Understanding Crowdfunding for Funeral Expenses

In times of loss, families often face an unexpected reality—funeral and burial expenses arrive quickly, and the need to make payment arrangements is immediate. For some, crowdsourced fundraising platforms such as GoFundMe, GiveSendGo, or Facebook Fundraisers have become a helpful tool to gather financial support from friends, relatives, and even compassionate strangers.

At Creran Celebration Etherington & Creran Funeral Homes, we understand that every family’s situation is unique. While crowdfunding can be a lifeline, there are important financial, procedural, and tax-related considerations to understand before relying on it as your primary means of payment.

HeartBridge – Creran Celebration’s Exclusive Crowdfunding Program

Unlike public crowdfunding websites that often charge processing fees and delay the release of funds, HeartBridge—exclusively offered by Creran Celebration Etherington & Creran Funeral Homes—provides a fast, fee-free, and compassionate way to receive support from your community. HeartBridge is available directly from your loved one’s online obituary page, making it simple to share and contribute.

Here’s how HeartBridge stands apart:

• No Percentage or Processing Fees – 100% of contributions go directly toward your funeral expenses.
• Direct Payment to the Funeral Home – Ensures immediate application of funds, avoiding delays and uncertainty.
• Convenient Access – Friends and family can give from anywhere by simply sharing the obituary link.

Families can feel confident knowing that every dollar raised through HeartBridge works to honor their loved one without deductions or waiting periods. Please feel free to speak with Funeral Director Dennis C. McGee, Jr. about launching a HeartBridge campaign to fulfill your family’s needs.

Using Crowdfunding for Funeral Expenses

Families may choose to crowdfund for:

• Funeral or memorial service costs
• Cremation or burial expenses
• Cemetery or interment fees
• Related costs such as travel for family members, receptions, or tribute events

However, timing is important. Crowdfunding campaigns on public platforms may take days or weeks to reach their goal—and in many cases, funds are only released to the organizer after processing delays. This can impact your ability to meet payment deadlines with the funeral home. With HeartBridge, funds are available immediately to apply toward services, eliminating this common challenge.

Creran Celebration’s Policy on Payment

Our policy ensures that services can proceed smoothly without delays:

• Payment in full is required on or before the scheduled day of service.
• In the case of no scheduled service, payment is required before the initial disposition (such as cremation or burial) takes place.

If you plan to use crowdfunding to cover all or part of your funeral expenses, starting your HeartBridge campaign right away will help ensure payment can be made within the required timeframe.

Tax Considerations for funding For the Beneficiary/Organizer (person receiving the funds):

• Generally Not Taxable: When donations are made out of generosity with no goods or services provided in return, they are considered gifts under IRS guidelines and are not taxable income.
• Possible Exceptions: If donors expect something in return, or if the campaign is tied to a business or compensation, funds may be considered taxable income.
• 1099-K Forms: Crowdfunding platforms may issue a 1099-K if you receive more than $600 in distributions, but this does not automatically make the funds taxable. Proper reporting on your tax return may be needed to show the funds are gifts.

For the Contributors/Donors:

• Donations to a personal crowdfunding campaign are not tax-deductible unless the fundraiser is run through a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
• Donors giving large sums (over the IRS annual gift exclusion—$18,000 per person in 2024) may have to file a gift tax return, though most will not owe tax due to the lifetime gift exemption.

Pros and Cons of Crowdfunding for Funeral Expenses

Pros

 ✅ Can quickly reach a large audience for support
✅ Allows friends and family from far away to contribute
✅ Creates a space for messages of sympathy and shared memories
✅ Reduces immediate financial pressure when campaigns succeed
✅ HeartBridge avoids delays and fees

Cons

 ⚠ Processing delays with third-party platforms can mean funds aren’t available when needed
⚠ Campaigns don’t always meet their financial goals
⚠ Public sharing of personal details can feel uncomfortable or intrusive
⚠ Not all donors understand that contributions are not tax-deductible
⚠ May still require out-of-pocket payment if deadlines arrive before funds clear

Our Recommendation

If you’re considering crowdfunding to pay for funeral expenses, start early and choose a platform that maximizes the benefit to your family. HeartBridge ensures that contributions are fee-free, immediately available, and applied directly to your balance. At Creran Celebration Etherington & Creran Funeral Homes, we are here to provide compassionate guidance and clear answers, both in planning meaningful services and in helping families understand their financial options.

To learn more or to launch a HeartBridge campaign for your loved one, please speak with Funeral Director Dennis C. McGee, Jr.

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