Planning for end-of-life can feel overwhelming, but this comprehensive checklist breaks it down into manageable steps. From essential legal documents and financial planning to memorial arrangements and digital assets, our free guide covers everything you need to plan ahead. Research shows that proper end-of-life planning provides peace of mind and prevents families from facing $15,000+ in additional legal costs. Download our printable checklist and start protecting your loved ones today—you don’t have to tackle everything at once.
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Most people put off end-of-life planning because it feels overwhelming or uncomfortable. But having a comprehensive plan in place is one of the most thoughtful things you can do for your family, helping them navigate a difficult time with more clarity and less confusion.
This comprehensive end-of-life planning checklist will walk you through everything you need to consider, from important conversations to essential documents. Remember, you don’t need to tackle everything at once—work through this at your own pace, and don’t hesitate to ask for help from family, friends, or professionals along the way.
Why end-of-life planning matters
End-of-life planning means writing down your medical choices, choosing who can speak for you, organizing your money and documents, and sharing your end-of-life wishes so your family doesn’t have to guess. But end-of-life planning isn’t just about writing a will. It’s a comprehensive process that includes:
- Essential document preparation
- Legal and medical document preparation
- Financial planning
- Memorial and final arrangements
- Personal and digital planning
Research-backed benefits: Studies show that people who complete end-of-life planning experience greater life meaning, profound relief, and lasting peace of mind—describing the feeling as “it’s done” while gaining security that their wishes will be honored and they won’t burden loved ones.
The cost of not planning: Families without proper end-of-life planning face an average of $15,000 in additional legal fees and months of court proceedings—money that could have gone to your loved ones.
What are the key documents involved in end of life planning?
End‑of‑life planning isn’t just one form. It’s a set of documents and simple lists that spell out your end‑of‑life wishes—so your family and care team don’t have to guess. Below is a plain‑language guide to the key documents and what they do.
End-of-life planning documents simplified
| Document / Item | What it does (plain language) | Who it helps most | Who should have a copy | When to update |
| Advance directive (Living will) | Write down what medical care you do or don’t want if you can’t speak for yourself (your treatment preferences). | Your family + doctors | Your care team (doctor), hospital if admitted, and your chosen decision‑maker | After a major diagnosis, new state move, or change of mind |
| Healthcare power of attorney (also called healthcare proxy / medical POA) | Names the person who can make healthcare decisions for you if you can’t. | Your chosen decision‑maker + family | Your decision‑maker, backup person, primary doctor | If your relationship/availability changes |
| HIPAA Authorization / HIPAA Release | Allows your chosen person to get medical information and talk with providers. | Your healthcare decision‑maker | Your decision‑maker, primary doctor | If you change who you trust |
| DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order (optional) | A medical order that tells providers not to do CPR if your heart stops. This is different from a living will. | You + your care team | Your doctor, caregivers, close family | If your health goals change |
| POLST / MOLST (optional, for serious illness) | A medical order that translates your care wishes into specific instructions for emergency care. | You + EMTs/providers | Your doctor, caregivers, keep accessible at home | Any time health status changes |
| Will and estate planning (Last Will and Testament) | Says who gets your property and names an executor (the person who carries out your plan). | Your loved ones | Your executor, trusted family, attorney (if used) | Marriage/divorce, new child, major financial changes |
| Trust (if needed) | Holds assets and can reduce probate time/complexity. Names a trustee to manage things. | Your beneficiaries | Trustee + attorney (if used) | When assets, trustees, or beneficiaries change |
| Financial power of attorney (Durable POA) | Name someone who can manage money/bills if you’re alive but incapacitated. | You + your family | Your financial agent, backup agent | If your agent changes or you move states |
| Beneficiary designations (on retirement, insurance, some accounts) | Names who receive certain assets directly (often outside the will). | Your beneficiaries | Keep a list with your plan; tell executor where to find it | Review at least yearly and after life changes |
| Bank accounts list (and other account inventory) | A simple list of accounts, institutions, and how to access them—so nothing gets missed. | Executor + family | Executor / trusted person | When accounts open/close, or passwords change |
| Long-term care insurance policy info (if you have it) | Record your policy number, insurer, and how to use benefits. | You + caregivers | Trusted family member + financial agent | When coverage changes |
| Letter of Instruction (not legal, but very helpful) | A plain‑English “how to handle my life” guide: contacts, account list, funeral wishes, pets, where documents are stored. | Everyone helping you | Executor, close family | Any time your wishes change |
| Funeral / memorial instructions (includes body disposition) | States preferences like burial vs cremation, what happens to ashes, service style, music/readings. (“Body disposition” = what happens to the body after death.) | Your family | Executor + closest family | When preferences change |
| Digital account plan (includes passwords for online accounts) | Lists important online accounts and how you want them handled (closed, memorialized, transferred). Store passwords securely. | Family + executor | Trusted person who will manage digital tasks | When you change passwords/accounts |
Getting started
These first steps help create a solid foundation for your planning and ensure your wishes are clearly documented.
