Request funeral expenses
Part of the Financial assistance for victims topic
Request to claim funeral expenses for victims, including unborn children, who die as a direct result of an act of violence in Queensland.
On this page
In short
You can request to claim funeral expenses for:
- victims who die as a direct result of an act of violence
- an unborn child lost due to violence.
You must may need to submit your request online or by email depending on who you are.
Only a related victim (a close family member) that is paying for the funeral can apply online. If the funeral is being paid for by someone else, they'll need to complete a PDF form and email it to Victim Assist Queensland.
See How to request funeral expenses for the full application process.
What you should know
There are requirements you must follow to submit a request for funeral expenses. You must:
- be the person responsible for paying the funeral costs
- provide copies of the funeral invoices and/or receipts for funeral expenses
- provide medical information confirming the loss of an unborn child, if applicable
- tell us if you have received any money from any other person, agency, organisation, insurer, or fund for the funeral.
You may be able to claim up to $15,000 in funeral-related costs.
Update your request for funeral expenses
Email VictimAssist@justice.qld.gov.au if you need to make changes to an existing request for funeral expenses at any time.
Who can apply
You can only request funeral expenses if you are:
- a close family member (related victim) paying for the funeral
- the person who is paying for the funeral or making the arrangements
- claiming costs associated with:
- embalming and mortuary care
- funeral director’s professional service fee
- funeral celebrant fee
- coffin and floral arrangement for coffin
- cremation costs
- council cemetery fee (interment, grave or burial fee, grave liner)
- venue hire
- funeral notice and service booklet
- certified death certificates and registration of death.
Who cannot apply
You cannot apply if:
- the death was caused by:
- an accident or suicide
- dangerous use of a bicycle, skateboard, foot scooter or mobility device
- dangerous use of non-motorised watercraft (e.g. kayak, canoe, surfboard, paddleboard).
- you are claiming costs associated with a wake, food or beverage expenses, additional keepsake urns, or non-essential funeral costs (e.g. balloons, doves, or car hire).
How to request funeral expenses
Choose how to request and follow the steps.
Step 1: Gather your documents
Gather evidence of your:
- copies of the funeral invoice and/or receipts for funeral expenses
- specific portion of the funeral costs you want to claim if they are being split between different people or insurers.
See Supporting documents for victims of crime in the Help centre.
Step 2: Complete application forms
You must first complete the Part A Financial assistance for victims of violent crime.
Once you've submitted Part A, you'll receive a unique application number or submission ID you can use to complete the Part B: Recovery expenses application form.
Step 3: Upload your documents
Upload your supporting documents to the form.
PDF, PNG or JPG max. 200KB
Step 4: Acknowledgement and consent
You must acknowledge the privacy statement and consent to the terms and conditions for applying for funeral expenses.
Step 5: Submit your applications
Submit your Part A application and use your unique application or submission ID to complete and submit the Part B application form.
Step 6: Receive confirmation
You will get a confirmation email after submitting each application form to confirm it has been received by Victim Assist Queensland.
Step 1: Download the application form
Funeral Only application form
Step 2: Complete the application form
You can complete the application form electronically or by hand. To make sure your application is readable, we recommend you complete it electronically.
If you hand write your banking details, they will need to be confirmed by phone or email.
Step 3: Gather your documents
Gather evidence of your:
- unique application number provided with Part A application.
- receipts or invoices for recovery expenses.
See Supporting documents for victims of crime in the Help centre.
Step 4: Attach documents to your application
Attach a scanned copy or take a picture of the documents to the email.
Step 5: Acknowledge and consent
You must acknowledge the privacy statement and consent to the terms and conditions for applying for funeral expenses.
Step 6: Submit your request
Email your request with your unique application number in the subject line, attach your receipts or invoices and supporting documents to:
Email: VictimAssist@justice.qld.gov.au
Step 7: Receive confirmation
You will get a confirmation that your email has been received.
How long it takes
It may take 35 days before Victim Assist Queensland is able to assess your funeral expenses.
If we require further information, we will contact you directly.
Once you receive an email remittance with the amount that will be paid, it will be deposited into the requested bank account within 5–10 business days.
From the Help centre
Find answers to frequently asked questions about services, including:
Proof of identity documents for victims of crime
Supporting documents for victims of crime
Request information from Victims Assist Queensland
Find more in the Help centre.
Managed by: Department of Youth Justice and Victim Support