How to start a memorial fund in Canada

1 September 2026 | 9 min read Fundraising strategy

In the days after a loved one has passed away, the task of planning a funeral or handling financial matters can seem impossible. If you’re wondering how to start a memorial fund to honour your loved one or help a friend, this article will guide you through the process.

Start a GoFundMe

What is a memorial fund, and what are the benefits?

A memorial is an important opportunity for family and friends to create meaning from loss, strengthen bonds, and celebrate the life of the departed. A memorial fund can also help with burial expenses and ease financial stress during an already difficult time.

While there are some organisations that help with funeral expenses, you can often save time by setting up a memorial fund through a crowdfunding platform. There is no eligibility requirement or approval process to start a fundraiser.

What is the difference between a memorial fund and a funeral fundraiser?

People typically start a funeral fundraiser to help cover the immediate costs of a funeral or burial service. A memorial fund has a broader purpose. It may honour a loved one’s passions by supporting a cause they cared about, establishing a scholarship, or funding a lasting tribute such as a bench or tree in a meaningful location. Both can be set up through a crowdfunding platform and shared with a wider community.

What can memorial fund money be used for?

Memorial fund money can be used to cover funeral and burial expenses, provide ongoing financial support for surviving family members, or honour a loved one’s memory in other ways. Families may choose to support a charity or cause the deceased cared about, establish a scholarship in their name, or create a lasting tribute such as a memorial bench or tree in a public space. Families often set their fundraising goal based on the specific purpose the memorial fund will serve.

Some other benefits of starting a memorial fund online

A memorial fundraiser bridges the gap between those who are grieving and those who want to support them, but aren’t sure how.
Online sharing tools make asking for help easy, without the awkwardness or embarrassment that often comes with asking for money.
A memorial fundraiser provides a central place for people to offer condolences and come together to reflect on someone’s life through photos and written memories.

How to set up a memorial fund

If you aren’t sure how to set up a memorial fund online, these steps will ensure you’re off to a good start:

Pick a platform

Make a list of what features are most important to you, and compare the top crowdfunding sites. Look for a platform with transparent pricing and a straightforward donation process.

Create a compelling fundraiser story

Your fundraiser story is a place where you can talk about the life of the deceased and share special memories. Be sure to create a unique fundraiser title and add images and videos to help tell your story.

The key to a successful fundraiser is to share it with friends and family as much as you can. Use social media, text messages, and emails to get your message out. You can even try online fundraising without social media.

Seven meaningful memorial fund ideas

From public tributes to scholarship funds, these are a few of the most popular ways people use crowdfunding to remember and honour their loved ones.

1. Honour a life and help others

One way to memorialise someone you’ve lost is by helping others. The Scholarship Fund in Memory of Armin Saatchi, for example, Armin’s community created the fund on GoFundMe to establish a Memorial Award for chemistry students at Vancouver Island University. The fund honours Armin’s academic legacy by supporting students based on their research ability, citizenship, and leadership experience.

2. Help a grieving family in their time of mourning

If you know a family that has recently suffered a tragic loss, you can help ease some of the financial pressure they may be facing. After Toronto-area father and son, John Ngoyi Kongolo and Denzel Didier Kongolo, passed away, members of the Greater Toronto Congolese community created a GoFundMe to help their family cover funeral costs and other expenses. More than 900 people contributed, raising over $47,000 to date, to support the family during their time of mourning.

3. Fund hope for a cure

Many memorial fundraisers raise money for research and organisations helping others affected by the same condition. After Patrick Langlois died following a three-year battle with cancer, his daughter Elizabeth created a GoFundMe memorial fund benefiting the Canadian Cancer Society. The fundraiser raised more than $4,600 to date, to honour Patrick’s memory while supporting cancer research and services for people affected by the disease.

4. Create a scholarship fund

Scholarship funds help keep a legacy alive while working to improve the lives of students. In honour of Canadian skier Mikayla Martin, her family started a scholarship fund to help ease the financial burden of young Canadian athletes.