☐ Letter of Instruction: Create a detailed outline of all specific wishes, preferences, and important information for loved ones
☐ Important Documents: Gather and organize birth certificates, Social Security cards, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, military discharge papers, and insurance policies
☐ Contact Information: Compile a comprehensive list of key people, account details, professional advisors, and service providers
☐ Personal Items: Document instructions for meaningful possessions, heirlooms, and sentimental items
☐ Secure Storage: Establish a secure location (safe deposit box or fireproof safe) and inform trusted individuals of its location
Legal & medical end-of-life planning:
Working with professionals on these items ensures your wishes are legally protected and your medical preferences are understood and respected.
☐ Will: Consult with an attorney to create or update your will
☐ Trust: Consider establishing trusts if appropriate for your situation
☐ Power of Attorney: Designate someone for financial decisions if you become incapacitated
☐ Advance Healthcare Directive: Document your medical treatment preferences
☐ Healthcare Proxy/Medical Power of Attorney: Appoint someone to make medical decisions on your behalf
☐ HIPAA Authorization: Allow designated individuals to access your medical information☐ Guardian Designation: If you have minor children, designate guardians
Financial planning
Organizing your financial information helps ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes and makes the process smoother for your family.
☐ Account Documentation: Create a comprehensive list of all financial accounts, including account numbers, institutions, and approximate balances
☐ Assets and Debts: Document all assets (real estate, vehicles, investments) and outstanding debts
☐ Beneficiary Updates: Review and update beneficiary information on all accounts, including retirement accounts and investment portfolios
☐ Life Insurance: Review and update life insurance policies and beneficiaries
☐ Credit Cards: List all credit cards and consider which should be closed
☐ Tax Records: Organize tax documents and inform executor of their location
☐ Digital Assets: Document cryptocurrency holdings, online investment accounts, and digital wallets
Memorial and final arrangements
These choices are totally personal to you, but making—and documenting—them now means your family won’t have to guess what you would have wanted. And having these decisions made ahead of time will create more clarity, and less confusion.
☐ Burial vs. Cremation: Decide on your preference and communicate this clearly
☐ Final Resting Place: Choose cemetery plot, nature-based location, or location for cremated remains
☐ Funeral Services: Consider pre-planning and pre-paying for funeral services
☐ Memorial Service: Outline preferences for type of service, location, music, readings, or speakers
☐ Obituary: Consider writing your own obituary or providing key information for others
☐ Donation Preferences: Specify any charitable donations you’d like made in your memory
☐ Organ/Body Donation: Register for organ donation or body donation to medical institutions if desired
Ready to get started? At Everis, we offer a modern, seamless way to pre-plan final arrangements from cremation to nature-based memorials and everything in between—entirely online with confidence and clarity. Get started preplanning
Personal and digital planning
There are so many practical details in our everyday lives that our families might not know about–from Netflix subscriptions to the electric company to who walks the dog. Documenting these details including account numbers will help family or close friends pay or close accounts on your behalf.
