What is Funeral Concierge

An eziFunerals FuneralSmart Plan is a funeral planning and concierge service rolled into a funeral bond and life insurance plan. It is offered as a value-added benefit through a network of Friendly Societies and Life Insurance Companies. Ask your Funeral Fund if you’re eligible for eziFunerals services.

Alternatively, you can purchase an eziFunerals Funeral Concierge Plan for yourself and your spouse online via our site. By becoming a client you have access to online planning tools, 24 hour access to eziFunerals Advisors for any of your funeral planning questions plus the peace of mind of knowing that your family will be assisted by an eziFunerals Advisor at the time of need.

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.

The Funeral Bond is available to anyone over age 16, individual or joint investors.

You can invest any amount into your funeral bond The total amount you contribute should be reasonably commensurate with your expected funeral expenses. 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 $15,500 from 1 July 2024. If you do not receive benefits, this threshold does not apply.

Yes. A Funeral 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.

A funeral bond is an investment owned by you. It incorporates a ‘cooling off’ period, during which time you can withdraw your money. However, after this, the funds cannot be withdrawn. Specific details about the cooling off period can be found in the PDS.

No. A funeral bond is designed specifically to meet your funeral expenses and cannot be withdrawn for any other purpose. You can only access your money during the cooling off period.

The Funeral Bond Manager will reimburse payments made towards funeral expenses when provided with a funeral invoice and receipt of payment. The reimbursement will be up to the amount invested in the policy and paid to the same person listed on the receipt.

The Funeral Bond Manager will pay the amount due of the invoice to the funeral director and the difference to the Estate of the deceased.

The Funeral Bond Manager can only pay as much as is in the Bond. Any outstanding amounts will have to be paid to the funeral director directly. For more information on this, please refer to the Funeral Bond PDS. 

Your pre-arranged funeral payments must be invested with a prescribed investment manager.

Your funds will:     

• be invested in an account in your name; and
• only be paid out when the investment manager receives written notice from FuneralSmart that the recipient’s funeral has been carried out as per the contract.

An amount paid for FuneralSmart Concierges Services, GST, or for a administration fee or charge, will not be invested.

You can invest any amount into your funeral bond. The total amount you contribute should be reasonably commensurate with your expected funeral expenses. 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 $15,500 from 1 July 2024. If you do not receive benefits, this threshold does not apply.

The investment value of your prepaid contract is invested in a regulated investment fund. As a member of the Fund the investment value is held in your name and we can only access the funds on your passing as part of the bond contract. In the very unlikely event that we are not in business when you pass away the investment value at that time will be paid to your Estate.

If you are travelling within Australia when death occurs, your family will need to contact us immediately, so that we can make the necessary arrangements to assist with your safe transfer. Some additional costs for transport may be required.

As part of a funeral plan, you will receive a funeral contract, which lists all the prearranged services agreed upon. You will also receive a copy of your Product Disclosure Document outlining how your money is invested and kept safe.

It’s important to ensure that your next of kin or executor knows your wishes. That will make the process seamless at the time of your passing. If you are in an aged care facility or hospital, we encourage you to let them know that you have a prepaid contract with FuneralSmart and provide our contact details. They will then be able to contact us immediately when the time comes.