A Guide on How to Ask for Donations for Funeral Expenses

A group of people hugging at a funeral service

April 15, 2025 | 9 min read Financial Assistance

Loss of a loved one is among the toughest experiences we endure, and with the emotional toll often comes a heavy financial component. With costs of funerals increasingly on the uptick, expenses for embalming, cremation, death certificates, and other services can accumulate pretty quickly. So many families are left wondering — how in the world are we supposed to pay for all this?

Starting a GoFundMe funeral fundraiser can provide immediate relief and a path to honor your loved one’s memory through community support. This guide shares practical tips for requesting donations, as well as message templates to use and information on what expenses you may face as part of funeral planning.

Start a funeral fundraiser

Fundraising to Cover Funeral Expenses

Crowdfunding on a trustworthy platform like GoFundMe is a great way for relatives to band together. It provides them with a place to share stories and ask for help in a meaningful, respectful way.

Creating a fundraiser can ease the financial pressure of covering burial expenses or funeral services. It also supports funeral planning and can help with taking care of the ongoing needs of their family. A GoFundMe page can even become a memorial where loved ones leave messages and tributes.

GoFundMe enables rapid withdrawals, unlike some platforms that take a large fee. It has helped families pay for everything from cremation costs to the cost of a graveside ceremony or hearse.

Once you’re ready to begin your fundraiser, here’s how to reach out to family, friends, and your wider network:

How to Ask for Donations for Funeral Expenses

We know it’s extraordinarily hard to ask for donations during a time of mourning. But the reality is that most people want to help. They just don’t know how to a lot of the time. Here are some ways to ask for funeral assistance gracefully, empathetically, and clearly. These tips can ease the discomfort of posting a request for funds needed for funeral expenses on a personal donation website.

Tell Their Story with Honesty and Heart

Say something about what made your loved one unique. What did they love? What legacy did they leave behind? Emotional storytelling resonates with readers and encourages them to donate even if they do not know the subject of the story personally.

List Specific Funeral Expenses

Sometimes, you’ll get the question, “Where is my donation going?” so try to be clear on the costs. Inform everybody if you’re paying for cremation, embalming, grave marker, a burial container, or travel for out-of-town family members. Giving exact information can help build trust and show your fundraising goal is realistic.

Include Their Name in the Fundraiser Title

Headlines such as “Help with Funeral Arrangements for Maria Lopez” or “In Loving Memory of James Bennett” tend to do better than generic ones. It’s also more convenient for people to search and share with other people.

Share your fundraiser via social media, email, and texting. Add a clear, personal message to every share. Add in details of their funeral ceremony. When you put context into a request, you’re more likely to increase the chance that people contribute — especially if posted soon after funeral planning begins.

Funeral Donation Request (Examples of What to Say)

It can be hard to find the right words during a time like this. Below are three sample templates you can use when asking for support. Each message is crafted for a different audience: one for family and friends, another for the general public, and one for community organizations. You will want to customize them according to your loved one’s personality, funeral arrangements, and what kind of funeral costs you are covering.

1. Message for Friends and Family

This version is best when sent by email or direct message to close family and friends. It balances a warm tone with clear information about how donations will be used.

Subject: Celebrating the Life of [First Name]

Dear [Friend or Family Member],
It is with a heavy heart that I write to tell you that our dear [First Name] died on [Date]. It is a very painful moment for our family right now, and we are trying to arrange for the funeral.

We want to give [First Name] a respectful service that celebrates who they were and how much they were loved. However, the cost of the funeral [include details on embalming, cremation, travel, use of a funeral home, and other related funeral expenses] has created a financial challenge.

To help cover these costs, we’ve started a GoFundMe. Any contribution, no matter the size, would mean so much to us.

Here’s the fundraiser link: [Insert URL]
Thank you so much for your support, kind words, and love.

With gratitude,
[Your Name]

Ideal for posting on your social media accounts or in local communities. It can reach friends, neighbors, coworkers, and others who may want to help but aren’t directly connected to your family.

