Funeral Assistance
Funeral assistance
You may be eligible for funeral assistance if you’ve paid, or are likely to pay, for the funeral of someone who’s died from an act of violence, such as murder or manslaughter.
We can pay up to $6,000 for funeral expenses. Where more than 1 person pays for the funeral, we’ll pay a combined total up to $6,000 (e.g. if 2 people pay for the funeral, each may be eligible to receive part of the $6,000).
We can pay funeral assistance either before or after the funeral. We can make the payment for goods and services used, or likely to be used, directly to you or to the funeral service provider.
Eligibility
To be eligible for funeral assistance, you must:
• be the person who paid, or is likely to pay, for the funeral of someone who has died from an act of violence
• apply within 3 years of the victim’s death.
Applying for funeral assistance
To apply for funeral assistance:
• complete a Funeral Assistance Application
• attach all receipts, invoices or other proof of funeral expenses that you want to claim
• attach any supporting documentation as proof of other relevant payments you’ve applied for and/or received from other sources
• have your signature witnessed on the statutory declaration form
• return the completed application form and attachments.
Completing the application form
The form has 5 sections. You should complete all sections as fully possible.
Complete the following sections before returning the form to us:
• section 1—details of the person wanting assistance
• section 5—statutory declaration, witnessed by a justice of the peace, commissioner of declarations, notary public or solicitor.
We can help you complete the other sections.
Witnessing the form
A justice of the peace, commissioner of declarations, notary public or solicitor must witness your application form and then you’ll need to sign the statutory declaration.
Find a justice of the peace in your area.
Whoever witnesses your statutory declaration might score through any sections that you’ve left blank. That is acceptable. We’ll be able to add more information to your application once we’ve received it.
Returning the form
By post
Post the completed application form and all attachments to:
Victim Assist Queensland
GPO Box 149
Brisbane QLD 4001
By fax
(07) 3109 1901
By email
Email documents (signed and scanned) to victimslinkup@justice.qld.gov.au.
Time limits for applying
You have 3 years from the victim’s death to apply for funeral assistance.
Other financial assistance
You may be eligible for other financial assistance in addition to funeral assistance.
You must complete the 2 separate application forms if you’re applying for both funeral assistance and other financial assistance.
Payment timeframe
Funeral assistance is available as an interim payment. This means that if you’re applying for other financial assistance as well as funeral expenses, we can pay your funeral expenses while we’re considering your application for other financial assistance.
Information for funeral homes
If you’re a funeral home, you may complete the form on behalf of the applicant, but the applicant must still sign it. The person who signs the statutory declaration must be the person who’s paid for the funeral or whose name will be invoiced for the cost of the funeral.
We can pay you directly if you provide us with an unpaid invoice and a signed, completed application form. In most cases, payment will take between 3 days and 3 weeks. We usually process the payment within 3 working days of the date that we approve your application.
For more information
• Email: victimslinkup@justice.qld.gov.au
• Call: 1300 546 587 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm, not including public holidays).
People from a non-English speaking background requiring an interpreter or translator call
131 450 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5.00pm, not including public holidays).
