This checklist follows the questions families are usually asked in the days after a death. Filling it in now means the people you love can make those decisions knowing what you wanted. It isn't a legal document, and you can change it whenever you like.
The big choices
- Burial or cremation, or another option such as natural burial
- A cemetery, place or anything you'd like done with your ashes
- The kind of farewell: a service, a small gathering, a celebration of life
- Who you'd like to lead it: a celebrant, faith leader or someone close to you
The farewell
- Music you'd like played
- Readings, poems or prayers
- Who you'd like to speak
- Flowers, or a charity for donations instead
- What you'd like people to wear
- Food, drink or a gathering afterwards
Anything you don't want
- Things you'd rather not have at your farewell
- Anything else your family should know
Your words
- Stories you'd like told in your eulogy
- People you'd like thanked
- Your own death notice, or the details for it
- A letter to the people you love, and where it is
Where things are
- Your will, and who has the original
- Your executor
- Power of attorney and advance care directive
- Any prepaid funeral, funeral bond or funeral insurance
- Super and life insurance
- Who to call first
Personal wishes
- Who will care for your pets
- Special belongings and who should have them
- A tradition you'd like kept
Keeping it up to date
Look over your list once a year, or when something changes. If you'd rather keep it online, an end of life planner lets you update your wishes any time and choose who can open them when the time comes. Our guide to planning your own funeral walks through each choice.
This guide is general information only, not legal or financial advice.
Record your wishes now, so your family isn't left guessing
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Start planning aheadBuilt in Australia from lived experience. Your information is private and never shared or sold.