A charitable memorial fund collects donations in memory of the deceased, directing them to a cause they cared about. This provides a meaningful way to honor the deceased while supporting their values.
15 steps across 2 sections
1. Steps Process
- Identify the cause — Choose a charity or cause meaningful to the deceased.
- Choose the structure:
- Direct donations to existing charity (simplest)
- Memorial fund at a community foundation
- Donor-advised fund in the deceased's name
- Scholarship fund at a school/university
- GoFundMe or similar crowdfunding (for specific needs)
- Set up the fund — Contact the charity or community foundation. Provide the deceased's name and any specific wishes.
- Announce in the obituary — Include "In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to [charity/fund]."
- Provide easy donation access — Share donation links, mailing addresses, and fund details with mourners.
2. Key Details
- Donations to 501(c)(3) organizations are tax-deductible for donors
- Community foundations can manage memorial funds with low minimums
- Donor-advised funds offer tax benefits and flexible granting
- GoFundMe donations are NOT tax-deductible (not a 501(c)(3))
- Some charities offer memorial pages on their website
Pro Tips
- Choose an established charity to avoid administrative burden
- If creating a scholarship, work with the school's development office
- Include the fund in the obituary, funeral program, and online memorial
- Consider making the fund ongoing rather than one-time