Should You Crowdfund A Funeral?
Posted on: 18 September 2015
When you have a loved one that dies, affording the funeral you truly want to give them can prove to be a burden. Even if you were left some money from their life insurance policy, you might be shocked by how expensive some funerals are. You have the option of crowdfunding, which allows you to get donations from multiple people to help pay for it. Here are some things to consider if you might want to crowdfund the funeral.
You Are Able to Follow Your Loved One's Wishes
A great reason to crowdfund a funeral is that it allows you to follow the wishes of your loved one. If your grandfather always wanted a lavish funeral with all their friends and family members invited, but you can only afford a cremation and simple memorial service, this gives you the opportunity to do as he wished. You can even be detailed on the fundraising site and explain exactly why you are raising the money and that your grandfather wanted certain details included in his funeral service.
Life Insurance Money Can be Used For Other Things
If you got life insurance money following the passing of your loved one, you might have enough for the funeral you want to have, but there might not be much leftover for other things. By crowdfunding the funeral services, you are able to use the extra money for other expenses you might have. If your spouse has passed and they were the sole provider for your family, it can help to have that life insurance money for things like the mortgage, bills, and any other debt. Crowdfunding gives you the opportunity to have money for what you need and plan a memorable funeral.
Some Sites Take a Fee From Crowdfunding
You should also be aware of some of the drawbacks of crowdfunding a funeral. One of the drawbacks is the fact that many of these sites charge a fee. The fee charged by crowdfunding fundraising sites is typically of percentage of each donation. Knowing the percentage, you will need to ask for a higher amount than you really need, just to be sure you can cover these costs. It is also a good idea to look around and find a site that charges the lowest percentage.
You Might be Waiting for Funds
Also be sure you find a crowdfunding site that will allow you to have the funds right away, as well as having the funds even if you haven't met your goal. Some sites have limitations, such as not giving you the money until you have met your goal. This can keep you from paying for funeral expenses if you don't get enough donations. Talk with a funeral home like Elmwood Meunier Funeral Home for more information about your payment options.
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