Charity or Family Fundraiser? What to Put on a Memorial Page

When families add a donation section to a memorial page, the first real decision is usually this:

Should the page point to a charity, or should it point to a family fundraiser?

If the person had a cause they cared about — a rescue organization, a hospice, a church fund — link to that charity. If the family has real financial needs from the death, a fundraiser is the more honest choice. Both work. The wording matters more than which option you pick.

When a Charity Link Makes More Sense

A charity link is often the best fit when:

• the person cared deeply about a cause
• they volunteered or gave regularly
• the family wants the memorial to point outward toward service
• immediate financial needs are not the main issue

Examples include:

• animal rescue
• hospice
• cancer research
• a church outreach fund
• a school, library, or community organization

In those cases, the donation becomes an extension of the person's values. Visitors who give feel like they are doing something the person would have loved.

When a Family Fundraiser Makes More Sense

A family fundraiser is often the better fit when:

• the death created unexpected expenses
• funeral costs are a real burden
• the family lost a major income source
• friends have already started asking how to help directly

This is especially common after sudden loss, younger deaths, or difficult financial circumstances.

There is nothing less meaningful about this option. Sometimes the most caring memorial donation is the one that helps the surviving family most immediately. People who loved the person want to help — a fundraiser gives them a direct way to do it.

Can You Use Both?

Yes. Some memorial pages include both a charity link and a family support fund.

If you go this route, keep the framing clear. For example:

In lieu of flowers, donations to [Charity Name] can be made here. For those who have asked how to support the family directly, a support page is linked below.

Separating the two options prevents confusion and lets visitors choose what feels right for them. Not everyone will give, but having both respects different relationships and different instincts.

For more phrasing options, see memorial donation wording examples and funeral fundraiser wording examples — both have language you can adapt directly.

Questions That Help You Decide

If you are unsure, ask:

What would feel most true to the person?

If they had a cause they cared about deeply, a charity may feel right.

What does the family most need right now?

If the family needs support with costs, a fundraiser may be more honest and helpful.

What will visitors expect?

If the community is already asking how to help the family, a support fund may feel more natural than a charity link.

What to Do If the Family Disagrees

It happens. One person wants to honor a cause the deceased cared about. Another thinks the family needs the money more.

A few things that help:

• Acknowledge both instincts openly. Neither is wrong.
• If finances are tight but someone still wants a charity option, use both — charity first, family fund second.
• Remember that the two choices are not in competition. They reflect the same impulse: wanting to do something meaningful after a loss.
• If you can not agree, give the decision-maker final say. The donation section is secondary to the memorial itself.

Keep the Wording Gentle Either Way

Whether the link goes to a charity or a fundraiser, the memorial page can frame it respectfully.

For example:

Charity

Donations in Michael's memory may be made to the rescue organization he supported for many years.

Family fundraiser

For those who have asked how to help, the family has shared a support page below.

The wording does not need to over-explain. It just needs to make the purpose clear.

A Memorial Page Helps Keep the Choice in Context

When the donation link appears alongside the person's story, photos, and memorial details, people understand it better.

That context matters. A link buried in a text announcement is easy to skip. The same link on a memorial page, next to a photo of the person, tends to land differently. It makes the giving feel connected to remembrance instead of separate from it.

For more on setting this up, see how to add a donation link to a memorial page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a memorial page include both a charity and a family fundraiser?

Yes. You can list both on the same page. Keep the wording simple so visitors understand which link does what. A brief line introducing each is usually enough.

Is it inappropriate to fundraise for the family on a memorial page?

No. When someone dies unexpectedly, funeral costs, lost income, and other immediate expenses are real. A family fundraiser is a direct and honest way to let people help. Most visitors who cared about the person are glad to have a concrete way to contribute.

What platform should families use for a memorial fundraiser?

GoFundMe is the most widely recognized option. A few memorial-specific platforms also support fundraising. What matters most is that the link is easy to share, clearly labeled, and managed by someone the family trusts.

Should I include a donation section if nobody asked for one?

Only if it fits. Not every memorial needs a donation link. If you are not sure, leave it out — you can always add it later. Most memorial page tools let you update the content after publishing.

What is the difference between "in lieu of flowers" and a memorial fundraiser?

"In lieu of flowers" usually signals that the family prefers a donation to a cause rather than cut flowers at a service. A memorial fundraiser typically refers to a direct support fund for the surviving family. Either can appear on a memorial page; the phrase you use sets the tone.

If you want a memorial page that can hold either kind of link clearly, QuickMemorial lets families add an external donation section and explain it in their own words.