Introduction

1. Membership Eligibility Requirements
1.1 – Membership is open in the first instance to UKIM & EIC members and attendees and secondly to all UK Muslim residents who are NOT in an existing Death Committee.
1.2 – Members must be between the ages of 18 to 60 years of age and in general good health at the time of obtaining membership. Prior illnesses excluding terminal illnesses of members and their family to be covered under the Scheme must be declared on joining.
1.3 – To be eligible for Bereavement Support, members must maintain an active membership status.
1.4 – The Bereavement Support benefit will be available to members who have completed a minimum of six (6) consecutive months of active membership.
1.5 – The six-month period is calculated from the date of initial membership activation.
1.6 – The membership shall run each calendar year, from 1st January to 31st December.
1.7 – The membership shall cover the named person, their spouse and their children under the age of 18 (who are residing in same dwelling)
1.8 – Once a person reaches the age of 18, they will require a new membership and will pay the annual membership fee and any joining fees if not previously covered under parent’s membership.
1.9 – If a child reaches the age of 18 during the membership year (until 31st December), they shall be covered and will require a new membership from 1st January onwards.
1.10 – After the death of an Adult member, his/her widow/widower and children up to the age stated in paragraph 1.4 will remain members providing the widow/widower pays the subscription and subsequent renewal fee.
1.11 – If any member is divorced during the term of the membership, then their membership terms are not affected until 31st December. The main registered member will be covered. The other member will then require a separate membership from 1st January.
1.12 – Children will only be covered under the parent’s membership who has custody of the children. If the custody has not been decided the children may be covered by the parent’s membership whom with children lives.
1.13 – In the unfortunate event of a miscarriage, pregnancy loss, stillbirth, this will not be covered in this support.
1.14 – All members are responsible for informing EIC Bereavement Support regarding any change of circumstances. For example, newborn, address change, phone number change or any other information that is applicable.
1.15 – Failure to disclose any information that can affect the membership terms & conditions will void the membership and a new membership will be required.

2. Membership Fee, Renewals and Top-up Fees
2.1 – The following membership options are available:
2.2 – Option One – Single (Individual) Male or Female (If marital status changes you will need to inform us and add the spouse name at no additional cost. This also applies for any additional children born after)
Option Two – Married Couple (Family) Adult Member, His/Her (Both Under 45) Spouse through Marriage/Single Parent & Their Children up to their 18th Birthday (Through Birth, through Marriage & Legal adoption of the Main Adult Member) ALL who MUST be resident in UK .
Option Three – Single from the age of 46-55 – Anyone that joins will only be the one covered in the membership: Married from the age of 46-55 under – covers spouse and children under age of 18.
Option Four – Anyone that joins from the age of 56-60 will only be the one covered in the membership. The joining fee is £450 with the standard annual membership.
2.3 – The registration/ joining fee and annual membership fee is set out in the table shown above.
2.4 – Membership joining fee for NEW members whose parent(s) are already members is FREE.
2.5 – All payments will be due in FULL by the end of December. If any member fails to pay their renewal fee by 31stDecember, the membership shall be automatically void. They will then need to re-apply for new membership.
2.6 – Once paid for, any fees are strictly non-refundable after the 14-day cancellation period.
2.7 – All members are required to pay their fees in FULL via Bank Transfer or Standing order /direct debit. Failure to comply will void the membership or the membership will be denied.
2.8 – If the funds are running low or are not enough to cover the cost of any funeral fees, the committee has the right to request more funds (as applicable) and the members shall pay the amount as requested by the committee.
2.9 – Refusal to pay any extra requested funds, the carried membership shall then be voided.
2.10 – In case the previous membership of the applicant is void under Paragraph 2.8 above, the applicant’s refusal to contribute funds would be taken into consideration while deciding on applicant’s new application for membership.
2.11 – The registration fee and membership fee will be reviewed annually by the Management committee and any changes will be communicated 21 days before.

3. Membership Benefits
3.1 – The committee will support the costs of funeral and burial in UK by paying a one-time lump sum of upto £4000 for the deceased adult member and spouse and upto £2000 for children under the age of 18.
3.2 – If the death of a member occurred in the UK but the body is transported abroad. The Scheme will pay a lump sum of upto £4000 to the next of kin or nominated person of the deceased who is covered under the terms of the membership.
3.3 – Where death of a member occurs abroad and burial is carried out at place of death, the Scheme will pay a lump sum of upto £2500 to the next of kin or nominated person of the deceased
3.4 – The member is free to choose whichever funeral service provider he/she chooses. EIC can provide contacts of local funeral providers to assist with funeral and burial arrangements.
3.5 – Payment will normally be made within 7 days to the Main Adult Joining member or next of Kin of the deceased.
3.6 – All claims must be made by completing the claim form online or at the Office.

4. Annual Review of Terms & Condition
4.1 – The Management Committee are entitled to amend/modify the terms & conditions every annual meeting including review of registration fee/annual membership fee etc.
4.2 – The members may make any suggestions to the committee. However, these will be reviewed by the committee internally.
4.3 – Any changes in the fee structure and/or in the terms & conditions would be decided by the Management Committee.
4.4 – The notification of changes would be given to the members subject to the committee policy and the reason of any changes would be recorded in the Minutes.

5. Cancellations and Refunds
5.1 – The member may terminate their membership at anytime by writing to the Office of the EIC Bereavement Support Scheme or giving it to one of the Management Committee Members.
5.2 – A cancellation refund of the EIC Bereavement Support Scheme is ONLY allowed within 14 days of the date when Joining fee was paid.
5.3 – The EIC Bereavement Support Scheme may cancel a membership if:
· The member fails to pay full contributions within the specified time.
· The member misses payments or make regular late payments without a valid reason.
· The member is found to defraud claims or membership details on the Application Form.
5.4 – Those members who voluntarily terminate their membership or were terminated by the Scheme may only re-join on the Management Committee’s discretion. Each application will be considered on individual circumstances within the rules of the terms and conditions. Re-joining fee will be equivalent to the amount missed since leaving.

6. Double-Benefit Rule
6.1 – If a deceased Member’s funeral and/or Burial is paid for through the EIC Bereavement Support Fund and at the same time the family receives benefit from another death committee or support fund e.g a Funeral Expense Payment for eligible people on benefits then that amount will be deducted from the eligibility of this scheme.
6.2 – The Management Committee of the EIC Bereavement Support Scheme reserves the right to re-claim from the decease’s family the cost differences incurred by the fund for fairness to all other members of the EIC Bereavement Support Scheme and it’s Funds.

7. Disclaimer
7.1 – This policy is not death insurance or life insurance. This committee is intended for the mutual benefit and support of all members (support amongst all members) for the betterment of community, keeping in view the community needs.
7.2 – Members may put forward suggestions regarding EIC Bereavement Support and services which will be reviewed internally. Any material decisions would be solely made subject to the discretion of the Management Committee as detailed above and the members disclaim any right to challenge the decisions of the Committee.

8. Data Protection
8.1 – The committee shall adhere to the data protection policy.

9. Application Form
9.1 – Please complete and submit the online application form at www.eic.org.uk And attach copy of ID (Passport or Driver’s license) and any supporting documents requested. You can request a link for the form via email or at the EIC.
9.2 – Please pay the Joining membership fee to the account details provided on the application form.