Homicide Funeral Assistance Scheme

You are eligible to apply under the below criteria:

Eligibility Criteria Cause of Death

If the cause of death is defined under the Criminal Code Chapter XXVIII

• Section 279 – Murder
• Section 280 – Manslaughter
• Section 281- Unlawful Assault Causing Death

Ineligible Criteria Cause of Death

• If the death was caused by a motor vehicle accident
• If the death was employment related
• Presence of funeral insurance, and the claim has been finalised
• Used social fundraising mechanisms (e.g. crowdfunding) towards funeral costs.

The applicant must meet one of the below relationship eligibility criteria to apply to the scheme:

Relationship Eligibility Criteria

• Spouse or de facto partner of someone who has died as the result of a violent act
• Parent, step parent, sibling, step sibling or guardian of someone who has died as a result of a violent act
• Child, step child or under the guardianship of someone who has died as a result of a violent act
• Person identified as paying for funeral

Relationship Ineligibility Criteria

Regardless of the family relationship the family member is ineligible if they are:

• The offender directly responsible for the death
• Conspired with the offender about the death
• Been obstructive in the Police investigation into the death

Only cause of deaths under the section 279 Murder, section 280 Manslaughter and section 281 Unlawful Assault Causing Death of The Criminal Code Chapter XXVIII are eligible for funeral assistance.

As of 1 July 2023, the amount paid to funeral directors on behalf of eligible victims' families has been raised to $10,000, reflecting the rising costs of funerals since the Scheme began.

Applications must be made by a funeral director. Funeral directors have access to the application forms online.

Applications must include the following information:

• the full name of the deceased person and date of death
• the date of birth of deceased person
• the funeral director name, ABN and contact details
• an address to which notices, documents and information about the application can be sent – this could be a residential or business address, a PO Box or an email address
• detailed information in relation to the death to determine eligibility criteria
• Police reference number
• an invoice made out to the Department of Justice
• any other information you wish to provide.

The Office of the Commissioner for Victims of Crime, or the funeral director may ask you for more information during the course of considering your application.

The completed application and all supporting documentation are to be sent:

• Via post:
  Homicide Funeral Assistance Scheme
  Office of the Commissioner for Victims of Crime
  Department of Justice
  GPO Box F317 PERTH WA 6841

• Via email: cvoc@justice.wa.gov.au

If you require any assistance please contact the Office of the Commissioner for Victims of Crime on (08) 9425 2973.

The scheme is an administrative process. Once your application has been received, the Commissioner for Victims of Crime will review your application and request copies of any official criminal records relating to the deceased’s cause of death from the following agencies as relevant:

• the WA Police Force
• Criminal Injuries Compensation

The Commissioner must be satisfied that the eligibility requirements have been met in order to approve the provision of funeral assistance.

This will depend on how difficult it is to determine eligibility. As such please provide as much information as possible in the application form.

If your application for funeral assistance has been declined you can seek review of that decision to the Director General, Department of Justice. Your application for review must be lodged within 28 days of receipt of the decision that your application has been denied.

Please contact the Department of Justice:

Office of the Commissioner for Victims of Crime
cvoc@justice.wa.gov.au or to (08) 9264 9877.