Start a funeral fundraiser on GoFundMe

Yes, if you know someone who is suffering with a financial burden following the death of a loved one and needs help with covering medical bills or the cost of a funeral, starting a GoFundMe is a great way to help. We recommend you first ask if the person you are fundraising for is comfortable with you starting a crowdfunding fundraiser. Once you set up the fundraiser, you can invite them to set up bank transfers so they will receive the money directly. Learn more about inviting someone else to receive funds from a fundraiser.

The description on the donation page is a great place to honor the memory of the deceased. You can add memories, photos, and brief overview of their life. We recommend including details at the beginning of your fundraiser description about what the funds will be used for. This will help potential donors understand how their money will be spent. If there is a date by which you are hoping to collect funds, it is also recommended that you include this information. For example, if you are looking for help covering the cost of a funeral service for a burial or cremation before they are due, include the date and the expected funeral costs.

Yes, you can raise (or lower) your fundraising goal at any time. Be sure to post an update to donors on the fundraising platform when you intend to change the fundraising goal to explain what the extra money will be used for or why you no longer need as much as previously thought.

The process of setting up and verifying transfers can take 3-7 business days or longer to complete. Then, once your first transfer is sent, it will take on average 2-5 business days for the funds to safely be deposited into the bank account on file.

One small transaction fee (2.9% + $0.30) is automatically deducted per donation—that’s it. Everything else goes directly to your cause. For more information and to estimate what you will receive, check out the GoFundMe pricing calculator.

Yes, you can fundraise for a charity or nonprofit you care about by selecting “Charity” when prompted to select who you are fundraising for in your GoFundMe setup. You can use the donation page for online fundraising efforts or to support in-person fundraising events. You can also include a QR code in the program for your loved one’s funeral or memorial service, or ask people to make a donation to your fundraiser for the deceased’s favorite charity instead of sending flowers.

The average funeral or memorial service in the United States costs $8,300, according to The National Funeral Directors Association. Other costs may include cemetery fees (e.g. plot cost, monument, or grave marker) or items such as an obituary, flowers, or fees for the priest or minister.

Finding the money for funeral expenses can be tough, especially during such a difficult time. Simple fundraisers such as bake sales, potluck fundraisers, or silent auctions can help raise money for families so they can plan the right send off for their loved one. Read more funeral and memorial fundraising ideas here.

We recommend using the full name of the person’s memory in which you are fundraising for so that donors can easily search for and find your fundraiser. For example, “In loving memory of Jane Doe.”

Yes, you can add team members to help you run the fundraiser after the fundraiser is set up. Visit this help center article for a step-by-step guide to adding team members to your GoFundMe.