Policy
The TAC will contribute a maximum amount of $15,010 towards the costs incurred in Australia for a funeral, when a person dies as a result of a transport accident and has an accepted TAC claim. Refer to the Eligibility for Benefits policy.
Transport Accident Act 1986 reference: s.60(2A)(b)
For accidents before 20 November 2013, please refer to the Burial & Cremation Expenses policy.
Background
The cost of a funeral varies according to the selection of individual components. The TAC will contribute a capped amount for a funeral, including burial, cremation and monument.
Guidelines
What amount will the TAC contribute towards the cost of a funeral?
The TAC will contribute the costs incurred for a funeral up to the amount of $15,010. The TAC capped amount reflects the amount that the Australian Funeral Directors Association believes is the realistic costs for a funeral held in metropolitan Melbourne.
The TAC considers the following items would be included as part of the funeral:
- Cremation
- Burial
- Cemetery fee or cremation fee
- Coffin/casket
- Urn
- Identifying plaques, inscriptions or monuments
- Service charge
- Clergy offering
- Press notices
- Flowers
- Death certificate
- A gathering (wake)
- Interstate or regional transfer fees.
What services can the TAC pay for permanent overseas residents?
Where an overseas resident dies as a result of a transport accident whilst visiting Australia, the TAC can contribute up to a capped amount to the reasonable costs, incurred in Australia, for an Australian funeral director service fee, mortuary, coffin, metal liner, consulate fees and the reasonable cost of airfreight/transfer fee to his/her country of residency.
Can the TAC fund funerals that take place overseas?
The TAC can only contribute to the costs for a funeral in Australia, this includes both permanent Australian residents and overseas visitors.
What other services can the TAC fund?
For eligible family member(s) of a person who dies as a result of a transport accident, the TAC can fund:
- family counselling
- dependency benefits, and/or
- home services.
Refer to the Family counselling, Dependency benefits (Surviving Partner benefits or Surviving Dependent Child benefits), and Home services policies.
In relation to funeral expenses what will the TAC not fund?
The TAC will not fund the following:
- burial or cremation fees outside the Commonwealth of Australia
- services provided more than 2 years prior to the request for funding except where the request for payment is made within 3 years of the transport accident. Refer to the Time Limit to Apply for the Payment of Medical and Like Expenses policy.
Funeral Expenses (applies to accidents on or after 20 November 2013)
| Applies to accidents on or after 20 November 2013 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Service Description | 1 July 2017 | 1 July 2016 Maximum amount |
| Funeral expenses (including burial, cremation and monument) | $15,230 (GST inclusive) | $15,010 (GST Inclusive) |
View Support when a person dies
Support when a person dies
This brochure is helpful for people whose loved one has died in a transport accident in explaining what benefits and services the TAC can provide, including payment of burial or cremation costs and income support.
View Funeral and dependency benefits claim form
Funeral and dependency benefits claim form
This form needs for be completed and returned to the TAC to claim funeral expenses and/or dependency benefits after a person has died as a result of a transport accident. The introduction section sets out what information and official documents need to be provided regarding the deceased person's spouse, partner and dependant children.