Exploring The Burial Plot Selection Process

Posted on: 13 July 2016

Making a charitable donation in memory of someone who died is a thoughtful way to honor their memory and bring comfort to their survivors. When the family receives the notice from the charity, they'll not only be touched by your thoughtfulness but also by the fact that the person inspired you to make a donation. Knowing that the memory of the deceased is helping to do some good in the world can also help ease their grief, especially if the family has requested donations to a particular charity.

But what if the funeral notice or obituary doesn't mention anything about donating to charity? You still want the donation to be meaningful and appropriate, but even if you knew the person well, you might not know what their favorite charity was. Maybe you didn't know the deceased at all—for instance, your co-worker's parent or your neighbor's sibling—and therefore don't know what causes or organizations they supported. If that's the case, here are some ideas for choosing an appropriate charity.

Health

If the person died of a disease or suffered from some condition in their life, you could donate to a hospital, research facility or association that supports people with that condition. Another option is the hospital or hospice that treated him or her in their last days or the volunteer fire department or ambulance company that may have transported the person. These donations are especially meaningful if these volunteers were with the person when he or she died, for instance, in an accident or fire.

Education

Think of the schools that the deceased attended—colleges and private high schools often have memorial programs and accept donations in memory of deceased alumni. Public high schools may have not-for-profit alumni groups or community foundations that raise funds for various programs and accept donations. You could contact any school the deceased attended to see if they have scholarship programs to donate to.

Special Interests

Even if the deceased didn't have a favorite charity, you might be able to find an organization related to something they enjoyed or that had a positive effect on their life. For instance, if they loved hiking and camping, consider a donation to an organization that takes inner city children to the wilderness and introduces them to hiking and camping. Maybe the person didn't have many hobbies, but you know they adopted a pet from a shelter—a donation to a shelter or rescue organization can help connect another pet with a loving owner.  

These are just some ways to find an appropriate charitable organization. If you don't feel comfortable asking the family or the funeral director, or don't have the opportunity to do so, read the obituary or the funeral home's online memorial or guest book, and try to find information relating to health, education and the person's interests. If you still draw a blank, you can always ask the staff at the funeral home for suggestions on local charities or organizations. After you make your donation, drop a card or note to the family and explain why the deceased inspired you to donate. The family will appreciate your donation, and the fact that you took the time to write and share your thoughts can be very comforting.