When a family member dies

When a family member dies

We are here to help at this difficult time and can help by giving you information and advice, and by paying for these services:

  • Funeral expenses
  • Travel and accommodation expenses to attend the funeral, for immediate family members who live more than 100km away from the location of the service.
  • Family counselling services
  • Financial support for dependants.

How these services are paid for

Your funeral director can fill out the forms and bill us directly, so that you don’t have to worry.

If you have paid for the funeral yourself we will repay you. Please complete the Funeral and Dependency Benefits claim form and send it to us with the original copy of the receipt. You should keep a copy of the receipt for your own records.

If family members need to claim travel and accommodation expenses, it may be easier if one responsible person claims on behalf of everyone. They will need to complete and send us a Travel and Accommodation Expenses: Declaration for family members attending the funeral service of a TAC client form and attach all the original receipts. We will pay for travel in a private vehicle, and we’ll consider reimbursing the cost of taxi, motor vehicle hire, public transport and domestic air travel.

How much we will pay

We can pay up to $16,830* for the cost of a funeral and wake in Australia.

There is also a $5,610* allowance, between all immediate family members, which can be used towards travel and accommodation where you live more than 100 kilometres from the place of the funeral service.

*These amounts are for the period 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023. These amounts are indexed each financial year.

What we won’t pay for

There are a few things we can’t pay for, such as:

  • The cost of meals
  • Travel and accommodation for family members who live less than 100 kilometres from the place where the funeral service is held
  • Accommodation for more than two nights.

Further support and information

For more information, see:

For providers

If you are a provider of funeral services, please refer to our TAC funeral director guidelines.