CREMATION AUTHORISATION, PAYMENT & LEGAL TERMS

Effective Date: 03.06.2019
Jurisdiction: Queensland, Australia

1. Formation of Binding Agreement

1.1 A legally binding agreement is formed when a client requests cremation services through any of the following methods:

• Telephone

• Website submission form

• Email

• SMS/Text message

• Social media messaging (including Facebook)

• Written correspondence

• In-person instruction

1.2 By entrusting your pet or animal into the care of Sacred Souls Pet Funerals (“the Company”), you acknowledge and agree to these Terms and Conditions.

1.3 Confirmation of cremation type, urn or memorial selection, service inclusions, or acceptance of a quoted price—via any communication method—constitutes authorisation for the Company to proceed.

2. Authority to Act

2.1 You warrant that you are the lawful owner of the pet or have full legal authority from the lawful owner to authorise cremation.

2.2 The Company is not responsible for ownership disputes. Services may be suspended until written authority is received from all relevant parties.

2.3 You indemnify the Company against any claim arising from misrepresentation of ownership or authority.

3. Payment Terms

3.1 Full payment must be received prior to cremation unless otherwise agreed in writing.

3.2 Invoices are payable upon receipt.

3.3 If payment is not received within seven (7) days of the invoice date:

• A late administration fee of $3.30 per week will apply.

• A storage fee of $6.00 per day will apply for each day beyond the initial seven (7) days.

3.4 Storage fees reflect refrigeration, handling, compliance, and facility costs.

4. Non-Payment & Final Notice Procedure

4.1 If payment remains outstanding after seven (7) days, the Company will issue written notice requesting payment or collection.

4.2 A final collection deadline will be provided in writing.

4.3 If the pet is not collected by the stated deadline and payment has not been made, the Company reserves the right to:

• Arrange respectful lawful disposal; or

• Proceed with general cremation without return of ashes.

4.4 The Company will make reasonable attempts to contact the client before any final disposition.

4.5 The Company will not return a pet’s body to a residential address without confirmed written consent due to biosecurity, public health, and legal considerations.

5. Debt Recovery

5.1 If an account remains unpaid after final notice:

• The outstanding balance may be referred to a debt collection agency.

• Reasonable recovery costs, legal costs, and administrative fees may be added to the debt.

• Interest may be charged as permitted under Queensland law.

5.2 The client acknowledges that recovery action may affect their credit rating.

6. Payment Methods & Surcharges

6.1 Sacred Souls Pet Funerals offers various payment methods for client convenience, which may include:

• Afterpay

• ZipPay

• VetPay

• PayPal

• Ezidebit

• Credit and Debit Card facilities

6.2 A surcharge may apply when using third-party payment platforms or merchant facilities.

6.3 Any surcharge applied will:

• Reflect the actual cost of acceptance charged to Sacred Souls Pet Funerals by the payment provider;

• Not exceed the permitted surcharge amount under Australian Consumer Law and the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth);

• Be clearly disclosed to the client prior to processing payment.

6.4 By electing to use a payment method that incurs a surcharge, the client agrees to pay the disclosed surcharge in addition to the service price.

6.5 Sacred Souls Pet Funerals is not responsible for any additional fees, interest, penalties, repayment schedules, or charges imposed directly by third-party finance providers under their own terms and conditions.

6.6 The Company reserves the right to amend accepted payment methods or surcharge amounts at any time in accordance with applicable laws.

7. Internal Payment Plans

7.1 Internal payment plans may be offered at the sole discretion of the Company and must be agreed to in writing prior to cremation proceeding.

7.2 If a payment under an agreed payment plan is missed:

• The payment plan is immediately cancelled.

• The full outstanding balance becomes immediately due and payable.

• Any funds received will be applied as partial payment for services already rendered.

• Late fees, storage fees, and recovery costs may continue to accrue.

7.3 The Company reserves the right to decline a payment plan request.

8. Australian Consumer Law

8.1 Nothing in these Terms excludes, restricts, or modifies rights under the Australian Consumer Law.

8.2 To the extent permitted by law, the Company’s liability is limited to:

• Re-supply of the services; or

• Refund of the amount paid for the services.

8.3 The Company is not liable for indirect, consequential, or emotional distress damages.

9. Communication Consent

9.1 By engaging the Company, you consent to communication via phone, SMS, email, mail, or electronic messaging platforms for:

• Service updates

• Invoices

• Payment reminders

• Collection notifications

9.2 It is the client’s responsibility to ensure contact details are accurate and current.

10. Storage & Uncollected Ashes

10.1 If ashes or memorial items are not collected within ninety (90) days of notification:

• The Company may respectfully scatter or dispose of ashes.

• No refund will be issued.

10.2 Reasonable attempts will be made to contact the client prior to final disposition.

11. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of Queensland, Australia.

Any disputes shall be subject to the jurisdiction of Queensland courts.

12. Biosecurity, Health Risk & Decontamination Fees

12.1 The client must disclose any known or suspected infectious disease, zoonotic condition, chemical exposure, toxin ingestion, radiation treatment, trauma contamination, or other biohazard risk relating to the pet at the time of booking.

12.2 Sacred Souls Pet Funerals reserves the right to refuse, delay, or modify services where a pet presents a biosecurity, contamination, or workplace health and safety risk.

12.3 Where a pet is identified as presenting a biohazard risk (including but not limited to infectious disease, advanced decomposition, bodily fluid contamination, chemical contamination, or public health risk), certain memorial services may be unavailable.

12.4 Hair clippings, paw prints, fur keepsakes, and any memorial impressions requiring physical handling will not be performed where a biohazard or contamination risk exists.

12.5 If specialised handling, isolation procedures, personal protective equipment (PPE), or decontamination of vehicles, equipment, refrigeration units, preparation areas, or facilities is required due to the condition of the pet, a Biohazard Handling & Decontamination Fee will apply.

12.6 The Biohazard Handling & Decontamination Fee will:

• Reflect the reasonable costs of additional labour, PPE, cleaning agents, disposal materials, and downtime of operational areas;

• Be disclosed to the client as soon as reasonably practicable once the risk is identified;

• Be payable prior to cremation proceeding unless otherwise agreed in writing.

12.7 Sacred Souls Pet Funerals will not be liable for the inability to provide memorial items due to biosecurity restrictions, health regulations, or workplace safety obligations.

12.8 No refund will be issued for unavailable memorial items or modified services where restrictions arise from biohazard or safety concerns beyond the Company’s control.

Client Acknowledgement

By engaging Sacred Souls Pet Funerals and/or entrusting your pet or animal into our care, you confirm that:

• You have read and understood these Terms.

• You are authorised to provide cremation instructions.

• You agree to payment obligations and procedures outlined above.

​