State Government to pay $8000 for funerals of murder victims

THE State Government will pay $8000 towards the funerals of murder victims under a new scheme.

The Homicide Funeral Assistance Scheme will provide the money towards the cost of a funeral where the cause of death was murder, manslaughter or unlawful assault causing death.

Previously, eligible victims would need to make an application through the Criminal Injuries Compensation scheme.

The scheme will apply to deaths that occurred after January 1, 2018.

“Dealing with the murder of a loved one can never be anything less than traumatic on the deepest level, but now families of murder victims will at least not have to worry about raising the money to farewell one or more members of their family,” Attorney-General John Quigley said.

“We know that many families are forced to borrow money, go into debt or turn to crowd funding in these awful situations.

“Rather than have to go into debt or reach out through crowd funding, families will be able to access an up-front payment, payable through their chosen funeral director.

“I hope that this payment will allow bereaved parents, friends and relatives to concentrate on grieving their loved ones, and not worry about how to pay for a funeral.”