Crowdfunding Funeral Expenses: What Works and What Backfires

Most families don’t set out to start a fundraiser. They arrive there because loss happened fast, and the practical bills arrived even faster. In the same week you’re trying to notify relatives, choose a date, and write an obituary, you may also be asked to make financial decisions you never expected to face.

Crowdfunding can be a compassionate way for a community to help—but only if it’s approached as one piece of funeral planning, not the whole plan. A clear quote, a realistic timeline, and a simple memorial strategy for the ashes (or for a beloved pet) can make the fundraiser feel grounded instead of frantic.

Why crowdfunding feels urgent

Funeral expenses often arrive on a tight timeline. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the national median cost of a funeral with viewing and burial in 2023 was $8,300, while the national median cost of a funeral with cremation was $6,280. Those figures aren’t a rule for every family, but they help explain why so many people look for support quickly—especially when savings are limited or travel is involved.

Cremation is also becoming the most common choice in the U.S. The Cremation Association of North America reports a U.S. cremation rate of 61.8% in 2024, and the National Funeral Directors Association projects a 2025 cremation rate of 63.4%. That trend matters because it changes what families need after the service: not a cemetery plot right away, but decisions about memorialization and the practical question of what happens next with the remains.

What works when you ask people to help

The fundraisers that go smoothly tend to feel human and specific. They tell a short story, name the relationship to the person who died, and explain what the goal covers. GoFundMe’s memorial fundraising guidance emphasizes sharing the story, sharing specific financial needs, and posting updates so supporters feel connected rather than left guessing. Their page on funeral fundraising tips is a useful checklist when you’re trying to write with dignity under pressure.

Specificity builds trust without requiring oversharing. Many families include a sentence like: “Funds will help with cremation and permits, a small memorial gathering, travel for immediate family, and a lasting urn.” If you plan to purchase a memorial item—like cremation urns for ashes plus a few keepsake urns for close relatives—saying that gently can reduce confusion. A dignified, secure container for remains is part of care, not a luxury.

If you need help translating costs into plain language, Funeral.com’s resources can support you without feeling salesy. The Journal guide on how much does cremation cost explains typical fees and add-ons, and the companion article on urn and cremation costs clarifies what is usually separate from the provider’s base quote. When your numbers are clear, your fundraiser goal is easier to set—and easier for supporters to understand.

What backfires (and how to prevent it)

Crowdfunding is public by default, and that can create extra stress. The most common backfires are avoidable: setting a goal before you have a written quote, posting private family conflict or medical details, or leaving donors unsure who controls the funds. When families feel judged online, it’s often because the page is vague—not because the need isn’t real.

Timing can also surprise people. GoFundMe notes that funeral and memorial fundraisers often have a quick turnaround—about 1–2 weeks—so the first few days matter. Their help-center guide on running a fundraiser for a funeral or memorial lays out practical steps that can prevent last-minute confusion.

Finally, keep safety in mind. The Federal Trade Commission advises consumers to be cautious with crowdfunding and to report suspicious activity to the platform. A fundraiser that looks legitimate—real names, clear relationships, consistent updates—protects both donors and the family.

Make a plan the fundraiser can support

If you can pause for one step before posting, ask the provider for a written quote and confirm what’s included. That single document often lowers stress more than any fundraising strategy because it turns fear into choices. Some families choose cremation with a small gathering now and a larger memorial later. Others choose direct cremation and put resources toward travel, a meaningful urn, or a celebration-of-life space. This is still funeral planning; it’s just planning in a way that matches your family’s reality.

It may also help to know your “after cremation” questions are normal. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, among people who prefer cremation, many say they would want their remains kept in an urn at home (37.1%), scattered (33.5%), or split among relatives (10.5%). Those preferences often show up in real families—especially when several people want to keep a portion close.

Choosing urns, keepsakes, and memorial jewelry

Even when ashes are returned in a temporary container, many families eventually want something that feels like a lasting home. Choosing cremation urns for ashes is about stewardship: secure containment, respectful presence, and peace of mind. If you want to browse a wide range of materials and styles, Funeral.com’s cremation urns for ashes collection is a broad starting point. If you want guidance before you browse, read how to choose a cremation urn for practical considerations like placement, travel, and matching materials to your needs.

When multiple people want to keep a portion, “one urn” is rarely the full plan. This is where small cremation urns and keepsake urns support a shared approach. Funeral.com’s small cremation urns for ashes collection is designed for portions or smaller memorials, while keepsake urns are typically chosen for symbolic sharing. If you’ve been overwhelmed by the word “small,” the Journal article on mini, small, and tiny urns explains how to shop by capacity and purpose rather than labels.

For some people, a memorial you can carry is the most comforting option in the early months. Cremation jewelry holds a very small portion, sealed inside a pendant or compartment, so you can keep someone close while you decide on the larger plan. You can browse Funeral.com’s cremation jewelry collection or focus on cremation necklaces. If you want a calm, beginner-friendly explanation of how these pieces work, Cremation Jewelry 101 covers what they’re designed to hold and what to ask before choosing one.

Pet urns and pet keepsakes for ashes

Pet loss is real loss, and families often want the same dignity for a companion’s remains. Choosing pet urns can be a meaningful way to honor that bond. Funeral.com’s pet urns for ashes collection includes a wide range of pet cremation urns, and the guide pet urns for ashes helps with sizing, styles, and personalization. For families who want a memorial that looks like their companion, pet figurine cremation urns blend art and remembrance. If you’re sharing ashes among household members, pet keepsake cremation urns can support that gently.

Keeping ashes at home, scattering, and water burial

After the fundraiser and the service, families often return to the question of long-term placement. Many choose keeping ashes at home because it feels personal and steady. The practical goal is to set up the memorial safely—secure placement, spill prevention, and peace of mind in a home with children or pets. Funeral.com’s keeping ashes at home guide walks through a calm approach that helps families feel confident about day-to-day care.

Others feel called to nature through scattering or water burial. Water burial usually means placing ashes in a biodegradable, water-soluble urn that is committed to the water and dissolves over time—different from releasing ashes directly into the wind. For U.S. ocean burials at sea, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides the federal guidance families typically reference. Funeral.com’s water burial planning guide explains the practical steps and what to clarify before you schedule a ceremony.

Crowdfunding can help with the financial side, but the deeper goal is confidence: a plan that honors your loved one, supports the people left behind, and answers the practical question of what to do with ashes without rushing you into a decision.