Terms and Conditions

1. NATURE OF THE FUND

1.1 The Muslim Community Burial Support Fund (“the Fund”) is a non-profit, community mutual aid initiative established to provide discretionary financial assistance towards funeral and burial expenses of eligible members.

1.2 The Fund operates on the basis of mutual cooperation and solidarity within the Muslim community. It is not an insurance scheme, funeral plan, or regulated financial product, and membership contributions do not create any contractual right to a guaranteed payment.

1.3 Any financial assistance is made solely at the discretion of the Committee, subject to available funds and these Terms.

2. ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP

2.1 Applicants must ordinarily be aged between 18 and 60 years and in reasonable health at the time of applying.

2.2 Relevant pre-existing medical conditions must be declared at the time of application. Failure to disclose material information may result in refusal of assistance.

2.3 Applications from individuals over 60 years of age may be considered subject to additional joining contributions and at the discretion of the Committee.

2.4 Visitors are not eligible for membership. Elderly parents who have obtained permanent leave to remain in the UK may apply, subject to special eligibility criteria determined by the Committee.

2.5 Where a member has more than one spouse resident in the UK, only one spouse may be included under a single family membership. Additional spouses must obtain separate memberships.

2.6 Divorced parents must hold separate memberships. Dependent children will be covered under the membership of the parent with whom they ordinarily reside.

3. FAMILY COVERAGE

Subject to approval and continued membership, a family membership may include:

· Husband or wife (one spouse only)

· Dependent children up to 18 years of age

· Unmarried daughters up to 24 years of age residing at home

The Committee reserves discretion in determining eligibility.

4. MEMBER RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1 Members must notify the Fund of any change in circumstances including:

· Change of address

· Marriage or divorce

· Birth of additional children

· Change in custody arrangements

· Death of a covered member

4.2 Failure to update records may affect eligibility for discretionary assistance.

5. CONTRIBUTIONS AND FEES

5.1 A joining contribution is payable upon application unless otherwise determined by the Committee.

5.2 Annual membership contributions are set by the Committee and may be reviewed from time to time.

5.3 Contributions are payable in advance and may be made:

· Annually

· In agreed installments

· By bank transfer or standing order

· By cash collection where necessary

5.4 Contributions are used to support the objectives of the Fund and are not refundable after a 28-day cooling-off period, provided no assistance has been requested.

5.5 In exceptional circumstances (for example pandemics or major incidents), additional temporary contributions may be requested to maintain the sustainability of the Fund.

5.6 Membership may lapse where contributions remain unpaid for more than 28 days without agreement. Continued non-payment may result in termination of membership.

6. DISCRETIONARY BURIAL ASSISTANCE

6.1 Upon the death of an eligible member or covered family member, the Committee may consider making a discretionary grant towards funeral and burial costs.

6.2 The amount of any grant:

· Is not guaranteed

· Will depend on available funds

· Will reflect local funeral costs

· Will be determined by the Committee at the time of need

6.3 Assistance may be made by:

· Payment directly to a funeral director, or

· Payment to the next of kin or nominated representative

6.4 Different circumstances (including burial abroad, repatriation, Hajj/Umrah travel, or burial at place of death overseas) may result in varying levels of discretionary support.

6.5 The Fund does not accept responsibility for:

· Excessive or non-local funeral costs

· Third-party insurance claims

· Government or tax matters

· Disputes between family members

Where disputes arise, the Committee may decide to pay the funeral provider directly.

6.6 No assistance is payable for stillbirth.

6.7 Applications for assistance must be made promptly through a Committee member or designated contact person. Supporting documentation may be required.

7. TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

7.1 Members may resign at any time by notifying the Fund in writing or verbally to a designated representative.

7.2 The Fund may terminate membership where:

· Contributions are persistently unpaid

· False or misleading information was provided

· Fraudulent claims are made

7.3 Re-admission after termination is entirely at the discretion of the Committee and may require additional contributions.

8. GOVERNANCE

8.1 The Fund is managed by a Committee appointed in accordance with its governing document.

8.2 All decisions regarding membership acceptance, contribution levels, and assistance payments are final and made in good faith for the benefit of the community.

8.3 The Fund operates on a non-profit basis. Surpluses are retained solely for the purposes of supporting members and maintaining sustainability.

9. ACCEPTANCE

By joining the Fund, members confirm that they:

· Understand the discretionary nature of the Fund

· Accept that no guaranteed benefit is provided

· Agree to comply with these Terms and Conditions

10. CONTACTS

For further information or claims please contact your collector or the following people:

· Akhtar Bhatti (Secretary)           07738610813

· Haji Ali Shan (Trustee)           07502212973

· Haji Ali Asghar (Trustee)           07944879585

· Although free to use any Funeral Director you wish, we would recommend you use local Muslim Funeral Director where possible. Details are as below: –

· M Tariq ((YMA Funeral Services): 07828542061

· One Ummah Funeral Service South Yorkshire – call Adnan Ali 07931 854298/ 07518206666