Post Caption:
Our Dearest [First Name] left us on [Date]. [Name] was an amazing [sister/brother, mother/father, friend, etc.], and [she/he/they] touched so many lives of people around him/her/them. They are survived by [family members].

[First Name] spent [his/her/their] life [add a short story of about what he/she/they did—worked tirelessly to take care of others, volunteered, taught, pursued himself/herself/themselves creatively, made a difference in the world, etc.]. Their kindness, humor, and strength had a lasting impact, and we will miss them every day.

We are all heartbroken over [First Name]’s passing and were unprepared for the expense of a funeral service. We want to give [him/her/them] the memorial [he/she/they] deserve(s)—a meaningful goodbye surrounded by the people [he/she/they] loved. The funeral expenses are high. We have to find a way to pay for [include cremation or embalming, headstone, bills left behind, a burial container, funeral home-related services, and other costs.]

We are actively fundraising to pay for these funeral arrangements and must raise [fundraiser goal] by [date] in order to proceed with the service. If you’re in a position to donate, we would be very grateful. Whatever you can give, it all adds up.

Here is the fundraiser link: [Insert Fundraiser URL]
This will also help us reach more people who knew [First Name], so please consider sharing it as well.

Your kindness and support are greatly appreciated.
[Your Name]

3. For Community and Volunteer Organizations

If your loved one worked with a local nonprofit, school, church, or community organization, this message is also appropriate for outreach to those communities. These friends and supporters frequently want to help you, particularly if your loved one shared time or resources for a cause with them.

Subject: Remembering [First and Last Name]

Dear [Community Group or Organization Name],

As some of you may know, [First Name] was a dedicated and devoted member of [Organization Name]. [He/She/They] also spent time [ describe how they were involved — such as mentoring others, organizing events, or even volunteering every weekend].

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of [First Name] on [Date]. As [his/her/their] [relation], I was not prepared for this loss and the accompanying funeral costs. I’ve created a GoFundMe to help cover expenses like [funeral services, green burial, crematory costs, etc.].

Here is the fundraiser link: [Insert URL]
If you’re able to contribute or share the fundraiser within the community, it would mean a great deal. Should we meet our goal, any additional funds will be donated to [Organization Name] in honor of [First Name].

Thank you for celebrating [his/her/their] life with us.

Warmly,
[Your Name]

Burial Costs: What You Might Pay

When you’re deciding on a goal for your fundraiser, the full scope of funeral costs can be helpful to understand. Here’s an overview of the general price list:

Cremation: $1,000–$3,000
Burial (container or wood/metal casket): $2,000–$10,000
Funeral home basic service fee: $2,300–$2,500
Embalming: $750–$845
Burial costs (burial plot, burial vault, liner): $2,000–$4,000
Transportation (hearse): $300–$500
Obituary & death certificate: $30–$200
Flowers, programs, music: Varies

The average funeral cost can differ depending on your area and the kind of memorial services chosen. Be sure to check with providers in your area for exact pricing.

Even with the aid of life or final expense insurance, Social Security, or a burial allowance, so many families are saddled with out-of-pocket funeral-related expenses that they simply canʼt afford. A good life insurance policy might help pay for some of the costs of cremation, embalming, funeral service, or a burial container, but insurance payouts take time, and not every life insurance or funeral insurance policy has comprehensive coverage.

If your loved one was a veteran, the Social Security Administration pays a one-time death benefit, and veterans with eligibility may receive a burial allowance, depending on their service. But often, their payment can lag months behind and rarely cover the full cost. Because of this, many people have turned to crowdfunding to assist with time-sensitive funeral planning and to ensure their loved ones receive the tribute they deserve.

Find relief from the high costs of funerals

Losing someone is incredibly difficult. Paying for the cost of a funeral shouldn’t be one more burden during a difficult time. GoFundMe can take away some of the financial pressure so you can focus on healing and honoring your loved one.

If you’re ready to get started, GoFundMe offers an easy, secure place to request assistance and get immediate help. Create your funeral fundraiser today and take the first step toward peace of mind.