Donating to a Charity Post-Mortem

By: Matthew Funeral Home
Tuesday, September 6, 2022

It feels good to help others. Whether you donate your time or money, helping a charitable cause is a good way to help those in need. It is not uncommon for altruistic individuals to leave some sort of charitable donation within their estate plan. Donating to a charitable cause upon death is a way to leave a positive legacy. 

Choosing A Charity

Many people choose a charity near and dear to their hearts. Common choices include charities associated with a terminal illness, religious charities, or a non-profit that helped you in some way throughout your life. 

Donating Money through Your Will or a Trust

When creating or editing your Will, you can set aside monies to be given to different individuals or entities. This includes donations to a charity of your choice. Additionally, you can establish a Trust for the charity. Trusts pay out funds over time, and may even collect interest. Because of this, Trusts can leave a lasting impact that continues to assist the charity long after your passing.

Naming a Charity as a Beneficiary

Beneficiaries to your estate are often loved ones, but charities can also be included as well. This allows individuals to leave assets to the organizations. This can include stocks, real estate, insurance policies, retirement accounts, and more. 

Tribute Donations

Some families choose to request donations in addition to or in lieu of flowers. When planning your estate and funeral plans, you may want to decide which charities should receive these donations. When making a record of this request, be sure to use the formal name, address, and website of the charity. This way, donations aren’t made to the wrong place. You may also want to set up a dedicated fund, to ensure that all donations go to the right charity.

Discuss Plans With Your Estate Planning Lawyer

It is always important to discuss any changes to your estate plan with a qualified and professional estate planning attorney first. They will be able to help you establish plans that make financial sense for you and your family while honoring your wishes. It is also important to discuss major changes to your estate with loved ones, so it doesn’t come as a surprise to them after your passing.

Matthew Funeral Home does not provide legal or financial advice via articles. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for legal or financial advice.
For over 50 years, Matthew Funeral Home has been serving the Staten Island community. We can help with almost every aspect of your loved one’s memorial service. Our family is here to serve yours, every step of the way.

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.
Refresh
Audio

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Do Funeral Plans Go In Your Will?

It is a common misconception that you should put your funeral wishes in your Will. In most cases, the Will is read after the funeral/burial proceedings are complete. If you want your funeral wishes...

Anticipatory Grief and Terminal Loved Ones

When a loved one is sick with a terminal illness, you may experience grief in expectation of their passing. Anticipatory grief refers to feelings of grief and loss when a loved one is expected to ...

Preplanning and Reducing Family Conflict

    Let’s face it. Some family members just don’t get along. Many families have siblings who just can’t agree, or those who simply argue for the sake of it. In times of stress, famil...

Food & Death in the Family

Food is a form of love for many people. From grandma scooping you an extra helping, to parents making sure you have breakfast in the morning. Cooking is often a way to share cultures, support each ...

Burial at Sea: A Guide

Burial at sea is an often-overlooked concept for many New Yorkers, but it is an interesting and unique way to be laid to rest. The New York City area and beyond have many marinas with plenty of cha...

Spring Cleaning After the Death of a Loved One

After a loved one passes, it can be difficult to organize their possessions and decide which to hold on to, what to give to others, and what to get rid of. Spring, a time of renewal, is also when m...

Supporting a Grieving Teen

After the death of a loved one, it can be a challenge for families to support their children through such a change. Dealing with grief and death can be especially overwhelming for teens. This artic...

Where to Scatter Ashes of a Loved One

After a loved one is cremated, some families prefer to scatter the ashes, rather than keep them in an urn. Scattering the ashes of your loved one can provide closure for you and your family. Many f...

Metal or Wood Caskets

\There are many choices to make when planning a loved one’s funeral. The type of casket your loved one is laid to rest in is just one of those many choices. This article will explore some of the ma...

Cremation with Traditional Funeral Services

Families that choose cremation can still participate in more traditional aspects of funeral services. For many families, it can be a difference in when cremation occurs. With some families, the tra...