How We Can Help Eliminate the GoFundMe Crisis in Our Communities

By Prince Gandomessi

If you’ve ever lost someone—or watched a family member lose someone—you’ve probably seen the GoFundMe link.

It’s shared in a rush, with a photo of the loved one and a plea: “Please help us raise funds for the funeral.” And every time we see it, our hearts break. Because we know that pain. We’ve lived it. But here’s what hurts even more:

This has become normal in our communities. Expected. Routine. Almost automatic.

And it doesn’t have to be.

Why This Keeps Happening

Most families don’t plan for death. They’re barely keeping up with life.

We’ve been taught to hustle, survive, and make it to payday. But we’ve never been taught how to build a financial safety net. We don’t talk about life insurance. We don’t talk about estate planning. We don’t talk about what happens when someone passes away—and the cost that comes with it.

The truth is, funerals are expensive. Final expenses can reach $10,000 or more. And when there’s no plan, no insurance, and no savings in place—GoFundMe becomes the only option left.

But GoFundMe isn’t a financial strategy. It’s a desperate cry for help. And as a community, we deserve better.

What We Can Do Instead ?

The first step is simple but powerful: talk about it.

Talk about what happens if something happens. Talk about what your family would need. Talk about the cost of final expenses, and how you can protect each other with even the most basic life insurance policy.

Most people believe life insurance is expensive. But there are policies that cost less than your monthly phone bill—and give your family peace of mind that money can’t buy.

We can also teach our children, our friends, and our neighbors that planning ahead is love in action.

It’s not morbid. It’s not negative. It’s wisdom. And it’s freedom.

Why This Matters So Much

When a family is grieving, they shouldn’t have to worry about funeral costs. They shouldn’t have to beg. They shouldn’t have to set up fundraisers just to bury someone with dignity.

We eliminate the GoFundMe crisis by being proactive instead of reactive.

We take back control by putting education and preparation at the center of our conversations.

We break the cycle by learning how money works, getting protected, and helping others do the same.

Final Thought

GoFundMe has saved a lot of families in times of emergency. But it should be the exception—not the plan.

We can build a community where our families are covered, our children are protected, and our legacies are intentional.

It starts with a conversation. It grows with action.

Let’s end the GoFundMe crisis—not by blaming, but by building.

Together, we can change the story.