Gofundme Good Funeral Funeral Cost: Tips and Resources for Funding

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Black and white capture of a traditional Balinese funeral procession in Gianyar, showcasing cultural rituals and community.
Credit: pexels.com, Black and white capture of a traditional Balinese funeral procession in Gianyar, showcasing cultural rituals and community.

Losing a loved one can be a devastating experience, and the cost of a funeral can add to the emotional burden. On average, the cost of a funeral in the US is around $7,000 to $10,000.

Funeral costs can vary greatly depending on the type of service and location. For example, a traditional funeral with a viewing and burial can cost upwards of $10,000, while a cremation service can be as low as $2,000.

In many cases, families may not have the financial resources to cover funeral expenses, which is where crowdfunding comes in. According to GoFundMe, the average funeral fund raised on their platform is around $5,000 to $6,000.

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Funeral Costs and Expenses

Funeral costs can be a significant burden for families. The average funeral costs between $8,000 and $9,000.

In Canada, the cost of a funeral varies depending on the province. For example, in Ontario, the average funeral cost ranges from $1,500 to $20,000, while in British Columbia it ranges from $1,000 to $12,000.

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Grayscale Photo of A Funeral Procession Accompanied By Soldiers on Street
Credit: pexels.com, Grayscale Photo of A Funeral Procession Accompanied By Soldiers on Street

Families often need to make sensitive decisions after a loved one passes away, so it's essential to have an impartial party present. This can help ensure that all costs are covered.

Here's a breakdown of the general price list for funeral services:

  • Basic service fees
  • Embalming
  • Funeral home costs

Online fundraising can be a quick and easy option for finding assistance with funeral costs.

Financial Assistance

You may be eligible for financial assistance to cover funeral costs through provincial programs. Ontario's Ontario Works can help with funeral expenses such as transfers, cremations, burial plots, and urns or caskets.

Quebec's Special Funeral Expense Benefit is granted if the deceased didn't have financial resources to pay for funeral expenses, with a maximum amount of $2,500.

If you're a resident of British Columbia, a supplement is available to cover funeral costs if the deceased person or associated responsible persons can't afford it.

In Alberta, the government has a fund to help pay for basic funeral expenses for those who cannot afford them, which can be used to cover costs such as a funeral ceremony, transportation, and a cemetery plot.

Men in black coats standing together during a somber outdoor funeral service.
Credit: pexels.com, Men in black coats standing together during a somber outdoor funeral service.

The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Death Benefit is a one-time payment of $2,500 that can be used to cover any costs associated with a funeral, as long as the deceased made contributions to the CPP for at least one-third of the calendar years in their contributory period or 10 calendar years.

You may also be able to apply for charity grants to cover the cost of a funeral, depending on the province the deceased lived in and their personal circumstances. For example, the Last Post Fund's program provides funeral, burial, and grave marking benefits for eligible Canadian and Allied Veterans.

Here are some provincial programs that offer financial assistance for funeral costs:

Crowdfunding can also be a great way to raise funds for funeral expenses, with platforms like GoFundMe allowing you to create a fundraiser and share it with friends, family, and community.

Crowdfunding and Fundraising

Crowdfunding can be a quick and easy option for help with funeral expenses, providing a way for families to connect and heal together while paying tribute to a loved one.

A group of adults dressed in black, holding flowers, at a funeral ceremony indoors, reflecting sorrow.
Credit: pexels.com, A group of adults dressed in black, holding flowers, at a funeral ceremony indoors, reflecting sorrow.

A memorial fundraiser also provides a central place for people to offer condolences and come together to reflect on someone's life through photos and written memories. Thousands of people choose GoFundMe every day to help with expenses like end of life costs, funeral or memorials, or funds to support the family of the deceased.

You can keep more of the money you raise with GoFundMe, with no platform fee, and receive donations to your bank account within just a few days. More than $50M is raised a week on GoFundMe to support people like you.

To set up a funeral fundraising campaign, you'll need to register with the site, create a description of your campaign and upload photos, set a time period and goal for your campaign, and provide bank information so that you can receive the payments. Credit card fees can vary, but most charge around 3%, with some sites charging a per-transaction fee on credit cards along with a processing fee.

Creating a personal connection to your fundraiser will inspire more people to donate, so tell your loved one's story honestly and include why each donation is so important to you and your family. Include the name of the person or family in the title, and list specific funeral expenses to help potential donors understand exactly how their donation will make a difference.

Explore further: Gofundme News

A Pastor Conducting the Funeral Service
Credit: pexels.com, A Pastor Conducting the Funeral Service

To keep your supporters involved, post fundraiser updates to give progress updates on your fundraising goals, write a donation thank you letter to individual supporters, or share a favorite memory of your loved one with a photo.

Here are some key things to consider when using crowdfunding for funerals and memorials:

  • Fees: Some platforms charge a fee and take a certain percentage out of every dollar you raise.
  • Payouts: You can receive donations to your bank account within just a few days.
  • Donation limits: Contributions are not tax-deductible to the donors, but as gifts for tax purposes.
  • Goal setting: Set a realistic goal for your campaign to ensure you meet your fundraising needs.

