Dying in Donnybrook just got more expensive, with the cost of burials and plots set to increase by up to 15 per cent at the local cemetery.
Last week, the government-appointed board of Remembrance Parks Central Victoria (RPCV), which manages the Donnybrook Cemetery, announced that a price review was underway.
The review proposed that the cost of a plot be increased by $345 and up to $370 to re-open a grave, with prices expected to increase even further when the Consumer Price Index (CPI) is announced in July next year.
Chief Executive Officer of RPCV Lauretta Stace stated that the new prices reflected the cost-of-living crisis felt by all.
“The cost-of-living crisis has put significant pressure on many of our fixed costs and as a result, RPCV has, and still is, experiencing deficits and cannot sustain the current pricing regime for some of our services,” she said.
“In some cemeteries we are providing interment services at below cost and cannot continue to do so.
“RPCV is acutely aware of the cost-of-living pressures on the community in Central Victoria and we have done everything we can to keep our prices as affordable as possible.”
A decision on the costs is expected to be announced and in place as early as mid-December.
In addition to the increase of plot and burial fees at the local cemetery, the Supreme Court of Victoria announced last week that court or estate administration fees—commonly known as probate office fees—will soon be increasing.
From November 18, the current five estate value brackets will be further divided into eight.
While good news for those whose estates are valued under $249,000 and therefore no longer have to pay a $68.60 probate fee, the majority of Victorians—whose average estate is valued at $500,000—will have to pay an additional $661.40 in processing fees.
For estates valued at $1 million, the fees will rise from $685.90 to $2400.50—an almost 250 per cent increase.
While the new tiered system will see wealthier Victorians bear the brunt of the new costs, with prices increasing from $2318.90 to anywhere between $7185.20 and $16,803.60 for estates valued at $3 million or above, the fairness of the new system for the average Victorian are called into question.
Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland shunned the State Government’s decision, arguing that the grief of losing a loved one was enough of a burden to bear without additional costs.
“The Allan Labor Government’s stealth introduction of the new death tax will make it even harder for people who are already dealing with the loss of a loved one,” she said.
“It’s a financial blow, taking advantage of Victorians at one of the most difficult times in anyone’s life.
“Hiking up these lodging fees creates real issues for executors and family members who may simply not have the cash on hand to file the paperwork.
“With how expensive housing is in Victoria now, the vast majority of estates will now result in significant probate fees, potentially leaving executors and grieving families stuck with thousands of dollars in bills they may be unable to afford.”
Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell empathised with Victorians, stating that the combination of the cemetery and probate fee increases was a ‘double whammy’ for local residents.
“There will be a double whammy on the cost of dying for Donnybrook residents, as probate fees jump by up to 645 per cent, and the cost of a plot and burial is proposed to increase by hundreds of dollars,” she said.
“The cost of living is going up under the Allan Labor Government, and now death taxes by stealth are making the cost of dying more expensive through massive fee increases.”
