Donations

Many families choose to invite donations to a charity or cause that was important to the person who died. Donations may be requested instead of flowers or alongside them.

There is no obligation to collect donations. The arrangements should reflect the wishes of the person who died and those closest to them.

Choosing a charity or cause

Consider whether the person:

• Supported a particular charity.
• Received care from a hospice, hospital or community organisation.
• Had a personal connection with a particular illness or cause.
• Supported a local club, church, community group or animal charity.
• Left instructions about charitable donations.

Before publishing the details, confirm the organisation’s correct name and check that any website or donation link is genuine.

If the organisation is a registered charity, you can check its details through the Scottish Charity Register.

Donations instead of flowers

If the family would prefer donations instead of funeral flowers, this should be stated clearly in the funeral notice.

For example:

Family flowers only, please. Donations, if desired, may be made in memory of [name] to [charity].

If both flowers and donations are welcome, the wording could say:

Flowers are welcome, or donations may be made in memory of [name] to [charity].

Ways to collect donations

Donations may be made:

• Directly through the charity’s official website.
• Through a secure online tribute or funeral-notice page.
• Using a collection box at the funeral service or reception.
• By cheque made payable directly to the charity.
• Directly to the charity by telephone or post.

The family should decide who will be responsible for collecting, recording and forwarding any money.

If Abercorn Funeral Services is asked to help with funeral donations, we will explain the available arrangements before the notice is published.

Online donation pages

An online donation or tribute page can make it easier for people who cannot attend the funeral to contribute.

Before sharing a page:

• Check that the charity name is correct.
• Use a recognised and secure donation service.
• Check whether the service charges any fees.
• Make sure the page clearly identifies the person being remembered.
• Test the link before adding it to a funeral notice.
• Decide whether the total raised and donors’ names should be visible.
• Avoid publishing personal bank details.

Online pages may remain accessible after the funeral, so the family should understand how the page can be closed or managed later.

Cash donations

If cash is collected at the funeral:

• Use a secure and clearly labelled collection box.
• Arrange for two appropriate people to count the money together.
• Keep a written record of the total.
• Pay or deliver the money to the chosen organisation promptly.
• Request a receipt or acknowledgement where possible.

Do not leave a collection box unattended or in an unlocked vehicle.

Gift Aid

Gift Aid may allow a registered charity to claim additional money from eligible donations made by UK taxpayers.

Gift Aid normally requires the individual donor to provide the charity with a valid declaration. It cannot automatically be claimed on anonymous cash placed in a general collection box.

The charity or online donation service can explain its current Gift Aid arrangements. Abercorn Funeral Services cannot provide tax advice or complete a Gift Aid declaration on a donor’s behalf.

Read the UK Government’s guidance about Gift Aid

Telling people about the collection

Donation details may be included in:

• The newspaper or online funeral notice.
• The printed order of service.
• A secure online tribute page.
• Messages sent directly to family and friends.
• Information provided at the funeral or reception.

Use the charity’s official link wherever possible. Be cautious if anyone contacts the family unexpectedly asking for payment details or offering to collect donations.

After the funeral

The family may wish to:

• Tell relatives and friends the total amount raised.
• Thank everyone who contributed.
• Ask the charity for a letter acknowledging the donation.
• Keep the acknowledgement with other funeral records.
• Leave the online tribute page open for an agreed period.

The charity may not be able to provide individual donor details unless the donors have agreed to share them.

We are here to help

Abercorn Funeral Services can discuss how the family would like donations to be mentioned in the funeral notice and service information.

The chosen charity, wording and method of collection should be confirmed before the details are made public.

Edinburgh: 0131 259 2322
Musselburgh: 0131 629 5151

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