☐ Utilities and Services: Create a list of all utilities, subscriptions, and services including account number and whether they are paid monthly or on auto-payment for easy cancellation
☐ Social Media: Set up legacy contacts on Facebook, Google, and other platforms; document login information
☐ Email and Online Accounts: Document all online accounts with usernames and passwords (store securely)
☐ Digital Files: Organize important digital files, photos, and documents; specify how they should be handled
Financial planning
Organizing your financial information helps ensure your assets are distributed according to your wishes and makes the process smoother for your family.
☐ Account Documentation: Create a comprehensive list of all financial accounts, including account numbers, institutions, and approximate balances
☐ Assets and Debts: Document all assets (real estate, vehicles, investments) and outstanding debts
☐ Beneficiary Updates: Review and update beneficiary information on all accounts, including retirement accounts and investment portfolios
☐ Life Insurance: Review and update life insurance policies and beneficiaries
☐ Credit Cards: List all credit cards and consider which should be closed
☐ Tax Records: Organize tax documents and inform executor of their location
☐ Digital Assets: Document cryptocurrency holdings, online investment accounts, and digital wallets
☐ Long-term care insurance: List policy numbers, insurer contact info, and where the policy is stored (if applicable)
Memorial and final arrangements
These choices are totally personal to you, but making—and documenting—them now means your family won’t have to guess what you would have wanted. And having these decisions made ahead of time will create more clarity, and less confusion.
☐ Burial vs. Cremation: Decide on your preference and communicate this clearly
☐ Final Resting Place: Choose cemetery plot, nature-based location, or location for cremated remains
☐ Funeral Services: Consider pre-planning and pre-paying for funeral services
☐ Memorial Service: Outline preferences for type of service, location, music, readings, or speakers
☐ Obituary: Consider writing your own obituary or providing key information for others
☐ Donation Preferences: Specify any charitable donations you’d like made in your memory
☐ Organ/Body Donation: Register for organ donation or body donation to medical institutions if desired
Ready to get started? At Better Place, we offer a modern, seamless way to pre-plan final arrangements from carbon-neutral cremation to living memorials and everything in between—entirely online with confidence and clarity. Start Here
Personal and digital planning
There are so many practical details in our everyday lives that our families might not know about—from Netflix subscriptions to the electric company to who walks the dog. Documenting these details (including account numbers) will help family or close friends pay or close accounts on your behalf.
☐ Utilities and Services: Create a list of all utilities, subscriptions, and services including account number and whether they are paid monthly or on auto-payment for easy cancellation
☐ Social Media: Set up legacy contacts on Facebook, Google, and other platforms; document login information
☐ Email and Online Accounts: Document usernames and passwords for all online accounts and store securely
☐ Digital Files: Organize important digital files, photos, and documents; specify how they should be handled
☐ Pets: Make arrangements for care of pets, including funding for their continued care
☐ Personal Letters: Consider writing letters to loved ones for future milestones or special occasions
☐ Digital Subscriptions: List all digital subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify, etc.) for cancellation
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Annual review
Your end-of-life plan isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it document—life changes, and your plan should evolve with it. Beyond yearly check-ins, update your plan immediately after major life events like marriage, divorce, the birth of children or grandchildren, significant financial changes, health diagnoses, or relocating to a new state.
☐ Review and update all documents as necessary
☐ Confirm beneficiary designations are current
☐ Update contact information for all advisors
☐ Review financial account information
☐ Reassess memorial and burial preferences
☐ Update digital account passwords and legacy contacts
If you only have 10 minutes today
If you only have 10 minutes today, start with these four high-impact tasks that will give your loved ones the most critical information they need.
☐ Pick your healthcare power of attorney (and a backup)
☐ Write down where your bank accounts are (just the institution names is fine to start)
☐ Write 3 bullet points of your end‑of‑life wishes (medical care, cremation/burial, who to call)
☐ Choose where you’ll store your documents and who gets access
Take action on your end-of-life plan
Creating a comprehensive end-of-life plan requires time and effort, but it’s one of the most loving acts you can perform for your family. Start with the basics—gather important documents and have initial conversations with loved ones.
Remember: you don’t need to complete everything at once. Work through this checklist at your own pace, and don’t hesitate to seek professional help when needed. Download our printable end-of-life planning checklist and begin organizing your important documents today.
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