Many families choose to ask for donations to a charity instead of flowers, often as a way of reflecting something the person who has died cared about during their life. This directory lists charities based in Madeira and Porto Santo that families may wish to consider when arranging donations in memory of a loved one, alongside general information on how this is typically organised.
Charities listed here cover a range of causes from animal welfare and environmental projects to health, social support and community organisations across the island. Including a local charity in a notice can be a meaningful way of connecting a tribute to the place someone called home, and can also introduce family and friends overseas to causes active in Madeira that they might not otherwise know about.
If you’re considering this option, it’s worth contacting the charity directly beforehand to understand how they’d like donations handled. Some have a formal “in memory of” donation process, while smaller organisations may simply ask for donations to be made with a note referencing the person’s name. Either way, having this confirmed before the notice is published can make things smoother for anyone wishing to give.
For families publishing a notice through this site, we’re happy to include details of a chosen charity alongside the notice itself. Simply let us know which organisation and any specific instructions the charity has provided when submitting the notice. [TO CONFIRM: exact process/wording for how charity details are included in notices on this platform]
This category is included not to encourage giving, but simply to make it easier for families who’ve already decided this is what they’d like, and for those who might wish to support a cause in someone’s memory.
