Costs that are not related to a funeral
Sometimes an applicant may claim for costs that are not related to the funeral.
If it is found that a cost has not arisen directly from the funeral, it must not be included in the Funeral Grant assessment.
Costs that are not related to a funeral include:
- transport for attendees e.g. petrol, vehicle hire, or flights
- items purchased for anyone other than the deceased person e.g. formal funeral wear for a surviving partner
- accommodation costs for people attending the funeral e.g. a hotel
- costs associated with unveiling ceremonies
- cost of an urn
There is no discretion to include costs that are not directly related to a funeral in the Funeral Grant assessment.
Example - cost is not related to a funeral
Hana has applied for a Funeral Grant for her father Ahman's funeral costs. She has provided evidence of the following costs:
- a formal dress for Hana to wear to the funeral
- a pine casket
- transport of the deceased to the crematorium
- cremation fees
The cost of the dress Hana purchased cannot be included in the Funeral Grant assessment as it is not a funeral cost. The other costs may be included in the Funeral Grant assessment as they are directly related to the funeral.
Administration expenses
Administration expenses are costs incurred by the administrator in managing and carrying out the terms of a deceased person's estate. These expenses are deducted from the estate prior to the asset test rather than being treated as funeral costs.
