Victorian government to pay funeral costs of bushfire affected families

14 Feb 2009

Media Release: 14th February 2009

The Brumby Government will pay funeral costs of bushfire affected families to help relieve the financial burden of funerals for loved ones.

Minister for the TAC Tim Holding said payment of funeral expenses up to $10,000 would allow every victim of Victoria’s bushfire tragedy to have an appropriate and dignified funeral.

“I again offer my heartfelt condolences to the families that have been affected by this devastating disaster,” Mr Holding said.

“I hope this payment will go some way to help families grieve for their loved ones in a dignified way at this very difficult time.”

Mr Holding said the TAC would administer the payments to ensure funeral costs for all victims of the fires could be met quickly.

“In these tragic circumstances, the Victorian Government will cover the funeral costs of all people who have passed away in the fires not just those that lost their lives in or near vehicles,” Mr Holding said.

Families can receive further information about this payment by calling 1800 180 213.

Mr Holding said today’s announcement was in addition to the Brumby Government’s recently announced $10,000 Compassion and Bereavement Payment and the Commonwealth Government’s $5000 special payment to assist with Funeral/Memorial related costs which can be accessed by calling Centrelink on 180 22 11.

Mr Holding also thanked the funeral industry for reducing the cost of a range of funeral arrangements for the families affected by the bushfire and those newspapers that had reduced the financial burden of notices placed by the families.