Honour Gifts and "In Memory Of" Bequests in Canadian Wills

Last updated May 1, 2026 · 2 min read
Quick answer
A charitable bequest can be designated in honour of (typically a living person) or in memory of (typically a deceased person), creating attribution that the recipient charity uses in donor walls, annual reports, and memorial programs. The will language specifies — '$10,000 to [Charity] in memory of [Person Name].' Some charities create permanent recognition for substantial in-memory gifts (memorial plaque, named scholarship, etc.). The charity also typically notifies the honoree's family of the gift, which can be a meaningful gesture of connection.

For Canadians who want to honour a person through their philanthropy — recognizing a living mentor, memorializing a deceased family member, perpetuating a person's values — attribution language transforms a standard charitable bequest into a personal tribute. The mechanics are simple; the impact for both the charity and the honoree's family can be meaningful.

Will language

Standard attribution patterns:

In memory of (deceased) — "I give to [Charity] the sum of $[Amount] in memory of [Person Name]."

In honour of (living) — "I give to [Charity] the sum of $[Amount] in honour of [Person Name]."

With purpose tied to honoree — "I give to [Charity] the sum of $[Amount] in memory of [Person Name], to fund the [Specific Program/Scholarship/Memorial Fund]."

What the charity does with attribution

Most major Canadian charities have established processes for in-memory and honour gifts:

  • The attribution is recorded in donor records
  • The honoree (or honoree's family) is typically notified of the donation
  • The donation may be included in annual reports, donor walls, or other recognition (with attribution; donor's identity may be disclosed or kept private per donor preference)
  • For substantial gifts, the charity may discuss permanent recognition (memorial plaque, named program, named scholarship)

Family connection

For in-memory bequests, the notification to the honoree's family is often meaningful. Knowing that someone made a deliberate gift in honour of a deceased loved one — particularly years after the death — can be a significant gesture of connection. Many family members hold onto these notifications and appreciate them deeply.

Memorial campaigns and programs

Some charities operate specific memorial programs:

  • Named scholarship funds
  • Memorial gardens or physical memorials
  • Annual memorial events (lectures, races, dinners)
  • Research funds in honour of specific donors

For donors whose in-memory gift is substantial enough, discussing permanent recognition with the charity's planned-giving office can result in lasting recognition.

Multiple in-memory bequests

The will can include multiple in-memory bequests:

  • "$5,000 to [Cancer Charity] in memory of [Parent Name]"
  • "$5,000 to [Education Charity] in memory of [Teacher Name]"
  • "$5,000 to [Religious Community] in memory of [Spouse Name]"

Each is a separate bequest with separate attribution. The charity (or charities) administers each as a distinct gift.

What we focus on at It's Simple Will

The will questionnaire supports attribution language in charitable bequests, capturing both the charity and any in-memory or in-honour attribution.

Citations & sources

  1. [1]Canadian Association of Gift Planners — CAGP
  2. [2]CanadaHelps — Memorial donations — CanadaHelps

Frequently asked questions

What is an honour gift vs. an in-memory gift?

An 'honour gift' (sometimes 'in honour of' or 'tribute gift') is typically made in recognition of a living person — a wedding anniversary, retirement, milestone birthday, achievement. An 'in memory of' gift is made in recognition of a deceased person. Both are charitable gifts to a registered Canadian charity; the attribution language is the only difference.

How is the attribution structured in a will?

The will specifies the gift, the charity, and the attribution. Example — 'I give the sum of $25,000 to [Charity Name] (Registered Canadian Charity

Does the honoree (or the honoree's family) know about the gift?

Typically yes. Most charities notify the honoree (for honour gifts) or the honoree's family (for in-memory gifts) of the donation, usually without disclosing the specific amount unless the donor requests. This notification is often meaningful — the honoree's family appreciates that someone made a gift in their loved one's memory.

Can I direct the use of the in-memory gift?

Yes, with the same restricted/unrestricted considerations as any charitable bequest. Common in-memory restrictions — establish a named scholarship, fund research in a specific area (often related to the deceased's cause of death), create or contribute to a memorial program. The charity may also have specific programs for in-memory gifts.

What if multiple people make in-memory gifts to the same charity?

Common pattern. The charity tracks and may pool the gifts into a named fund, memorial program, or simply acknowledge each individual gift to the family. Some charities create memorial campaign pages that aggregate gifts in memory of a specific person.

Should I have my own in-memory bequest plan?

Some Canadians include 'in memory of' bequests for deceased family members in their own wills — continuing the memorial across generations. This is meaningful but unusual; most in-memory gifts are made by survivors specifically rather than continued through wills.

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