Preparing for What’s Ahead: A Practical Checklist for End-of-Life Planning

Planning ahead ensures that important decisions—legal, medical, financial, and personal—are clearly documented and easy to follow. Whether you're organizing your own affairs or helping a loved one, this checklist outlines key documents and preferences that can reduce confusion and provide peace of mind later on.

You don’t need to complete everything at once. Start with what feels most important and build from there.

Estate Plan

• Revocable Living Trust
  Establish your plan for distributing possessions to individuals and organizations after death.
• Last Will & Testament
  Specify your legal and financial wishes upon death, including who receives what.
• Beneficiary Designations
  Designate who should receive assets from your will, trust, life insurance, and other legal documents.
• Durable Financial Power of Attorney
  Appoint someone to handle financial matters if you become unable to do so yourself.
• Organ Donor Designation
  Decide whether or not to register as an organ donor.
• Domestic Partnership Agreement (if applicable)
  Formalize shared financial and legal responsibilities with a partner.
• Pet Trust
  Choose a caregiver and set aside funds to ensure your pet is cared for in your absence.

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Funeral Plan

• Your Legacy
  Capture special memories, milestones, and accomplishments to be shared with future generations.
• Contact & Organization List
  Identify individuals and groups who should be notified of your passing.
• Service Type
  Specify the kind of service you’d like—religious, non-religious, celebration of life, etc.
• Special Requests
  Include preferences for readings, music, flowers, themes, or anything meaningful to you.
• Body Disposition
  Indicate whether you prefer burial, cremation, terramation, or another method.
• Financial Arrangements
  Note any prepaid funeral plans or funds reserved for related expenses.

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Advanced Care Plan

• Durable Medical Power of Attorney
  Appoint someone to make medical decisions if you're unable to do so yourself.
• Advance Healthcare Directive (AHCD)
  Outline your end-of-life healthcare preferences, including a living will if desired.
• Declaration for Mental Health Treatment (DMHT)
  Specify your preferences for mental health care if you're unable to communicate them later.
• DNR and POLST Forms
  Document your choices about resuscitation and other life-saving interventions.

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