process by completing the Step 1: Information required for the registration of death and the Step 2: our wishes sections in the Prearranged Funeral section. 11

9 Funeral Bonds ITRODUCTIO A funeral bond is a safe, simple and effective way to put funds aside that grow in a secure tax effective environment to help meet the expense of a funeral. Funeral bonds also have significant advantages for means-tested Centrelink and Department of Veteran s Affair pensioners. The funds from a funeral bond will be used to contribute towards the prevailing costs of a funeral when required. As these costs cannot be guaranteed, remaining family members may be required to pay any difference. A funeral bond only addresses the financial aspects of a funeral. It does not enable you to declare your wishes with regards to the type/style of funeral you wish to have. A funeral bond can be taken out as well as a M.H O Rourke Prearranged Funeral to cover both financial and practical aspects of the funeral. Funeral Bonds Benefits Lump sum or regular monthly contributions can be made from as little as $20.00 A funeral bond is currently not subject to the Income and Assets test for Centrelink and DVA pensioners (please seek independent financial advice pertaining to your personal circumstances) Claims when required are usually available within a few days of receiving independent confirmation of death Can relieve the remaining family of the stress of finding financial resources at short notice. Money is safely invested in highly rated cash and low risk, short term securities Disadvantages Funeral costs are not fixed and funeral bond funds may not cover the funeral costs when required Practical aspects of the funeral and your personal wishes are not noted unless taken out in conjunction with a MH O Rourke Prearranged Funeral

10 Funeral Bonds I feel this option is the most appropriate for my needs at this moment. I want to arrange a funeral bond. There are two very simple things you can do: If you want further information mailing to you or to discuss this then: 1.Call if you would like to discuss this matter further and arrange an obligation free meeting. If you want to proceed and take out a funeral bond with us then: 2.Call to arrange a meeting with one of our staff to discuss this matter further and/or to complete a contract. The meeting can be arranged in our office or your home and is obligation free. If you wish to include the practical aspects of your funeral as well as the financial then you can assist the process by completing the Step 1: Information required for the registration of death and the Step 2: our wishes sections in the Prearranged funeral section. Funeral Insurance A life insurance product that provides (on your death) a benefit to be applied to the cost of your funeral. 15

11 Funeral Insurance ITRODUCTIO A Funeral Insurance product is purchased by nominating a set level of cover and paying a regular fee for that insurance. Upon death the insured will receive an amount equivalent to the amount covered under the insurance product and these funds released to contribute towards the funeral costs. This is a life insurance product and is subject to medical conditions. Benefits The relative regular payment is much less than other funeral preplanning options Using Sureplan Family Fund regular premiums are only paid until age 60 then you are covered for life and the premium never increases Claims when required are usually available within a few days of receiving independent confirmation of death Can relieve the remaining family of the stress of finding financial resources at short notice. Funeral Director omination ominate a preferred funeral director to undertake ones funeral when required. Disadvantages Funeral costs are not fixed and funeral insurance funds may not cover the funeral costs when required Practical aspects of the funeral and your personal wishes are not noted unless taken out in conjunction with a M.H O Rourke Prearranged Funeral. I feel this option is the most appropriate for my needs at this moment. I want to arrange funeral insurance. There are two very simple things you can do: If you want further information mailing to you or to discuss this then: 1. Call if you would like to discuss this matter further and arrange an obligation free meeting. If you want to proceed and take out a funeral insurance product with us then: 2. Call to arrange a meeting with one of our staff to discuss this matter further and/or to complete a contract. The meeting can be arranged in our office or your home and is obligation free. If you wish to include the practical aspects of your funeral as well as the financial then you can assist the process by completing the Step 1: Information required for the registration of death and the Step 2: our wishes sections in the Prearranged Funeral section. 17

12 Funeral Director omination ITRODUCTIO A funeral director nomination can be made by anyone at any stage of their life and is non-binding. It gives anyone the opportunity to advise family members and other third parties which funeral director you request that they use when the death occurs. This is a recent offering developed by M.H O Rourke Funeral Services. We will mail a Funeral Director omination Certificate to you to pass onto third parties such as executors, solicitors, nursing home staff, family members, hospital staff etc. Benefits ou can be assured that your family and others are aware of your preferred funeral director to be contacted upon your death. Can be upgraded to a prepaid, prearranged funeral, funeral bond, funeral insurance product at any time Cost aspects partially covered Cost of funeral is guaranteed fixed Certificate received Guarantees services from MHO our funeral wishes are known Meeting required with MHO Lump sum payment Regular small contributions possible Can be upgraded Provider FD omination /A MHO Funeral Insurance MHO through Sureplan Comparison Chart Funeral Bond MHO through Sureplan Prearranged Funeral MHO Prepaid Funeral MHO through Total Care Disadvantages Funeral costs are not covered Practical aspects of the funeral and your personal wishes are not noted Family members will have to source funds to pay for the funeral Family members will not be aware of your wishes with regard to your funeral. I feel this option is the most appropriate for my needs at this moment. I want to nominate M.H O Rourke Funerals as my preferred funeral director. There are two very simple things you can do: If you want further information mailing to you or to discuss this then: 1. Call if you would like to discuss this matter further and arrange an obligation free meeting. If you want to proceed and apply for a ominated Funeral Director Certificate (or order multiple copies) then: 2. Call or mail us your request. 19 M.H O Rourke Funeral Services Funeral Preplanning Department PO Box 382 Queanbeyan SW