Blogs

When a loved one passes away, it can be very painful. Death is a part of life, and grieving a loved one is a universal experience. However, that often does not make the process of losing someone that you cared about deeply, whether it’s a friend or a family member, any easier.

Being involved in processing the wishes and estate of a loved one can make this process even more challenging to navigate. Many families or friends find that while their loved one had a special place in their heart, they did not have the money set aside to handle a situation like this.

These days it is becoming more common to see families request donations instead of flowers. Memorial donations are a helpful way to support the family of the deceased by assisting in covering costs of service, funeral, and other related expenses.

These funds can go to helping the family pay for various expenses or to honor the memory of the loved one by raising money and giving the funds to a cause or place dear to their heart.

Funds may even go towards remembering the loved one and purchasing an object such as a bench in the park for others to enjoy. Whether it's contributing to a cause that the loved one felt passionate about, paying for necessary costs, or providing a memorial, memorial funds have become a popular request in lieu of flowers.

Covering the Costs of a Funeral

Funerals are expensive, which is why many families opt for a funeral fundraiser. Memorial donations can go a long way towards helping family members to cover costs that must be paid for ahead of time and often quickly with short notice.

Funerals cost in the four figure range to start. You can do your best to try and save money where you can, but often families and friends are emotional at this time. It is difficult to attempt to navigate the financial side of a funeral while also trying to 'do right' by the loved one.

Many families find relief through a funeral fundraiser, where they ask their close friends, family, and members of the community to donate instead of sending flowers. Many are overwhelmed at the generosity and support that they receive.
 

Helping a Family to Navigate Grief

Memorial funds allow the family more emotional space to process their feelings and their grief from the passing of a loved one. The grief may be even more painful if the death was unexpected or sudden.

This is precisely why memorial and funeral fundraisers are so helpful. They reduce the burden of financially paying for the funeral and services, which can be needed even more when a family is forced to collect a lot of money in a short amount of time to pay for them. Many families are not prepared for this sudden cost and memorial donations and fundraisers help to allow those close to the deceased to grieve.

Charitable Donations and the Creation of Scholarship or Charity

Memorial fundraisers also go directly to charities or charitable organizations as well. Families often choose to set up fundraisers or ask for donations on behalf of everything from Alzheimer's, heart disease, addiction, mental health and cancer charities to donations to hospitals and organizations that provide hospice care.

This is a wonderful way to make a difference, positively help others, and remember the person that you loved so much. Whether selecting a cause revolving around health, treatment, education, animal rights, human rights, or something else, charitable organizations will certainly be happy to accept donations in remembrance of a loved one.

Loved ones may also choose to set up a scholarship fund or establish a charity in the memory of their loved one. No matter what you do with the funds, if it's going to good places and if it is helping other people, it is a fantastic way to be proactive and help make things a little easier for family and friends during a tough time.
 

Setting Up a Memorial Fund

Look online to find out more and discover concrete steps as well as places where you can set up a memorial fund. It's not overly complicated and is a wonderful way to remember someone that you cared about as well as to support their loved ones during a difficult time.