What to do after setting up your prepaid funeral plan

Planning ahead for your funeral is a caring decision you can make for your family. During their time of grief, they won't have to make as many difficult choices or face as many unexpected costs. Instead, they can focus on supporting each other and honouring your life.

Now that you've taken the important step of setting up your prepaid funeral plan, here’s what to do next. 

Please note this guide is intended as informational only and only refers to prepaid funeral plans held with Guardian Plan. Guardian Plan is a prepaid funeral plan where your funds are invested in a funeral bond issued by the Over Fifty Guardian Friendly Society Limited (the Society) ABN 81 087 649 063 and AFSL 524353. This product is a financial product and may not be suitable for everyone. 

You should have received:

• A detailed contract outlining your chosen services
• Terms and conditions
• Important contact information
• Payment details and schedule (if applicable)

Take some time to read through everything carefully and ensure all details are correct. If anything seems unclear or incorrect, contact us so we can resolve any issues.

Your funeral plan documentation needs to be both secure and accessible. Consider storing it with your will and other important life documents – a home filing system or fireproof safe are good options, and it's wise to keep digital copies as backup.

It's important to make sure your closest family members know you've made these arrangements and understand your wishes. The executor of your will and your solicitor should also be informed. If you have assigned power of attorney to someone outside of this group, include them in these discussions too.

Create several copies of your plan, and keep one copy with your personal records and give others to trusted family members, your executor and your solicitor. This will help to make sure your wishes will be carried out as planned, even if one copy is misplaced.

Life changes, and the good news is that selected elements of your Guardian Plan prepaid funeral plan can change with you. Making changes to your plan may incur additional costs, but it is possible.

If you move house, change phone numbers or need to update your next-of-kin details, contact Guardian Plan right away. This ensures all important communications reach you and that your family can be contacted when needed. All it takes is a simple phone call or email.

Your preferences might evolve over time, and that's okay – just get in touch and we’ll help you explore your options and understand the costs associated with updating your plan.  Your funeral director and the Guardian Plan team are available to discuss any changes you'd like to make.

You may wish to review your plan every year or two. During your review, consider:

• Are your contact details still correct?
• Do your chosen funeral preferences still reflect your wishes?
• Have you informed any new family members about your plan?
• Are your payment arrangements (if paying by instalments) still suitable?

It’s important that your family knows exactly what to do when the time comes to use your funeral plan.

Your family simply needs to contact your chosen funeral home, and the funeral director will begin arranging services according to your documented wishes. If your family is interstate or your circumstances have changed, your plan can be transferred to any* of the 240+ funeral homes in the Guardian Plan network. 
 
*Please note that additional costs may apply if you need to transfer to a provider over 70km away from the original funeral home. 

Your plan documentation outlines exactly what services are included. If you've chosen to pay by instalments, any outstanding balance will need to be settled when the funeral is arranged – making sure your family is aware of this will avoid any nasty surprises later.

Your prepaid plan covers the services and inclusions you chose at the time of planning. However, if your family wishes to add or upgrade features, like the floral arrangements and post-service catering, they will need to cover the extra cost. Being clear with your family about what is and isn't included helps them prepare and prevents unexpected financial stress.

Your family won't have to manage this process alone. Your plan documentation includes all necessary phone numbers and references they will need, and your funeral director and the Guardian Plan team will be on hand to answer any questions. 

Remember, keep your documentation in a safe, known location, and don't hesitate to reach out if you need clarification on any aspect of your plan.

Important Information: Guardian Plan is a pre-paid funeral plan where your funds are invested in a funeral bond issued by Over Fifty Guardian Friendly Society Limited (the Society) ABN 81 087 649 063 AFSL 524353. This product is a financial product and may not be suitable for everyone. Before making a decision, consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and consider whether this option suits your needs, seek independent financial advice if needed.