A Memorial-Donation Gift Guide for Giving in Someone's Name
For the person who wants to honor a life by giving in their name — a friend, sibling, parent, or colleague carrying out the wishes of a family, or looking for the right gesture when flowers would ring hollow. These are memorial donations chosen for their substance: each offers a way to mark a loss by giving forward, with a tangible project, a living token, or a card that feels worthy of the recipient’s mantel. The set spans options for different relationships, faith backgrounds, and levels of specificity — from planting a tree to supporting a named cause, from a commemorative card to a fund friends can join over time. Choose the one that fits the story of the person you’re remembering, or the family you’re supporting. You do not need to send more than one.
TMM Editorial · May 2026
The Picks
A Living Tribute — Plant a Memorial Tree in a National Forest
The canonical memorial-tree gift. A Living Tribute plants in National Forests through the National Forest Foundation — the tree restores land damaged by wildfire, and a personalized card goes to the family. The living artifact of an in-memory donation.
Arbor Day Foundation Commemorative Memorial Trees
For the supporter who wants a keepsake to arrive with the gift. The Arbor Day Foundation plants memorial trees in forests in need, and its in-memory gifts come with a card for the family.
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital — Memorial & Honor Donations
The canonical in-lieu-of-flowers American recipient. When an obituary says 'donations to St. Jude in lieu of flowers,' this is the page. You can let the family know with a mailed card or an e-card and a personal message, or give without notifying anyone.
World Vision Gift Catalog/Charity Gifts
Donate a goat, a well, an education kit: a tangible gift made in honor or memory of someone, with a free personalized card at checkout. World Vision is a Christian charity, so it suits a family who shares that faith or has named it.
Compassion International Gift Catalog
For Christian families who want the gift to help children in poverty. You choose a catalog gift such as food, education or healthcare; Compassion directs it to the children with the most pressing needs, so it does not go to one named child. You then send the honoree an honor card: an e-card, a print-at-home card, or a mailed card (US addresses only).
The Salvation Army In-Memory & Tribute Giving
For families who want a tribute page: not just a single donation but a place friends and extended family can give over time. The Salvation Army's UK in-memory page also takes single in-memory gifts and funeral collections in place of flowers.
Save the Children Donation Gifts (Australia)
For Australian supporters making the donation in memory or honor of a child or grandparent. The child-well-being category lands the symbolism cleanly; the e-card or mailed card option fits both quick condolence and a planned memorial gesture.
JustGiving Charitable Giving Platform
The global platform when the recipient's preferred charity isn't obvious. JustGiving's tribute-page format lets supporters consolidate dozens of small donations under one in-memory page — useful for milestone anniversaries when extended family wants to give together.
Alternative Gifts International—Charity Gifting
For the supporter who wants the memorial donation to feel specific — a named project (a water well, a school kit, vetted micro-loans) rather than a general fund. The customizable greeting card lets the giver write directly to the honoree's family.
GiveWell Top Charities Fund
For an honoree who cared about evidence and measurable results. GiveWell publishes its cost-effectiveness research for each charity the fund supports. Plan to tell the family yourself; you can share GiveWell's write-up of what the fund pays for.
Charity Vouchers (UK)
For a UK supporter who wants the family to choose where the donation goes. The voucher can be given to any UK registered charity. E-vouchers and print-at-home vouchers cost the face value plus £1.60 each; posted cards £2.60 each plus £1.80 postage. Vouchers run from £20 and are valid for a year.