- State Government raises payments under its Homicide Funeral Fund
- $10,000 to be paid up-front to respectfully farewell victims of homicide
- Ambulance costs also covered to alleviate the financial burden for grieving families
A State Government scheme which helps to pay for the funerals of homicide victims has been expanded and will now also cover the ambulance bill.
The Homicide Funeral Assistance Scheme has been operating since 2018 through the Office of the Commissioner for Victims of Crime in the Department of Justice.
Between 2018 and 2022 the Office paid for 83 funerals with payments of $8,000 for families to farewell victims of murder, manslaughter and unlawful assault causing death.
As of 1 July 2023, the amount paid to funeral directors on behalf of eligible victims' families has been raised to $10,000, reflecting the rising costs of funerals since the Scheme began.
The fund pays the funeral director through a simple application process rather than requiring the grieving family to pay and then seek reimbursement.
The Office of the Commissioner for Victims of Crime has also been working with St John Ambulance to reduce the financial burden on families impacted by homicide.
From 1 July, families of homicide victims are no longer required to pay the ambulance invoice and then seek reimbursement.
The Scheme will take care of the payment up-front, further reducing the trauma experienced by families.
The Homicide Funeral Assistance Scheme is part of a package of support measures for the families of homicide victims delivered by the Office of the Commissioner for Victims of Crime.
The Office also coordinates the cleaning of homicide crime scenes so that families are not required to undertake this distressing task.
As stated by Attorney General John Quigley:
"This funding boost will lessen the trauma of families having to find large sums of money during a period of grieving and incredible stress.
"The increased, upfront payment for funerals reflects the rise in the costs of these services since this Government introduced the Scheme in 2018.
"Paying the costs associated with St John Ambulance attendance will further alleviate the financial burden and distress for families dealing with homicide."
As stated by Commissioner for Victims of Crime Kati Kraszlan
"These changes will go some way to alleviating the financial stress associated with losing a loved one to homicide.
"The need for families to rely on fundraising and other forms of public generosity will also be reduced.
"The package of financial supports is part of a broad suite of measures which we are constantly updating in consultation with victims and their families."
