When someone dies, family and friends are often trying to cope with grief while also dealing with practical responsibilities they may never have managed before. Even when conversations have happened, it can be hard to remember everything clearly in the middle of shock and sadness.

My Wishes checklist is a simple guide to help you gather important information, personal wishes and practical details in one place, so the people around you feel more prepared and supported.

It can be used as a checklist for end of life planning, a free final wishes template, or as a starting point if you are wondering how to write a letter of wishes in the UK.

Unlike many planning documents, it’s not just about medical or legal decisions. It also covers the everyday things people are often left trying to work out after someone dies.

It includes prompts around:

• household bills and how they’re paid

• bank accounts and important financial information

• passwords and online accounts

• insurance, subscriptions and key contacts

• wishes for your care and funeral

• practical arrangements that matter to you

You may also find it helpful if you are looking for a letter of wishes template, funeral wishes template or expression of wishes template. My Wishes is not a legal document, but it can help you think through what to include in a letter of wishes and record the details that matter to you.

Having this information written down can:

• reduce uncertainty at a difficult time

• help people understand what would have mattered to you

• avoid unnecessary stress or confusion

• bring clarity when emotions feel overwhelming

You don’t need to complete everything at once, and you don’t need to have all the answers. My Wishes is simply there to help you think ahead, record what matters to you, and start important conversations with the people close to you.

You can fill it in gradually and return to it whenever you need to. Small details, written down clearly, can make a hard time a little easier for the people you love.