How to claim for funeral expenses
In NSW, funeral expense can be claimed for anyone who has died in a motor crash, regardless of fault.
Who can claim funeral expenses?
- The 'legal personal representative' of the deceased person. This is usually the next of kin (e.g. wife, husband, parent, child).
- Where there is no 'legal personal representative' the reimbursement may be made to whoever paid for the funeral (e.g. NSW Trustee and Guardian).
What costs can you claim?
The 'legal personal representative' of the deceased person can claim for reasonable funeral expenses. These include:
- funeral director’s professional fees
- cost of the funeral service
- coffin
- mourning car
- cemetery site
- flowers
- newspaper notice
- death certificate
- costs for transporting body to an appropriate place for burial (this includes reasonable funeral expenses for overseas residents and the cost of transporting the body back to the home country).
How to claim for funeral expenses
1. Fill out the application form
Complete the application for funeral expenses claim form. The funeral director/mortuary service or your solicitor may be able to help you with any information you need but do not have on hand.
2. Attach requested documents
If you are requesting reimbursement after the funeral, you will need to provide proof of payment of the relevant invoices.
You can commence the claims lodgement process without a death certificate and provide the death certificate to the relevant insurer when received.
Contact CTP Assist if you need assistance with identifying which insurer to claim with or which document to attach.
3. Send documents to the insurer
Send your documents to the relevant CTP insurer. If you don't know which insurer to make a claim through, CTP Assist can help.
The claim form and documents should be submitted to the insurer within 3 months of a motor crash. However, claims can still be made after 3 months if the insurer is satisfied there is a full and satisfactory explanation for the delay.
What happens next?
The insurer should assess your claim within 4 weeks. Sometimes, they can contact you for clarification on documents and receipts. Once approved, they will reimburse the funeral expenses by either:
- paying directly into your account (or by cheque)
- paying the relevant funeral service provider as per invoices.
Contact us if you have questions
Call CTP Assist on 1300 656 919 or email us if you have any questions about funeral expenses or CTP insurance coverage.