The death of a loved one is never easy, and the cost of a funeral can be staggering. The New Zealand government has introduced the Funeral Assistance Grant to cover some of these costs for low-income families. If you qualify for this grant it could help ease some of the burdens of planning a funeral for someone who has passed away. This article will discuss some of the requirements for the funeral grant in Winz, as well as some tips to keep in mind if you are applying.
Here are six tips to keep in mind when applying:
Understand your eligibility:
The first thing that you should do is understand if you qualify for the grant. If you have a partner, or if you are over 55 years old and receiving superannuation then you are not eligible for the grant. If your income is under $27,500 per year then you may qualify for this funding. You will also be required to provide proof of identity and proof of residency.
Consider costs and plans:
Consider the cost of the funeral service. It can vary greatly depending on where you live and which cemetery or crematorium you choose to use, so it’s important to do some research before booking anything.
Consider the cost of any coffins or caskets used during services. If someone has passed away, they will need a suitable container for their remains if they’re being buried or cremated–so factor this into your budget if necessary!
Consider other costs associated with holding a wake (if applicable). If there is going to be an open-casket viewing at someone’s funeral service, then flowers might be appropriate for decorating around them; however if not then maybe just using candles would suffice instead.
Be realistic about your budget:
When planning a funeral, it’s important to be realistic about your budget and stick to it. Don’t get carried away with the extras and don’t buy things you don’t need. If you’re paying for everything yourself, don’t be afraid to ask for help if someone offers their condolences by offering money towards your loved one’s send-off.
Get quotes for everything:
Before you start shopping for a funeral, it’s important to get quotes from different providers. It will allow you to compare prices and services, which can help ensure that the final bill comes in at an affordable price.
It’s also important to ask about any hidden costs that may not be included in the advertised price of services. For example, some caskets are cheaper than others but require additional fees if they need customization or modification after delivery (this is especially true with cremation caskets).
Some florists might include free delivery when negotiating a contract with them; others won’t tell customers this until after they’ve already paid their deposit on orders placed with them.
Budget for things that may not be covered by the funeral grant:
The funeral grant is not a loan. It is a grant, and it doesn’t cover everything. It’s important to keep in mind that there are certain things that the government will not pay for with their funds. These include:
- The cost of wakes and wake-sides (the area surrounding the coffin).
- Flowers, unless they’re associated with any religious ceremony or rite of passage being performed at the same time as your loved one’s funeral service/cremation ceremony/generalization service.
Don’t skimp on the coffin or casket:
When you’re shopping for a coffin or casket, it’s important to remember that these items are going to be expensive. If you don’t want your loved one’s funeral to cost more than necessary, then don’t skimp on the coffin or casket.
Instead, get quotes from a few different places and find out which ones are charging fair prices before making your decision–and make sure not to forget about factoring in the cost of hiring a funeral director!
Conclusion
It’s important to remember that funeral grants in Winz are a great way to help you with your funeral costs. However, they require a lot of paperwork and can take a long time to process, so you should apply for them as soon as possible. You should understand if you qualify for the grant and also consider the cost of services in your area. Then, once you have all the information you need, you can make an informed decision about whether or not to apply for a grant and which one is right for your situation.