Claiming Death Benefits in Sydney, NSW
If you've ever worked in Australia, chances are you have a superannuation fund funded by your employer. In the unfortunate event of the fundholder's demise, the entitled beneficiary can claim the death benefit, encompassing all invested funds—an essential process to navigate.
Despite acknowledging the importance of planning their own funeral (90%), Australians often leave the responsibility to others, contributing to undue stress. Our "Planning Your Own Funeral Checklist" aims to empower more Australians to shape their final farewell while alleviating the burden on their loved ones.
- Peace of Mind: Planning your funeral or memorial service in advance provides peace of mind for you and your family, reducing emotional and financial stress.
- Cost Control: Australians annually spend around $1.6 billion on funerals. Planning allows you to pay for what you want, avoiding unnecessary expenses and leaving savings for your loved ones.
- Personalisation: Planning in advance enables you to personalise your send-off, minimizing guesswork and reducing difficult decisions during a period of grief.
- Religious preferences
- Burial or cremation choice
- Presence of coffin during the service
- Burial plot ownership or preferred cemetery
- Funeral director preference and prepaid funeral plan
- Funeral insurance details
- Preference for viewing
- Desired internment type
- Budget considerations
- Location or venue preferences
- Wake location
- Type of service: traditional or memorial/celebration of life
- Preferences for service sequence
- Specific guest attire or memorabilia
- Ceremony leader choice: Priest, celebrant, MC
- Pallbearers, eulogist, and tributes
- Readings, poems, and displayed photos
- Preferred songs, music, or hymns
- Catering preferences for the wake
- Donation preferences instead of flowers
- Invitations to specific groups or organisations
Once completed, store the checklist with your Will, avoiding stapling to maintain legal validity. Share it with your executor or a trusted family member, ensuring they know its location.