For families facing an uninsured repatriation, crowdfunding has become a common way to contribute to costs. It is not a complete solution – the funeral director still needs a deposit upfront – but it can take meaningful pressure off the family in the days and weeks that follow.
This guide is for families considering whether to crowdfund, and how to do it well if they decide to.
When crowdfunding makes sense
Crowdfunding is most effective when three conditions are present. First, there is a clear and specific funding need. Second, the family has a sufficiently large network of friends, colleagues, extended family, and community contacts to spread the campaign. Third, the family is comfortable being public about the situation.
Where all three are present, repatriation crowdfunding can raise several thousand pounds quickly. Some campaigns reach modest targets (GBP 2,000 to 4,000) within days. Larger targets typically take longer and may not reach 100 percent.
Crowdfunding is less effective when the family network is small, when there is reluctance to discuss the situation publicly, or when the campaign cannot be set up quickly. It is rarely a primary funding source for repatriation – more commonly a contribution alongside family resources, employer support, or borrowing.
Choosing a platform
The two most commonly used UK platforms for personal crisis fundraising are GoFundMe and JustGiving. Both have established mechanisms for personal causes and both have been used for repatriation campaigns.
GoFundMe is the larger of the two for personal causes and tends to be more widely recognised. Its fee structure is straightforward: platform fees on transactions, with the option for donors to add a tip. JustGiving has a stronger reputation for charity and community causes, though it also handles personal campaigns.
In most cases, the choice comes down to which platform the family’s network is most familiar with. There is no major functional difference for a small to medium repatriation campaign.
Local community platforms exist in some areas (mosque or church community pages, regional community Facebook groups, ethnic or cultural community networks). For some families, these reach a relevant audience more effectively than a major platform.
What the campaign should contain
A repatriation crowdfunding campaign that works tells a clear story without sensationalising. The structure that works for most families includes:
What happened. As much as the family is comfortable sharing. Some families share full circumstances; others keep details private. Either is acceptable, but the page should give donors a clear sense of why the funds are needed.
Who the deceased was. A short description that helps donors understand the person being brought home. Photographs make a significant difference to donor engagement.
What the funds will cover. A specific figure broken down: local funeral director fees, international transport, UK reception. Donors give more confidently when they understand the structure.
Who is running the campaign. A named organiser the donors can identify. This is usually a family member or close friend with the capacity to manage communications.
How to help beyond money. Some donors cannot give financially but can help in other ways: sharing the campaign, providing local support to family, offering practical help. Mentioning this opens additional channels.
Write in your own voice. Donors respond to authenticity. Polished, generic copy raises questions about who is really behind the campaign.
Running the campaign
The first 48 hours of a campaign typically determine whether it succeeds. Reach is everything. The wider the campaign is shared in those early days, the more momentum it builds.
Identify a small group of people who will share the campaign immediately on their own networks. Family members, close friends, work colleagues, religious community contacts. Ask them directly. Do not assume people will share without being asked.
Provide updates as the case progresses. Confirmation that the local funeral director has been engaged. Confirmation that the body has been prepared. Confirmation that cargo has been booked. Confirmation of UK arrival. Each update reactivates the campaign in donors’ feeds and demonstrates that the funds are being used as described.
Acknowledge donations personally where possible. A short thank-you message from the family means more than the platform’s automated acknowledgement.
Managing expectations
Most repatriation crowdfunding campaigns do not reach 100 percent of target. This is not failure. Even a contribution that covers half the cost takes substantial pressure off the family.
The target figure should be the realistic full cost. Setting it artificially low to encourage donations is counterproductive: it creates the impression the family does not need more, when in reality they may need more from other sources too.
Funds are typically disbursed by the platform to the campaign organiser’s bank account after a short verification period. There may be a delay of several days between donations being made and funds being available. The funeral director will not wait for this. The family will need to bridge with personal resources or borrowing, and use crowdfunded funds to repay.
Practical and emotional realism
Crowdfunding works best for families with strong networks who are comfortable being public. It is less effective and more emotionally difficult for families who are private, or for whom the death involves circumstances they do not wish to publicise.
There is no obligation to crowdfund. Families who decide it is not the right approach for their situation should not feel guilty. Other funding paths exist, including burial or cremation in the country of death, which is a legitimate and dignified choice for many families.
For further guidance, see our articles on repatriation cost without travel insurance and what to do when someone dies abroad without insurance.