Funeral Donations (2024)

FAQs

What is an appropriate donation amount for a funeral? ›

What is an appropriate donation at a funeral? If you are giving a donation in lieu of flowers, then donate the amount you would have spent on flowers. Typically, this means $50 to $100. However, the amount is ultimately up to you because it is the thought that counts and not the amount you donate.

We are all devastated by [First Name]'s loss and were not prepared for the high cost of a funeral service. We want to give [First Name] the memorial [he/she] deserves, to honor [his/her] memory and say our last goodbyes. I am currently asking for donations to help cover the cost of [First Name]'s funeral.

How Much Money is Appropriate to Offer? Usually, people tend to offer $100 or more to grieving families as a token of support.

Find comfort in knowing that people will likely want to help. Funeral donation requests are typically asked when informing others of a loss, within your loved one's obituary, or during the funeral service itself.

That said, while it depends on where you live and how much money you make, the average person donates about 2-5% of their annual income to charity. However, even starting with donating 1% of your income to charity is a great place to begin.

Be sure to include a note with your donation that mentions the deceased, like “In memory of ____.” In most cases, you'll donate directly to a charity. Don't send cash or money to the family unless requested.

Donate to [cause] at [link] and help us [description of where donation will go]. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those in need. I'm raising funds for [organization] because [personal story]. [Cause] means a lot to me, and so would your donation.

A family in need will appreciate any amount of money, so offer as much as you can afford. If you weren't very close to the deceased, you may offer the amount equivalent to a flower arrangement. At the end of the day, it's the gesture that counts the most.

It's general practice to give condolence money or “pek kim” during and not after a funeral. Take note that you're not required to do so, but it's good practice otherwise. But, if you're close with the family, it's within your discretion to provide financial assistance after the event.

Is it appropriate to put cash in a sympathy card? ›

If the family is suffering extreme financial hardship after the death of their loved one, you may choose to include cash or a check with your sympathy card. Sympathy cards attached to a bouquet typically aren't large enough to secure money or checks safely.

How Much Should You Give? The traditional gift is the amount you would have spent on flowers for the service, generally between $50 and $100.

It is a tradition that has been practiced for a long time. The Chinese call such contributions 'pek kim' or 'bai jin', which translates to 'white gold'. As opposed to red packets, which are in vibrant celebratory colours, the white of 'bai jin' is a colour used for mourning.

When the notations “in lieu of flowers, please…” or “contributions to xyz would be appreciated” appear in an obituary, take your cue from the request. You may still send flowers in addition, but if you wish to send only one expression of sympathy, follow the family's wishes and choose the contribution.

The average funeral costs between $7,000 and $12,000. The viewing, burial, service fees, transport, casket, embalming, and other prep are included in this price. The average cost of a funeral with cremation is $6,000 to $7,000. These costs do not include a cemetery, monument, marker, or other things like flowers.

¿Do You Put Money in a Sympathy Card? There is debate on whether you should include money in your sympathy card, and the answer comes down to the grieving family's circ*mstances. Many families donate money to their loved one's favorite nonprofit or charity.

Chinese funeral guests can be expected to give the grieving family money, 奠儀 (diàn yí), at the funeral or one day prior. The traditional gift is an odd dollar amount, starting at $101, in a white envelope. It may be handed to a family member or put into a donation box.