The Final Wishes Checklist: What to Include & Why
Planning for the end of life is never easy, but having a clear and well-documented plan for your final wishes ensures that your loved ones are not left making difficult decisions without guidance.
Whether it’s financial matters, medical preferences, or personal keepsakes, organizing this information helps reduce stress, prevent confusion, and ensure your wishes are honored.
This blog post serves as a companion guide to the Final Wishes Checklist, a free resource designed to help you document and organize all of your important details in one place.
If you haven’t grabbed it yet, be sure to download it using the form below before you continue reading.
1. Personal Information & Emergency Contacts
Your basic details serve as the foundation for your Final Wishes Checklist. This section should include:
- Full legal name
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Physical and mailing address
- Phone number and email address
- Driver’s license or ID details
- Emergency contacts, including names, relationships, and phone numbers
Why It Matters
If something happens to you unexpectedly, your loved ones need to quickly access this information for official paperwork, notifications, and legal processes.
Having it in one place saves time and reduces stress.
2. Important Documents & Contacts
Where are your most critical documents stored? Your checklist should detail the locations of the following:
- Will and advance directives, including a living will and healthcare power of attorney
- Insurance policies, such as life, health, home, and auto
- Other important documents, such as passports, birth certificates, and marriage or divorce certificates
- Legal contacts, including your lawyer, executor, and financial power of attorney
Why It Matters
Your family should not have to search for essential documents during an already stressful time. Providing clear instructions on where everything is stored makes the process much easier.
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3. Financial Information & Accounts
Handling financial matters after a loved one passes can be complex and overwhelming. This section ensures that everything is accounted for, including:
- Banking and investment accounts (do not include account numbers, only institution names)
- Life insurance policies
- Loans, mortgages, and creditors
- Financial advisors, accountants, or power of attorney contacts
Why It Matters
Unclaimed assets and financial confusion are common issues after a person’s passing. Having a clear list of accounts and contacts prevents delays and ensures your finances are handled correctly.
Security Tip
Never store account numbers or passwords in this document—only reference institutions and key contacts.
4. Household & Property Information
Your home and property come with responsibilities that your family or executor will need to manage or transfer after you are gone. Include:
- Deed, mortgage, or lease information
- Utility providers and key services, such as electric, water, internet, and gas
- Who has access to your home and keys, including family members or neighbors
- Vehicles and titles, including cars, RVs, boats, and motorcycles
Why It Matters
If someone needs to handle household bills, property maintenance, or vehicle transfers, they need to know what is under your name and where to find the necessary paperwork.
5. Medical & Health Information
Medical emergencies happen without warning, and your family should never have to guess about your medical history or insurance details. This section should include:
- Where medical records are stored, such as a doctor’s office or home filing cabinet
- Primary care doctor and specialists, including names and contact information
- Health insurance details, including where the policy is stored
- Emergency medical contact information
Advance Healthcare Directives
- Organ donation preferences
- Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) orders
- Preferred care instructions
Why It Matters
If you are unable to communicate, your loved ones need quick access to your medical details for doctors, hospitals, and insurance claims.
Security Tip
Make sure your emergency medical contact knows where to find this document at all times.
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6. Digital & Online Accounts
What happens to your online presence when you are no longer here? Most people do not think about this, but it is crucial to document:
- Where you store passwords and logins, such as a password manager or written list
- Important online accounts and what should happen to them, such as memorializing or deleting social media accounts
- Business accounts, cloud storage, and websites, such as Etsy shops, blogs, and Google Drive
- Who will handle digital subscriptions
Why It Matters
Online accounts can remain active for years unless someone closes them. Planning in advance prevents security risks and helps with account management after your passing.
7. Personal & Sentimental Items
Beyond finances and documents, personal keepsakes hold deep emotional value. Help your family by listing:
- Where special keepsakes are stored, such as jewelry, heirlooms, or letters
- Who should receive specific belongings, such as a wedding ring or military medals
- Storage location of family photo albums or collections
- Instructions for donations or passing down sentimental items
Why It Matters
Emotional decisions about belongings can be difficult. A clear list prevents conflicts and ensures your items go to the right people.
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8. Preferred Funeral Arrangements
Planning funeral preferences in advance relieves stress from your loved ones during an already emotionally challenging time. Document:
- Service details, such as songs, readings, and speakers
- Burial, cremation, or other wishes
- Preferred location for services
- Type of service, such as religious, secular, or memorial
- Dress code, keepsakes, and memorial items
- Flowers or donations in lieu of flowers
Why It Matters
Funeral planning is overwhelming for grieving families. Outlining your preferences removes the guesswork and ensures your wishes are honored.
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9. How to Store Your Final Wishes Checklist
Now that you’ve documented your final wishes, it’s essential to store this checklist somewhere safe and accessible so your loved ones can find it when needed. Here’s how to ensure it’s protected:
Keep a physical copy by printing your checklist and storing it in a fireproof safe, safety deposit box, or a dedicated folder in your home office.
Save a digital version by storing a password-protected PDF in a cloud storage service such as Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive. A secure digital vault is also a good option.
Inform a trusted person such as a family member, executor, or attorney about where to find your checklist and how to access it.
Review and update your checklist annually to ensure everything remains accurate. Life circumstances can change, so it’s important to keep the information up to date.
By following these steps, you ensure that when the time comes, your loved ones won’t have to search for critical information. They will have everything they need in one place.
Final Thoughts
Your Final Wishes Checklist is one of the most important documents you will ever create. By organizing these details now, you give your loved ones the ultimate gift of preparedness, clarity, and peace of mind.
Next Steps
- Store your checklist in a safe, accessible place
- Let your trusted contacts know where to find it
- Review and update your checklist every year
Taking these steps today ensures that when the time comes, your loved ones will have the guidance they need to honor your wishes.
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