An end of life planner so your loved ones aren't left guessing

When someone dies without a plan, the people closest to them are left to make dozens of decisions in a hard week, often wondering what their loved one would have wanted. An end of life planner is a simple way to take that weight off them. It's a record of your wishes and practical details, kept somewhere your loved ones can find it.

What is an end of life planner?

An end of life planner is a guided record of everything your loved ones may need to know when you die, or if you can no longer speak for yourself. Some people use a printed book or workbook. Others use an online planner that they can update over time and share with someone they trust.

It isn't a legal document on its own. Your will, advance care directive and enduring power of attorney still need to be made the proper way for your state. A good planner works alongside them, so your loved ones know these documents exist and where the originals are kept.

What to include in your plan

• Your funeral wishes. Burial or cremation, the kind of farewell you'd like, music, readings, and who you'd like to lead it.
• Anything you don't want. This is often just as helpful to your loved ones as what you do want.
• Where your important documents are. Your will, advance care directive, enduring power of attorney, insurance and super details, and who your solicitor is. See how to store important documents for your family.
• Your digital accounts. Which accounts you have and what you'd like done with them. Our guide to digital accounts and passwords explains how to do this safely.
• Who to call. The people and organisations your loved ones should contact.
• Your words. A letter to the people you love, notes for your eulogy, or a draft of your death notice.
• Your story. Memories and photos you'd like to pass on.
• Your trusted person. The person who will open your plan when the time comes.

A paper planner or an online one?

A printed planner is easy to start and easy to hand to someone. The difficulty is keeping it up to date, and making sure your loved ones know where it is when they need it.

An online planner can be changed whenever your wishes change, keeps your documents and words in the same place, and can be opened by the person you choose. Many people use both: they keep their plan online and print a copy to keep with their important papers.

How Remember Well• works for planning ahead

Remember Well• is an Australian end of life planner you can start for free. On a free account you can:

• start recording your wishes and print them
• use the will planner to think things through before you see a solicitor
• read the advance care directive and enduring power of attorney guides, with the right form for your state
• answer the writing questions to put your letter and eulogy notes together
• see typical funeral costs, so your loved ones know what to expect

With Access, one payment of $149 for 12 months, your whole plan is saved, including encrypted copies of your will and papers. You can choose your trusted person, get AI writing help with your letter, eulogy notes and death notice, and invite loved ones to help. See pricing for everything included.

Getting started

Prefer paper to start? Print our funeral wishes checklist, or read how to plan your own funeral. Begin with the part that feels easiest. For many people that's their funeral wishes, or a short list of where things are kept. If you'd like to talk it through with family first, our guide to talking about funeral wishes has some gentle ways to start the conversation.