5. Support a loved one’s favourite cause

Many people create a memorial fund to support a cause their loved one cared about most. If they were a champion of the environment, for example, think about establishing a memorial fund that raises money for environmental charities that protect the planet. If they were a science teacher, you could start a memorial fund that supports science education for young children, or offers science internships for first-generation university students.

6. Create a lasting tribute piece

Did your loved one cherish a particular park or public space? If so, you could raise funds for a park bench, public plaque, tree, or other permanent fixture that commemorates your loved one’s life. These types of public tributes celebrate a person’s life and are becoming a more frequent choice in lieu of a traditional funeral service.

7. Pay off outstanding debt

Worrying about how to pay for medical bills and other lingering debt while trying to cope with the death of someone you love can be immensely stressful. The Boyd family from Calgary is just one of many who started a fundraiser to help cover unexpected medical costs and the cost of bringing him home after Greg passed away from cancer while receiving treatment abroad.

Ready to honour your loved one? Explore GoFundMe’s memorial fundraising options.

How to word a memorial fund request

The right wording can help people understand the purpose of a memorial fund while keeping the message respectful and personal.

In an obituary or funeral programme: Keep the request brief and considerate. For example: “In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations to [Name]’s memorial fund at [link].”
In a social media post or email: Explain what the fund will support and why contributions matter. Keep the tone warm and specific. Naming expenses, a charitable cause, or another intended purpose can give supporters a clearer understanding of how funds will be used.
On the fundraiser page: Share meaningful memories and photos alongside a clear explanation of the fund’s purpose. Transparency can help build trust with supporters.

GoFundMe’s fundraiser story section lets you bring these details together in one place.

General tips for a successful GoFundMe

There are a few things you can do to help maximise your fundraiser success on GoFundMe, too.

Fundraiser story: Once you’ve set up your GoFundMe and chosen a title and goal, which you can change at any point, you need to write your fundraiser story. This is the place where you set out why you’re fundraising and why it is a cause that is important to you. Go into as much detail as you feel comfortable with. These personal touches are often what encourage people to donate. You can also personalise your fundraiser story with pictures and video. In the case of a memorial fund, consider including details about the person you’re honouring.
Share on social media: Sharing on social media is a great way to get as many eyes as you can on your fundraiser. Post on your socials when you’ve set up the fund, but also when you have any updates too.
Post updates: Posting updates is a really important way to keep your supporters updated on what you’re doing, but also to keep your fundraiser looking active. In the case of a memorial fundraiser, consider keeping those who’ve contributed updated about the funeral or memorial service.
Thank your supporters: This is a really important one. Make sure to say thank you to your supporters. You can do this through your GoFundMe account or even better, by sending a personalised email or letter saying what their contribution means to you and your fundraising.

Lessen the burden: Start a fundraiser for someone you know

Settling financial matters, fielding condolence messages, and planning a funeral can feel like a lot to handle while also coping with death. A memorial fund allows you to help someone who is grieving in a simple, supportive way.

Here are some tips to remember when starting a memorial fundraiser on behalf of someone else:

Read over our Funeral and Memorial Fundraising Tips.
Research the cost of funeral services so you have a general idea of what your fundraising goal should be, or talk to the family directly.
Ask them what they need most, and then provide supporters with a list on the fundraiser page.
Use your online memorial fund as a space to update supporters with information on funeral plans, dates, and specific ways they can help offline.
Be sure to include your connection to the beneficiary of the fundraiser, and how you plan on getting the funds to them. It’s important to be completely transparent.

Honour your loved one’s legacy today

Whether you need to offset funeral costs or you just want to support a grieving friend, GoFundMe memorial fundraising can eliminate financial stress and provide comfort in the midst of tragedy. Start your memorial fundraiser today.

Start a memorial fundraiser