How Much to Ask For in a Funeral Fundraiser (Setting the Goal)

Set your funeral fundraising goal at the gap between what the funeral will really cost and the money you already have, plus a small cushion for the platform's fees. Get the cost from a funeral home's written statement, not from a national average, and say on the page what the money is for. On GoFundMe in the US, the fee is 2.9% plus $0.30 per donation, so you need to ask for a little more than the bill.

How do you work out the goal?

Work through five steps in order.

1. Get the real total. Ask the funeral home for its General Price List, then for the itemized statement once you've chosen. Under FTC guidance the statement lists each item with its price, each cash advance item separately, and the total cost. Our guide to the General Price List explains how to read one.
2. Add what the home doesn't bill. A burial adds the cemetery's own charges, such as the grave, opening and closing, and a marker. Add flowers, an obituary notice, a reception, clergy or musician fees and travel. The FTC says some of these, such as flowers, obituary notices and death certificates, can be cash advance items on the home's bill.
3. Subtract money you already have. Count savings, relatives' contributions, and any insurance or benefit payment you are sure of. Don't count money that might arrive later.
4. Add a fee cushion. Take the shortfall, add $0.30 for each donation you expect, and divide by 0.971 if the platform takes 2.9%.
5. Round it and say what it covers. Put the figure on the page with a short list of what it pays for.

What does a worked example look like?

These numbers are an illustration, not an average or a quote. They show the arithmetic for a family arranging a direct cremation with a small gathering afterward.

On a $2,750 goal, 40 donations that reached it would cost $79.75 (2.9%) plus $12 ($0.30 each), leaving $2,658.25. That covers the $2,650 shortfall. GiveSendGo's fee is 2.7% plus $0.30, so the same cushion works there too. Platforms change their fees, so check the current page before you rely on the formula.

What do funerals typically cost?

The benchmark most people quote comes from the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA). Its 2023 study found a median of $8,300 for a funeral with viewing and burial and $6,280 for a funeral with viewing and cremation. Those figures cover the funeral home's charges and a casket or cremation container. They exclude the cemetery, a grave marker and cash advance charges such as flowers or an obituary.

The Funeral Consumers Alliance (FCA) says a direct cremation, with no embalming, viewing or visitation, could cost as little as $1,000. For a direct burial it says the burial vault, cemetery plot and interment fees are the most expensive part, and to expect $5,000 or more for them. It also says prices for the same items and services can vary dramatically between homes, so get at least two statements. Our guides to average funeral costs and low-cost funeral options break down where the money goes.

Should you ask for one amount or several?

One clear number for the bill that is due now works best. If you also want to pay for something later, such as a headstone or a larger memorial, say so in a separate update once the main goal is met rather than inflating the first figure.

GoFundMe says you can raise or lower your goal at any time, and recommends posting an update to explain why. A goal far above what your circle can give may make the page look stalled. A goal that matches a visible bill is easier for donors to understand. Whatever you do, put the amount, the purpose and who receives the money at the start of the page. GoFundMe also suggests including the date the funds are needed, such as when a funeral home payment is due.

If you plan to itemize, only list items that appear on your quote. Our guides to asking for funeral donations and funeral crowdfunding etiquette cover the wording.

Will the money arrive in time?

Not always. GoFundMe says setting up and verifying transfers can take 3 to 7 business days or longer, and that once the first transfer is sent it takes on average 2 to 5 business days to reach the bank account. It also says you don't need to reach your goal to receive your money.

Funeral homes often want payment before the service. Don't sign for a package you can only afford if the campaign succeeds. Ask the home what it requires, and see why funeral homes ask for payment up front for ways to bridge the gap.

What if you raise more or less than the goal?

More. Decide in advance what happens to the extra and say it on the page, for example paying for a marker, a memorial or a donation to a charity the person supported. If you changed the goal, post an update. Our guide to setting up a memorial fund covers this.

Less. You keep what is raised. Fill the gap with the other sources in our guide to paying for a funeral, choose a lower-cost option, or read what to do if no one can afford the funeral.

Taxes. The IRS says money received from friends and family as a gift isn't taxable income and shouldn't be reported on a Form 1099-K. Platforms must file a 1099-K only when payments for goods or services exceed $20,000 in more than 200 transactions. Keep your receipts, and ask a tax professional if the amount is large. Our guide to funeral crowdfunding tips covers the tax rules in more detail.

What to do next

1. Get an itemized statement from a funeral home, and the cemetery's price list if there is a burial.
2. Work out the shortfall and add the fee cushion.
3. Start the page with the amount, the purpose and who receives the money, then share it with people who knew the person.
4. Post an update when the bill is paid and say what happened to any extra.