In Memory donations

We have several ways you can give in memory of a loved one.

• You can send in a one-off donation
• You could set up an online tribute fund
• You could collect donations in person with a funeral fund
• You could organise or take part in an event in memory of a loved one

We’re really grateful that you’ve thought of us during this time. Because of your support, we can continue to support people in housing crisis, and keep on campaigning for safe, secure, affordable housing for everyone. Thank you.

How to make a donation

Giving a donation in memory of a loved one is a wonderful way to pay tribute to their life. It’s simple and stress-free, whether you choose to leave a gift in your will or organize a funeral collection gift. And every amount we receive, no matter how small, helps us continue our vital work supporting people facing homelessness.

The difference your thoughtful donation could make:

• £30 could pay for a face-to-face advice session with a Shelter adviser.
• £50 could pay for five families to get support from our helpline and help them get back on their feet.
• £157 could pay for one family to get the vital legal advice they need to keep their home.
• £250 could pay for 10 families get the face-to-face advice they need to avoid losing their home.

How to set up a tribute fund

An online tribute fund is a website for you and your relatives to remember your loved one by sharing pictures, music, and memories while raising money for us. It’s a lovely way to memorial to your loved one’s life and support people facing housing difficulties at the same time.

You can set up a personalised tribute fund quickly and easily with our partner MuchLoved. The fund can be left online for friends and family to leave messages and donations for as long as you like, up to 10 years.

How to set up a funeral fund

Organising a collection for us at your loved one’s funeral is a generous and considerate way to ensure their memory lives on long after the flowers have faded.

If you’d like to set up a funeral collection, we can organise for donation envelopes to be posted to you. Just get in touch with inmemory@shelter.org.uk

How to donate through a funeral director

Donating through your funeral director is a simple way to organize a collection. Just let them know that you wish to ask for donations to Shelter in memory of a loved one, and they’ll be able to organize the collection, and the donation to us.

If you don’t have a funeral director that you are familiar with, contact the National Association of Funeral Directors by telephone 0121 711 1343 or by email.

Information for funeral directors

We can provide a number of free materials to help with funeral collections. You can also set up a funeral collection through an online tribute fund webpage. This offers a special way for bereaved family and friends to send condolences and share memories, and a simple and efficient method of collecting for funeral directors.

Organising an event in memory of a loved one

Organising an event in memory of a loved one can be a wonderful way to honour their life. If you would like advice and support on how to raise money alongside your event as well as Shelter branded materials such as balloons and collection boxes which can help you on the day. Lee and Harry, whose words and photos you can see below took part in a group skydive to raise money in memory of their friend Beth, who supported Shelter during her lifetime.

Please get in contact with one of our team via email on inmemory@shelter.org.uk or call us on 0344 5151746, and we would be pleased to help you.

Everyone who did the jump thoroughly enjoyed the whole day. We met some great people, made new friends and raised money in the memory of such a wonderful person, Beth.

Lee - took part in a group skydive in memory

Taking part in an event in memory

We have various Shelter challenge events in which you take part in memory of a loved one, and raise funds for a cause that was close to their heart. You can find more information on our events page.

Our events team can offer you support for your challenge event - if you’d like more information and materials to use to raise money in memory please contact inmemory@shelter.org.uk and we will be happy to help.

Harry participated in a skydive in memory of a friend - photo copywrite: Harry Alford

Where to get help after a loved one has died

If someone you love has died, it can be hard to work out what needs to happen next. You might feel overwhelmed, especially if it might affect your housing situation. To help, here’s where you can go to get practical and emotional support after losing someone.

• I need advice on what’s going to happen to where I live. Our expert housing advisers can help. You can get in touch with our advisers online, in person or on our helpline.
• I want to know if you can inherit a council tenancy. Read clear, helpful information on succession rights when a council tenant dies.
• I want emotional support. It’s normal to feel very upset after a loved one has died. If you’d like to talk to someone, you can call Cruse Bereavement Care’s helpline or get more information from their website.

Requesting donations to Shelter in your memory

If you want to request donations in your memory to us, you should make sure that either you or the executors of your will know, or that it’s included in the details of your funeral.

Find out more about how to leave a legacy gift.

Thank you. Your support means that we can continue to our vital work supporting people and families facing homelessness, and help make a difference to the lives of future generations.

Name of person you’re remembering

We appreciate every in memory donation made to Shelter, and understand that this donation will have meant a lot to you and the person you are remembering.

In order to recognise this, we ask to record the name of the person you’re remembering and any reason you may have for donating. We ask this so we can provide a more personalised thank you letter to you, and to recognise the tribute you’ve made to them and their support of Shelter.

However, if you would rather keep your donation anonymous this is of course fine and we respect your decision.