To set up a memorial fund, create a page with the person's name, a photo, and a short story, connect the bank account where gifts should go, and share one link. With Memorial Fund it takes about five minutes, there is no goal to set, and every gift goes straight to the family.
What a Memorial Fund Is
A memorial fund collects gifts in honor of someone who has died. The money goes to their family to help with whatever they need most, like funeral costs, household bills, or the kids' future.
It also answers the question everyone asks after a loss: how can I help? One link gives friends, coworkers, and neighbors a clear way to show up for the family.
When my brother Steve died, it took our family days to find a way to collect gifts. People kept asking how they could help, and we did not have an answer yet. If you are reading this in the first few days, know that the page does not need to be perfect. Get it live, share the link, and add more later.
Sam Farrington, FounderBefore You Start
You only need a few things. Everything else can be added later.
- Their full name and a favorite photo.
- A few sentences about who they were.
- Service times and places, if they are set.
- The bank account where gifts should go. This can be yours or a family member's.
The Steps
- 1Add their name and a photo
Choose a photo that feels like them, not a formal portrait. It also becomes the picture people see when the link is shared.
- 2Tell their story
A few sentences is plenty. Say who they were, what they loved, and how gifts will help. You can add more at any time.
- 3Add service details
Include the visitation, funeral, vigil, or celebration of life so people know where to be. Each event gets its own directions link.
- 4Connect a bank account
Gifts go straight to the account you choose through Stripe. The identity check takes about ten minutes.
- 5Share one link
Text it, post it, add it to the obituary, and print the QR code for the service program.
Who Should Set It Up
Often it is not the spouse or parent. It is a sibling, a close friend, or an adult child who has a little more room to think that week. You can set up the fund and invite the family member who should receive the money to connect their own bank account.
Deciding What the Fund Is For
Families usually choose one of a few purposes. Naming it clearly helps people give with confidence.
- Funeral and memorial costs.
- Help for the household in the months ahead.
- The children's education and future.
- A cause the person cared about, given through the family.
Common Questions
How much does it cost to set up a memorial fund?
Setting up a fund on Memorial Fund is free. Each gift has card processing plus a 1% platform fee, and donors can choose to cover the fees.
Do I need to set a fundraising goal?
No. There is no goal to set. People give what they want, and the page shows how much has been given.
Can more than one person manage the fund?
Yes. You can invite family members with one link so the work does not all fall on one person.
Are memorial fund gifts tax-deductible?
No. Gifts go to a family, not a charity, so they cannot be deducted on the giver's taxes.