By following these tips and using crowdfunding platforms like GoFundMe, you can get the financial support you need to cover funeral costs and create a special memorial for your loved one.

Donations and Support from Others

Crowdfunding can help alleviate financial burdens and provide support during a difficult time. You can use platforms like GoFundMe to create a funeral fundraiser and share it with others.

To ask for donations from strangers, focus on the importance of a funeral service for your family and share the story of your loved one. Use a sample template to share your fundraiser on social media, including a high-quality photo and a clear link to the fundraiser.

A touching funeral scene with people paying respects to a loved one.
Credit: pexels.com, A touching funeral scene with people paying respects to a loved one.

You can also ask for donations from friends and family by explaining the costs involved in a funeral service and how any donation will help. An itemized list of expenses can help donors understand exactly how their donations will be used.

A sample template for asking for donations from friends and family is:

"We are absolutely devastated by [First Name]’s passing and are struggling to find the funds to cover the cost of the service. Based on [researching expenses or quotes you’ve received], here is a breakdown of all the costs involved in a funeral service for [First Name]:

[itemized list of expenses]

I’ve started a fundraiser to collect donations for [First Name]’s funeral service—here is the link. [Insert fundraiser URL]"

You can also ask for donations from community members if your loved one was an active member of their community. Use a template to reach out and explain the importance of the fundraiser.

If you exceed your fundraising goal, you can consider donating any additional funds to a charity or organization that was important to your loved one.

Cemetery

A Family Mourning in a Cemetery
Credit: pexels.com, A Family Mourning in a Cemetery

Cemetery costs can add up quickly, especially if you're not prepared. The average cost of a burial in Canada is between $5,000 and $10,000.

You may want to consider the cost of a new plot, headstone, and inscription, which can be upwards of $10,000. On the other hand, if you already own a plot in the cemetery, you can expect to pay around $1,500 to open and close the plot and add an inscription to an existing headstone.

Here are some estimated costs associated with cemetery services:

  • Transfers to a burial home usually cost around $100.
  • Burying someone in a cemetery can cost upwards of $10,000 for a new plot, headstone, and inscription.

Getting Help from Loved Ones

Reaching out to friends and family for financial support can be a challenging but necessary step in planning a funeral. You can start by explaining the situation and the costs involved in a funeral service, as mentioned in Example 1.

It's essential to keep the tone conversational and explain how any donation will help, as seen in Example 6. This will help donors understand the purpose of their contribution and make them more likely to donate. You can also include an itemized list of expenses to break down the costs involved in a funeral service.

Crowd gathered for a traditional funeral procession in grayscale.
Credit: pexels.com, Crowd gathered for a traditional funeral procession in grayscale.

Asking for donations from friends and family can be done in a personal and heartfelt way, as demonstrated in Example 3. You can share a story about your loved one and explain how the funds will be used to give them a proper memorial.

If you're struggling to find the funds to cover the cost of the funeral service, it's okay to ask for help. You can include a link to your fundraiser in your request, as seen in Example 6. This will make it easy for friends and family to contribute to your loved one's funeral expenses.

Reaching out to friends and family can be a difficult conversation to have, but it's often necessary to ensure your loved one receives the memorial they deserve.

Tips and Resources

When creating a gofundme for funeral expenses, it's essential to tell your loved one's story honestly. This will help inspire more people to donate and make a personal connection with your fundraiser.

People Attending a Funeral
Credit: pexels.com, People Attending a Funeral

Including the name of the person or family in the title can also help potential donors find your fundraiser. For example, you could use "Celebrating the life of Jane Smith."

Listing specific funeral expenses can clear up any confusion about why you chose a specific fundraiser goal. This breakdown can also help people understand exactly how their donation will make a difference.

Here are some specific funeral expenses you may want to include in your fundraiser:

  • Funeral service costs
  • Headstone or monument costs
  • Flowers or other memorial expenses
  • Travel costs for out-of-town mourners

These expenses can add up quickly, so it's essential to be transparent about how donations will be used. By following these tips, you can create a successful gofundme for funeral expenses and help your loved ones during a difficult time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does GoFundMe take for a funeral?

GoFundMe charges a 2.9% + $0.30 transaction fee per donation to help cover payment processing. This fee applies to all donations, including those for funeral expenses.

Is $10000 enough for a funeral?

Approximately $10,000 may cover the cost of a cremation and simple ceremony, but the actual cost can vary greatly depending on your choices. Consider the casket cost, which is often the biggest expense, when planning your funeral

Is $20,000 enough for a funeral?

A funeral in Los Angeles can cost upwards of $20,000, but the actual cost may be higher depending on individual circumstances and choices. If you're planning a funeral, it's a good idea to budget more than the estimated price to account for unexpected expenses.

Aaron Osinski

Writer

Aaron Osinski is a versatile writer with a passion for crafting engaging content across various topics. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he has established himself as a reliable voice in the online publishing world. Aaron's areas of expertise include financial journalism, with a focus on personal finance and consumer advocacy.

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