From online crowdfunding to community events, there are many ways of raising money for funeral costs. Here are some easy and inspiring fundraising ideas you can use.
Organise a funeral fundraiser in the community
A community fundraiser can be a great way to bring family and friends together to celebrate the life of the person who has died. At the same time, you’ll be raising money for the funeral.
Popular funeral fundraising ideas:
- Organise a sale, raffle or auction at your local community centre. It could be as simple as a bake sale or you could ask for donations for an auction.
- Do a sponsored event such as a race or an endurance test. You could take part in a sporting event that’s already organised, or organise one of your own.
- Host an evening of music or entertainment and use the ticket sales to raise money for the funeral.
- Hold a sporting event such as a football or cricket match. For a personal touch, you could choose to do a sport that was important to the person who has died.
Try crowdfunding for funeral expenses
Crowdfunded funerals are becoming more and more popular. And it’s easy to see why. Websites like GoFundMe and JustGiving make fundraising for a funeral much easier. It’s also a good way to reach people all over the world.
To use a fundraising website, you’ll need to set up a page that explains what you’re raising money for and how much you want to raise. Once you’ve created your page people can donate securely online, using the website. You’ll then receive the funds to your account, ready for you to withdraw. You can set up your funeral fundraising page in just a few minutes.
To get the most out of your online funeral fundraiser:
- Make sure you include a story about the person who has died, explaining why they were special to you.
- Include a photo or two – this will help people feel confident they’re on the right page. It’s also a nice way to make the page into a lasting online memorial.
- Be specific about what you need to raise money for and how much it will cost – this makes it easier for people to give, and some may choose to pay for a specific item.
How to word a funeral fundraiser
It can feel awkward asking other people for money – even if it’s for a good cause. Here are a few tips to help you word your request:
- Be polite, but friendly. Try not to be too formal with your message.
- Tell the story of the person who has died. Try to keep the story short but memorable, focusing on the most important things about who they were.
- Be clear about the costs of the funeral – for example, you could explain that the average cost of a basic funeral in the UK is £3,953 (SunLife, 2023), and that you’ve only managed to raise half this amount so far.
- Reassure people that they can give as much or as little as they want, and that every donation is appreciated.
- If you’re using a crowdfunding platform such as GoFundMe or JustGiving to raise funds, remind people that they can donate anonymously if they’d like to.
Share your fundraising efforts
Social media is a great way to reach friends and family all around the world. So make sure you share the details of your funeral fundraising on platforms like Facebook and Instagram, and ask friends and family to do the same.
You could also send out details of your fundraiser by email. GoFundMe has some useful email templates you can edit and use to help you raise money.
More ways to fund a funeral
While fundraising can be a great way to help you pay for a funeral, you may be able to access other funds too:
- DWP funeral grant: if you receive benefits, you may be able to get the Funeral Expenses Payment. This is a government scheme to help cover funeral costs up to £1000.
- Funeral plan or life insurance: if the person who died had either a funeral plan or life insurance you should be able to use these funds to pay for part or all of the funeral.
Looking for more help with paying for a funeral? You’ll find more info on funeral costs in our advice hub.