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A National Approach to Dignified Bereavement Care

Scaling a proven model to support Australians in their most vulnerable moments

A National Response to Funeral Poverty

Bereavement Assistance is progressing a national initiative to ensure all Australians have access to dignified, affordable funeral care, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Building on a long-standing charitable model developed in Victoria, the Bereavement Assistance Initiative seeks to address the growing issue of funeral poverty at a federal level, supporting individuals, families and communities experiencing significant hardship.

The Challenge

Funeral poverty is a growing national issue

Across Australia, many families face financial distress at the time of loss. For those already experiencing hardship, the cost of a funeral can lead to:

  • High-interest debt and long-term financial strain
  • Limited access to respectful, professional services
  • Delayed or inadequate end-of-life arrangements
  • Reduced dignity in death and bereavement

This creates a cycle where grief is compounded by financial pressure, impacting individuals, families and broader community wellbeing.

The Bereavement Assistance Initiative

A scalable, community-led solution

The Bereavement Assistance Initiative is designed to expand a proven Victorian model into a nationally coordinated program that delivers:

  • No-cost funerals for individuals who are destitute, homeless or without financial means
  • At-cost professional services for pensioners and low-income families
  • Specialised bereavement programs, including infant loss support
  • Culturally safe services for First Nations communities, including Sorry Business
  • Public health outcomes through appropriate mortuary care and respectful processes

At its core, the initiative ensures that no Australian is denied a respectful farewell due to financi

About Sustainable Community Group

The Sustainable Community Group (SCG) is an initiative of the Starfish Foundation, a registered charity and auspice provider with a track record of collaborative innovation.


Its purpose is to promote and facilitate collaboration between value-aligned charities, community projects and passionate individuals focused on creating a sustainable future for people and planet.

Supporting dignity, reducing debt & strengthening communities

By addressing funeral poverty, the initiative contributes directly to broader social equity and cost-of-living outcomes.

Prevents predatory lending and funeral-related debt

Improves access to dignified end-of-life care

Supports vulnerable populations, including the elderly, homeless and low-income families

Provides culturally appropriate services for diverse communities

Strengthens local support networks through community participation

Initiatives

Established Partnerships

Alignment with National Priorities

Community & Regional Impact

A Proven Model, Ready to Scale

Supporting a National Rollout

Built on trusted relationships & proven delivery

Bereavement Assistance works in partnership with:

  • Victorian Government (DFFH), delivering state-based funeral assistance programs
  • Potter’s Field Funerals, a social enterprise reinvesting in charitable outcomes
  • Welfare organisations & community groups, supporting local delivery and engagement

These partnerships ensure services are delivered to professional, ethical and pastoral standards, while remaining accessible to those most in need.

Supporting key Commonwealth objectives

The Bereavement Assistance Initiative aligns strongly with current federal priorities, including:

  • Targeting entrenched disadvantage
  • Closing the Gap initiatives and culturally appropriate care
  • Cost-of-living relief for vulnerable Australians
  • Aged care reform and end-of-life support pathways

This positions the initiative as a practical, scalable solution within existing national policy frameworks.

Strengthening local resilience across Australia

The national rollout will support:

  • Local volunteer and pastoral care networks
  • Regional partnerships with welfare organisations
  • Financial education and support for vulnerable families
  • Long-term community resilience and social stewardship

By embedding services locally, the initiative ensures that support is accessible, culturally appropriate and community-led.

Since its establishment, Bereavement Assistance has worked to ensure that dignity in death is not determined by financial circumstance.

With a strong foundation in Victoria and established partnerships already in place, the organisation is now positioned to expand nationally, delivering consistent, high-quality bereavement care across Australia.

Exploring federal pathways & partnerships

Bereavement Assistance is currently seeking guidance and collaboration to support the national expansion of this initiative.

This includes exploring alignment with:

  • Commonwealth Outcomes Fund
  • Social Enterprise Development Initiative (SEDI)
  • Youpla Support Program transition pathways

The goal is to establish a sustainable, nationally coordinated model, potentially including a centralised Dignity Fund to support ongoing service delivery.

Get Involved

Supporting dignity for all Australians

The Bereavement Assistance Initiative represents an opportunity to deliver meaningful social impact at a national level.

We welcome engagement from:

  • Government representatives
  • Policy advisors and program managers
  • Welfare and community organisations
  • Strategic partners and funders

Help bring dignified bereavement care to every Australian