End-of-Life Planning Checklist: Everything You Need to Organise

Nobody likes to think about it. But the truth is, the more you organise now, the less your family will have to deal with later. This checklist covers the eight key areas of end-of-life planning. You do not need to do everything at once — but having a record of your wishes and important information in one place can make an enormous difference when the time comes.

1. Your Will

• Do you have a valid, up-to-date will?
• Does your will reflect your current wishes? (Think about any changes since it was last written — new grandchildren, a house move, a divorce.)
• Have you named an executor? Do they know they have been named?
• Where is your will stored? Does anyone else know where it is?
• If you live in Scotland, are you aware of the rules around Legal Rights (legitim) which cannot be overridden by a will?

2. Power of Attorney

• Have you set up a Continuing Power of Attorney (financial decisions) and/or a Welfare Power of Attorney (health and care decisions)?
• In Scotland, power of attorney must be registered with the Office of the Public Guardian before it can be used.
• Have you discussed your wishes with your appointed attorney?

3. Funeral Wishes

• Do you have a preference for burial or cremation?
• Do you have a preferred funeral director?
• Have you thought about the type of service — religious, humanist, celebration of life, or something else?
• Do you have preferences for music, readings, flowers or dress code?
• Have you considered donating your body to medical science? (This requires registration in advance.)
• Have you pre-paid for your funeral, or set aside funds?

4. Financial Information

• Do you have a list of all your bank accounts, savings accounts and ISAs?
• Do you have a record of any investments, shares or bonds?
• Do you have life insurance? Where is the policy?
• What pensions do you have, and who are the nominated beneficiaries?
• Do you have any debts, loans or mortgages?
• Where is your most recent tax return or correspondence from HMRC?

5. Digital Assets

• Do you have a list of your online accounts — email, social media, cloud storage?
• Do you have cryptocurrency or digital investments? Where are the keys or recovery phrases stored?
• What subscriptions do you pay for? (Streaming, software, memberships)
• Do you have important files stored in the cloud (Google Drive, iCloud, Dropbox)?
• Have you set up legacy contacts or inactive account managers on any platforms?

6. Nominated Contacts

• Who should be contacted first when something happens to you?
• Who is your next of kin?
• Who is your solicitor?
• Who is your GP?
• Who is your employer or business partner?
• Do your nominated contacts know that they are nominated, and do they know where to find your information?

7. Personal Messages

• Are there things you would like to say to specific people — a partner, children, grandchildren, friends?
• Would you like to leave a message for a future milestone — a wedding, graduation, or birthday?
• Even a short letter can mean the world to the people left behind.

8. Practical Information

• Where are your important documents stored (passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate, property deeds)?
• What regular payments or direct debits do you have?
• Do you have pets? Who would care for them?
• Are there household tasks or information that only you know about (boiler service, alarm codes, where the stopcock is)?