Community
11 July, 2026
Planning ahead at Wycheproof Probus
Jenny Bibby from Kell Funerals in St Arnaud was the June meeting speaker.
WYCHEPROOF Probus members learnt how to prepare for the later stages of life at its most recent meeting.
Jenny Bibby from Kell Funerals in St Arnaud was the June meeting speaker.
Ms Bibby told the group that Kell Funerals was founded in 1860 and she had been a Director of the business since 1997.
There are four staff on the team, including a celebrant.
She explained the process a family would go through when organising a funeral for a loved one.
“Kell offer pre-arranged funerals and they will come to your home to help organise the funeral with you and your family,” she said.
“We discuss what type of funeral you would like and associated decisions with this choice and such fees.
If the weather is potentially poor they discuss where you wish to move the service to, what sort of presentation you want and displays.
Kell will also help with the order of service, the hymns you would like and even with pre-writing the eulogy.
Ms Bibby explained pre-paid funerals were not offered by Kell Funerals these days because it is hard to estimate due to variable increases in costs, instead Kell suggests investing in Funeral Bonds.
“These bonds can be purchased through Australia Post and generate interest during their life which can be added to the capital,” she said. ”The funds can only be used to pay for funeral costs and cannot be realised until the funeral has been organised.”
Ms Bibby suggested that bonds to the value of $15,500 would cover a funeral and any that is not spent goes back to the Estate.
The arrangements with the Funeral Bond and the Funeral Director should be included with your paperwork at your Solicitor so there is a paper trail for relatives. “It is a good idea to include funeral details in your Will so that others know your wishes,” she said.
Wyche probus publicity officer Martin Duke said while some would find this an odd topic to discuss, it was an important one.
“Probus members at the meeting were most impressed by Jenny’s pleasant presentation and were very pleased to get such sensible advice on a seemingly morbid topic,” he said.
Lyn Cossar took the Chair and led the induction of new member Dawn Keane.
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