Why You Need a Final Wishes Planner (And What to Include in Yours)

No one likes thinking about the end of life, but planning ahead is one of the best gifts you can give your loved ones. A Final Wishes Planner helps ensure your family knows your preferences, important documents are in order, and everything is as stress-free as possible when the time comes.

Why You Should Have a Final Wishes Planner

Losing a loved one is already overwhelming, and when there are no clear instructions left behind, it can create additional stress, confusion, and even conflict among family members. Having a final wishes planner ensures that your family isn’t left scrambling to figure out what you would have wanted. Here’s why it’s so important:

  • Reduces stress on loved ones – They won’t have to guess your wishes.
  • Avoids family disputes – Clear instructions prevent disagreements.
  • Ensures your wishes are honored – Your preferences for medical care, final arrangements, and personal belongings will be followed.
  • Makes practical matters easier – All your important documents and accounts will be in one place.

What to Include in Your Final Wishes Planner

A final wishes planner should be as detailed as possible to cover everything your family might need. Here are some key sections to include:

1. Personal Information

  • Full name, birthdate, and identification number
  • Emergency contacts
  • Important addresses (current home, previous residences, family homes)

2. Legal & Financial Information

  • Will and estate details
  • Life insurance policies
  • Bank account information
  • Debts and liabilities
  • Contact details for your attorney or financial advisor

3. End-of-Life Care Wishes

  • Medical treatment preferences
  • Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) order, if applicable
  • Organ donation choices
  • Preferred hospital

4. Funeral & Memorial Instructions

  • Burial or cremation preferences
  • Type of service (religious, celebration of life, simple gathering, etc.)
  • Special requests (music, readings, speakers, etc.)
  • List of people to be notified

5. Digital Assets & Online Accounts

  • Social media accounts and what should be done with them
  • Email accounts and cloud storage details
  • Subscription services that need to be canceled

6. Personal Messages & Legacy

  • Letters to loved ones
  • Special instructions for personal items or heirlooms
  • Family history or stories you want to pass down

Get Started with My Free Final Wishes Checklist

If this all feels overwhelming, don’t worry! To help you get started, I’ve created a free printable Final Wishes Checklist that you can download from my store. This will help you make sure nothing important is left out.

final wishes checklist

Make It Even Easier with My Final Wishes Planner

If you’d rather have everything neatly organized in one place, my Final Wishes Planner is available for purchase. It includes all the sections above with easy-to-fill-out pages and extra space for personal notes—so you can be sure everything is covered.

Planning ahead may not be the most exciting task, but it’s one of the most thoughtful things you can do for your family. Take a little time now to create your final wishes planner so your loved ones will have peace of mind later.