What you need to know about making a funeral insurance claim

First thing’s first. If you’re tasked with making a funeral insurance claim – we’re sorry for your loss. As much as funeral insurance companies try to make it a smooth and easy process in a truly difficult time, there’s no denying how difficult the reality of the situation really is.

Please be kind to yourself, and don’t be afraid to ask for help.

As for making a funeral insurance claim, it is designed to be as straight-forward as possible to ensure you get the financial support you need to give your loved one a fitting final farewell. 

Here’s everything you need to know. 

What are funeral insurance claims? 

A funeral insurance claim is made when someone passes away, who has set up a funeral insurance policy to help cover the costs of their send off. This means that  their nominated beneficiary will receive a lump sum payout from the insurance company to help pay for, or cover, the cost of the funeral. However, if no beneficiary has been nominated then the lump sum payout will go to the estate of the deceased.

After all, the cost of an average funeral is an estimated $10,000, which is not a sum of money that many people may have to spare. 

What you need to make a successful claim 

Making any kind of insurance claim is essentially an exercise in gathering the required paperwork. 

You can either call the insurance provider directly, who should talk you through the process. Or, you can visit their website to view their policy documents and information to get started. 

The very first step will be to find and print out a funeral insurance claim form, which will give you a clear list of what to include when you make a claim. 

Important documents to make a claim 

Every insurance company and claim can be different, but these are the key documents you’ll likely need when making a funeral insurance claim: 

  • funeral insurance claim form
  • a certified copy of evidence of death
  • a certified copy of evidence of the deceased’s age
  • a certified copy of proof of your identity and your relationship to the deceased

Note that to have a copy of something certified, it must be signed by a Justice of the Peace, Solicitor of the High Court, Notary Public, or a Deputy Registrar at a court. There are useful tools for finding these individuals online, such as the search on Find a Notary.    

Make sure you read the claim form carefully and complete it in full. If it’s not completed correctly, you will be required to make the necessary corrections before the claims process continues.

Steps to navigating the claims process 

Here are some suggested steps to making a funeral insurance claim: 

  1. Order a death certificate 
  2. Call the insurance company for guidance and start the claims process
  3. Locate the relevant funeral insurance policy document
  4. Print and fill out the relevant funeral insurance claim form
  5. Collect the various documents required 
  6. Certify your document with a Justice of the Peace or other registered official
  7. Send all documents along with the completed claim form to the insurance provider
  8. If everything is in order, your insurance provider should process your claim within a few days of receiving all documentation, otherwise they will be in contact to inform you of any outstanding requirements.   

Important timelines to keep in mind 

You can make a claim from the day of the policy holder’s death. It is encouraged to lodge the claim within 120 days of the death to reduce any delays in assessing your claim.  

Note that any missing documentation or not filling in the claim form properly may result in delays in processing your claim and receiving your payout, so take your time to make sure everything is in order when you submit your claim. 

Funeral directors do not usually require payment up front as they will likely send an invoice for their services, which gives you some time to organise the claim. However, other services may require payment up front, so it may be in your best interests to make the claim as soon as possible to ensure you have the funds ready to cover any expenses.   

Losing a loved one is never easy, but Funeral Insurance can provide peace of mind for your family. Request a quote today to see how Seniors Funeral Insurance can help protect your family from your funeral costs.

3 Dec 2024