Funerals

The financial assistance for funerals is to assist Aboriginal families in the NLC Region that have recently lost a family member by providing a contribution towards the overall costs of holding a funeral. The assistance is to alleviate some of the financial hardship experienced in burying a loved one. The overall funding is a limited amount and helps about 200 Aboriginal families per year.

Eligibility criteria

• The deceased person is an Aboriginal person who is known, recognised and affiliated within the NLC region.
• That the applicant is the appropriate person to apply for funeral assistance; they should be the next of kin or an immediate family member who has the legal responsibility of the body. 
• The burial must take place within NLC region.
• Only one funeral application for a deceased person will be considered.
• Funding is spent strictly in accordance with the NLC Funeral Assistance Policy. 

Funding assistance and eligible items

This funding assistance is limited to $3,000 (GST inclusive) per deceased person and can only be used to contribute to the cost of a coffin, funeral parlour professional fees or transporting the body of the deceased.

Application process

Applications are to be completed by the next of kin or family representative and submitted to the NLC prior to the funeral taking place. It is the applicant’s responsibility to complete the application form, provide proof of death and relevant itemised quotations for a coffin, funeral parlour professional fees or transporting the body. 

Approved applications

NLC will not commit any financial expenditure until the application and approval process is complete. If the Funeral application is approved;

• No cash will be provided to the applicant.
• All financial transactions will occur directly with the supplier.

Ceremony 

NLC acknowledges that Traditional Aboriginal Owners are culturally diverse and have different cultural responsibilities, obligations and traditional ceremony practices.  The NLC continues to promote kinship relationships, responsibilities and cultural integrity of traditional practices and encourages the maintenance, practice and revitalisation of ceremonies for youth, men’s and women’s business. 

Ceremony assistance helps Aboriginal ceremony leaders or a group representative by providing a contribution towards the overall cost of holding a ceremony. The grant funding is a limited amount and helps support ceremonial activity in the NLC region.

Eligibility criteria

• The ceremony activity is known, recognised and affiliated with the NLC region.
• That the applicant is the appropriate person to apply; that they are an Aboriginal ceremony leader or group representative.
• The ceremony must take place within NLC’s jurisdiction.
• Funds directly benefit those participating in the actual ceremony.
• Only one ceremony application will be considered per ceremony event.
• Funding is spent strictly in accordance with NLC Ceremonial Grant Policy.

Funding assistance and eligible items

This funding assistance is limited to a total of $1,000 (GST inclusive) per ceremony and can only be used to contribute to the following:

• Fuel, travel, material for dancers; and
• Food purchases only (i.e. vegetables, meat, bread, tea, flour, rice, Weetbix etc.).

Items NOT eligible include:

• Personal items, flowers, newspaper advertisements, cigarettes, soft drinks, lollies, tobacco, alcohol, clothing, sheets, blankets, towels, phone credit, gift cards, etc.

Application process

Applications are to be completed by the Aboriginal ceremony leader or a group representative and submitted to the NLC prior to the ceremony taking place. It is the applicant’s responsibility to complete the application form and provide relevant quotes / or nominate the preferred supplier of goods in the community for the requested eligible items.

NLC will do the following

• Ensure the application is complete and relevant supporting information is provided.
• Assess the application against the eligibility criteria, check funding availability and pass to the appropriate NLC delegates for approval.
• Advise the applicant if the funeral or ceremony assistance is approved or not approved within 5 working days. This advice will include the level of assistance to be provided.
• NLC staff will deal with the aggrieved families, ceremonial leader or group representative in a respectful manner and provide accurate policy information and support the timely processing of applications. 

How to apply

• Application forms for Financial Assistance for Funerals and Ceremony are below. 
• Applications can be lodged in person at an NLC Office or sent to the following email address: funeral@nlc.org.au