❓ Hon Lynn MacLaren questions the Minister representing the Minister for Local Government about the significant increase in the cost of single funeral permits and its potential impact on families. The Minister confirms the price increase, attributing it to the administrative burden on the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board.
AnsweredQoN 914Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
FUNERAL PERMITS
914. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the minister
representing the Minister for Local Government:
(1) Can the
minister confirm that the cost of a single funeral permit has increased from
$151 in 2009–10 to $874 in 2014–15?
(2) If yes to (1), why has the cost
of a single funeral permit increased so much over this period?
(3) If no to (1), what are the
actual costs for these years?
(4) Given that
the number of single funeral permits applied for over the same period has
decreased from 63 to nine, does the minister agree that the increasing cost of
these permits is acting as a disincentive for families who wish to pursue this
option?
914. Hon LYNN MacLAREN to the minister
representing the Minister for Local Government:
(1) Can the
minister confirm that the cost of a single funeral permit has increased from
$151 in 2009–10 to $874 in 2014–15?
(2) If yes to (1), why has the cost
of a single funeral permit increased so much over this period?
(3) If no to (1), what are the
actual costs for these years?
(4) Given that
the number of single funeral permits applied for over the same period has
decreased from 63 to nine, does the minister agree that the increasing cost of
these permits is acting as a disincentive for families who wish to pursue this
option?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question.
(1) Yes.
(2) The single
funeral permit option is in place for those families who do not wish to utilise
the services of a funeral director in making the arrangements for their service
or for those funeral directors who do not hold a Metropolitan Cemeteries Board
licence to operate. Historically, very few families opted for the single
funeral permit, but when they do, it places a significant administrative impost
upon the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board by ensuring that families meet the
occupational health and safety and legislative requirements when making the
arrangements for a funeral—for example, coffin compliance, storage of
bodies, and submission of fully compliant paperwork. The price levied for a single
funeral permit is reflective of the administrative impost on the Metropolitan
Cemeteries Board.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) Historically,
15 to 20 single funeral permits were issued each year. This has now dropped to
approximately nine per annum. It is important to note that a number of
community groups have now formalised their funeral arrangements and operate as
licensed funeral directors or choose to operate in conjunction with existing
licensed funeral directors. A number of regional funeral directors now also
hold a Metropolitan Cemeteries Board licence and no longer utilise the single
funeral permit to conduct burials in metropolitan cemeteries. This has, as a flow-on
effect, reduced the number of single funeral permits issued.
of the question.
(1) Yes.
(2) The single
funeral permit option is in place for those families who do not wish to utilise
the services of a funeral director in making the arrangements for their service
or for those funeral directors who do not hold a Metropolitan Cemeteries Board
licence to operate. Historically, very few families opted for the single
funeral permit, but when they do, it places a significant administrative impost
upon the Metropolitan Cemeteries Board by ensuring that families meet the
occupational health and safety and legislative requirements when making the
arrangements for a funeral—for example, coffin compliance, storage of
bodies, and submission of fully compliant paperwork. The price levied for a single
funeral permit is reflective of the administrative impost on the Metropolitan
Cemeteries Board.
(3) Not applicable.
(4) Historically,
15 to 20 single funeral permits were issued each year. This has now dropped to
approximately nine per annum. It is important to note that a number of
community groups have now formalised their funeral arrangements and operate as
licensed funeral directors or choose to operate in conjunction with existing
licensed funeral directors. A number of regional funeral directors now also
hold a Metropolitan Cemeteries Board licence and no longer utilise the single
funeral permit to conduct burials in metropolitan cemeteries. This has, as a flow-on
effect, reduced the number of single funeral permits issued.
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