End of Life Planning Checklist: What to Prepare Before It Happens
3 sections · Expert-curated · Free
Legal Documents
Advance directive (living will) — your m...
Healthcare power of attorney — who makes...
Durable financial power of attorney — wh...
Will or trust — how assets are distribut...
Beneficiary designations on all accounts
Funeral and Memorial Wishes
Burial vs cremation
Type of service (religious, celebration ...
Specific songs, readings, or traditions
Who should be notified
Organ and tissue donation preferences
Financial Organization
List of all bank accounts with instituti...
Retirement accounts (401k, IRA, pension)
Life insurance policies with company nam...
Outstanding debts and recurring bills
Online account passwords or password man...
+1 more
Track your progress — assign tasks, check things off, share with family
Get my planLegal Documents
These must be done while you are mentally competent.
Advance directive (living will) — your medical wishes
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Healthcare power of attorney — who makes medical decisions for you
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Durable financial power of attorney — who manages your money
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Will or trust — how assets are distributed
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Beneficiary designations on all accounts
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Funeral and Memorial Wishes
Writing these down is a gift to your family.
Burial vs cremation
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Type of service (religious, celebration of life, private)
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Specific songs, readings, or traditions
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Who should be notified
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Organ and tissue donation preferences
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Financial Organization
Your family will need to find all of this.
List of all bank accounts with institution names and account numbers
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Retirement accounts (401k, IRA, pension)
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Life insurance policies with company names and policy numbers
Tap “Get my plan” above for detailed how-to instructions, questions to ask, and insider tips for this step.
Outstanding debts and recurring bills
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Online account passwords or password manager access
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Safe deposit box location and key
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Frequently Asked Questions
When should I start end of life planning?
Now. Regardless of your age or health. Accidents happen, and having these documents ready protects your family from making agonizing decisions without guidance. It takes a few hours and provides peace of mind for years.
How much does end of life planning cost?
A basic will costs $100-500 through an online service or attorney. Power of attorney and advance directive forms are often available free from your state. A comprehensive estate plan with a trust typically costs $1,500-3,000.
You don’t have to figure this out alone
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