Guide to in Memory Donations

Why Donate Online?

Donating online enables people of all ages and in all locations to donate. You can share easily through social media and save condolence messages in one place forever. It is fast, safe, and secure. Donating online also increases the amount contributed as most people opt-in to Gift Aid, increasing your donation impact by 25%.

What is Gift Aid?

Gift Aid allows UK charities to claim back the basic tax rate already paid on donations by UK taxpayer donors. It allows charities to claim back from the government 25p for every £1 donated, increasing the value of the donation by 25%.

Donating online eases how you can add Gift Aid to their donation rather than filling out paper forms for cash donations, thus drastically increasing the number of donors who apply Gift Aid to their donation.

If you are eligible for Gift Aid, it is a great way to increase your impact!

How Much Should You Donate?

Just like there is no right thing to say when someone dies, there is no right amount to donate. Any contribution you make will be appreciated by immediate family members and those closest to the deceased. There are a few simple rules of thumb to help you decide.

Donations are gifts not obligations. The desire to donate should come from a sincere wish to honour and memorialise the deceased.

If you decide to donate, gift within your budget and means. It is of course the thought that counts. Only donate an amount you are comfortable with for your circumstances, and do not spend more than you can afford.

What About Cash Donations?

Cash donations should be made with care. Donations made directly to the family can cause additional administrative burden on them during a difficult time unless the family is asking to collect the donations themselves. Recent guidance has also encouraged funeral directors to promote online donations wherever possible. The use of cash generally is declining as more people move to online donations generally and with the expedited push of COVID-19.

What Should You Say in Your Donation Message?

There is no right thing to say, but it is helpful to give your condolences, express sympathy, and share a positive memory of the deceased. After making a donation, you can share a memory of condolence on the memory board of our Support Hubs.

When Should You Donate?

Ideally, you should make your in memory donation as soon as possible while it is still fresh in your mind and helps the family receive notification sooner of your gift. While you can donate at any time and the online donation pages will stay up indefinitely, many families send thank you notes within a few weeks to those who have donated, so if possible it is often best to donate sooner rather than later.

If you have more questions on in-memory donations, please write to us in the chat.