Q: Why should I plan my funeral in advance?
Just like making a will, planning your funeral helps your family and loved ones know exactly what you want in the event of your death and makes it easier for them to cope when the time comes. It helps them know that the funeral service you are being given is the one you wanted to be remembered by. Planning your funeral through TJ Andrews could include everything from where you would like the service to be held, to music and readings.
Q: Can I be sure the monies are safely invested?
Yes. All monies paid would be invested through Total Care Funeral Plan Pty Ltd, a funeral fund registered since 1989. It is regulated by the NSW Government through compulsory annual returns and audited annual financial reports. Also, every year you would receive an annual statement. Investments are made with advice from the St George Bank.
Q: What happens if TJ Andrews sells their business or becomes insolvent?
In the unlikely event we sell our business or it becomes insolvent, the contract will be assigned to and taken over by the new owner of the business, or we will arrange for another funeral director to be responsible for the supply of the funeral services.
The Pre-Paid Funeral Plan is exactly what it says: your funeral paid in advance at a fixed price to ensure that what you want is what is provided. Whether it’s through easy regular instalments or by advanced full payment, TJ Andrews makes your funeral less of a burden – both emotionally and financially – for your loved ones.
Q: How does the Plan work?
We understand that many people don’t think ahead as to what might happen when they die. We have therefore made this process simple for both you and your family. Briefly, you decide exactly what type of funeral service you would like and advise one of TJ Andrews highly experienced team of your wishes. Don’t worry, we can guide you through this process step by step. From there, we will show you the itemised cost for the funeral of your choice and once you are happy with this, we can design an easy payment plan that suits your budget and needs.
Q: What happens if you were to die a long way from us?
The geographic area we normally service is anywhere within a radius of 75km from our nearest branch. If this is not adequate, we also offer a Travel Protection option.
Q: For pension purposes, is a Pre-Paid funeral exempt from the Income & Assets Tests?
It is our understanding that Pre-Paid funerals are wholly exempt from both the income and assets tests as applied by Centrelink and the Department of Veterans Affairs. However, by law we are not allowed to give clients advice on such matters, and we strongly recommend you seek advice from your own financial advisors or confirm your position with Centrelink and/or the DVA.