Planning for the end of your life checklist
Create a will
A will is a legal document that states what you want to happen to your assets when you die. It’s important to create a will so your loved ones know what to do with your assets. If you already have a will, it’s important you keep it up to date.
Your will can cover things like:
- how you want your finances and assets to be shared
- care arrangements for any children or pets
- plans for your funeral
- nominating someone to be the executor of your will.
A solicitor or Public Trustee can help you create a will. You can find out how to make a will on your state or territory government Public Trustee website.
Nominate a superannuation (super) beneficiary
You may be able to nominate someone as your super beneficiary. If you nominate a beneficiary, when you die your super fund will pay your remaining super to this person.
If you don’t nominate a beneficiary, the super fund trustee will decide who your money goes to.
Contact your super fund to nominate your beneficiary or find out about superannuation death benefits on the Australian Taxation Office website.
Choose a power of attorney
You can choose someone you trust to be your power of attorney. A power of attorney is someone that will be able to make legal and financial decisions on your behalf if you can’t.
The power of attorney is only valid during your lifetime. After death, your will comes into effect. Visit your state or territory Public Trustee or government website to find out more about a power of attorney.
Create an advance care plan
An advance care plan helps you plan the health care you want in the future if you can’t communicate your preferences. This can include:
- who you’d like to make medical decisions for you if you can’t any more
- any preferred medical treatment
- where you’d prefer to die, such as at home or in hospital
- any spiritual or religious plans
- organ donation
- palliative care.
Find out more about advance care planning.
Register as an organ donor
Organ donation can help save the lives of many people. You can choose which organs and tissue to donate and you can change your mind at any time. Find out how to register as an organ donor.
Plan for palliative care
Palliative care is end of life healthcare. It aims to improve quality of life and ease symptoms. Palliative care can be provided at home, in a hospital, in a hospice or at an aged care facility.
Find out more about palliative care and other options.
Plan and pay for your funeral
Planning your funeral can help with how you want your life to be remembered. This might include spiritual or religious ceremonies or choosing whether to be cremated or buried.
You can also pay for your funeral in advance to relieve any financial pressure from your loved ones. This may include paying for cemetery plots, flowers or celebrants.
You can speak with a funeral director to discuss your funeral plans. If you’d like to pay for your funeral, the moneysmart website has information about paying for your funeral.
Mental health support when planning for end of life
Planning the end of your life can feel overwhelming and confronting. If you need someone to talk to, there are free and confidential support services you can access. Find out about getting mental health support.