# Charities urged to update funeral support in line with Covid-19 restrictions

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/10/22/charities-urged-to-update-funeral-support-in-line-with-covid-19-restrictions/
- Published: 2020-10-22T09:30:27+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**With Covid-19 restrictions impacting funerals, Legacy Foresight is urging charities
to update their funeral support.**

 

In-memory motivated giving is worth around £2.2bn a year to UK charities, while 
funeral collections account for half of all donations and a third of the total value
of gifts made in-memory. However, this year’s restrictions mean many people have
been unable to attend funerals or give their loved ones the send-off they would 
want for them. As a result, [Legacy Foresight](https://www.legacyforesight.co.uk/)
is predicting that there could be a wave of ‘compensatory’ memorial events in spring/
summer next year or as soon as restrictions are lifted.

## Advertisement

 

To assess the information offered to supporters around funeral giving during the
pandemic, it has reviewed the websites of 40 charities and hospices.

 

 

#### Research findings

 

 * Two thirds of charities made no acknowledgement of the coronavirus pandemic to
   their bereaved supporters, how difficult this might be for them and how the restrictions
   might be affecting their needs
 * Only 10% signposted supporters to the latest Government guidelines on planning
   and attending a funeral – including up-to-date news on restrictions
 * Just one charity offered to support the donor with any future/‘compensatory’ 
   memorial event that they might be considering for a later date
 * Less than two-thirds of charities offered supporters an online collection page
   as an alternative to a physical collection at the funeral – focusing instead 
   on methods that are (at least temporarily) redundant, such as collection envelopes

 

 

#### Advice for charities

 

Legacy Foresight notes that since lockdown began, many funeral directors have been
proactive in offering families the option of an online funeral notice, allowing 
them to collect donations. Online platforms like tribute fund pages are also increasingly
being sought out to memorialise loved ones and donate in their name.

 

It is urging charities to ensure they are also offering support, such as offering
an actual presence – or charity collateral – on the day itself for those planning
future memorials, and offering fundraising platforms to help celebrate, memorialise
and fundraise in memory of the loved one, if they were a supporter.

 

Kate Jenkinson, head of in-memory consultancy at Legacy Foresight, said:

 

> “Charities have an unprecedented opportunity to support families who are planning
> memorials for their loved ones, but they urgently need to make their information
> about funerals more agile and responsive to the times. Offering dynamic and reliable
> information around funeral giving – including relevant donation options – is one
> of the best ways charities can help those who come forward in memory of a loved
> one. It should be a core part of their overall strategy of support in these times.”

 

Jonathan Davies, Trustee of [MuchLoved](https://www.muchloved.com/), added:

 

> “Commemorative postings on MuchLoved tribute pages have more than doubled since
> Covid-19 started as bereaved families suffering severe funeral restrictions look
> for ways to grieve and share memories. With cash or cheque collections often not
> possible, online donations on the pages have also doubled, showing the continuing
> desire to support charities in response to a death. With the ongoing impact of
> Covid-19, we believe there is a particular need and opportunity for charities 
> at this time to reach out to their supporters to provide information and assistance
> with bereavement, both at the time of the funeral and in supporting them afterwards.”