My End-of-Life Wishes

My Name

Date

Signed

The concept of 'getting your affairs in order' before the end of your life is often limited to your will and other financial decisions. However, making choices around a broad range of end-of-life matters may be important to you.

Taking time to think carefully about your end-of-life wishes is an empowering activity and will give the most important people in your life some much needed guidance when you are unwell or after you die. This plan covers:

End of life wishes
Celebrating your life

Other things you might need to consider include:

Finances and wills
An Advanced Care Plan & DNR (Do Not Resuscitate order)
Writing your own eulogy (we have a great template for this too)

End of Life Wishes	Yes	No	Further Information
My will
A will is a legal document that outlines your wishes regarding the distribution of your property and the care of any minor children.
I have prepared my will and it can be located here:
Cremation
I wish to be cremated
If possible, I'd like to be cremated wearing these clothes:
If possible, I'd like to be cremated in a shroud (fabric cloth)
I'd like to be cremated with the following items of jewellery: (e.g. wedding band / other possessions)
After cremation, I'd like my ashes to be scattered at:
After cremation, I'd like my ashes to be kept in an urn
If applicable, my preferred urn is:
I'd like my ashes to be given to:
Your family may wish to view your body after you die. Do you have any instructions relating to this?
If possible, I'd like my loved ones to wash my body after my death, in preparation for cremation
Funeral arrangements
Some people prefer to pre-pay for their funeral. I have pre-paid for my funeral and the details are:
Some people prefer to set up a funeral bond. I have set up a funeral bond with:
I would like my family or friends to plan a traditional funeral
I would like my family or friends to plan a memorial-style celebration

End of Life Wishes	Yes	No	Further Information
Celebrating your life – your way
When it comes to honouring a life, the name matters. Some people love the term 'funeral', others prefer 'celebration of life', 'memorial', or something completely unexpected. There are no rules here. What would you like your gathering to be called?
If possible, I'd like the following funeral home or business to arrange my celebration:
I'd like the following celebrant or religious person to lead my celebration:
If possible, I'd like my life celebration to take place at:
Preferred vibe or style: (low key / little fuss / big celebration / party / traditional / religious / spiritual)
How many people?
There's no right or wrong answer here. Think about who lights you up – not just who 'should' be there.
Just the inner circle (under 20) A small gathering (20–50) A proper crowd (50–100) The more the merrier (100+) Honestly, surprise me
Music & atmosphere
This music resonates with me and I'd love it played at my celebration:
I'd like live music or other live art performed at my celebration
The overall atmosphere I'd love created: (think lighting, scents, flowers, décor, season)
I would like flowers at my celebration
Food, drink & the wake
The best gatherings are remembered for the food and the stories. What would yours look like?
I'd like a wake to include the following foods, drinks, songs, people, traditions:
My signature dish or drink that I'd love served:
Dress code & theme
Give people a brief, and they'll show up differently. What do you want them to walk in wearing?
I'd like guests to dress: (formal / in black / a colour / a theme e.g. Hawaiian shirts or sequins!)
If I could give my celebration one word to describe it, that word would be:
Words & stories
If possible, I'd like the following people to speak on the day:
These poems, readings, quotes or prayers resonate with me and I'd like them shared:
I've left a video message or letter to be played or read at my celebration:
I've left a private video message or letter to be given to a specific person:
The unexpected touches
The things people will remember most are usually the things no one expected. What would be so very you?
A surprise I'd love to include that nobody would see coming:
These items or gifts I'd like given to guests as a memory of me:
I would like donations made to a charitable organisation in my honour
I'd like a photographer or videographer to capture my life celebration
One song I absolutely do NOT want played:

End of Life Wishes	Yes	No	Further Information
Life story
Often a life story (or eulogy) is prepared by a family member and read at a funeral. We have an excellent template for sharing your own life story at www.tomorrowfunerals.com.au
I have prepared my life story
If possible, I'd like the following person to deliver my life story:
These are some life lessons or reflections I would like to share with my family and friends:
The following music, art, hobbies, sport or ideas are important to me:
Things I want to share
This is your space. There are no rules. Be honest, be funny, be tender. Good luck & have fun with it!
Things I love: (books, sport, hobbies, art, films, places, nature, science, politics, animals & pets)
These things are meaningful to me because…
What I find annoying about other funerals I have been to…
These people are special because…
Throughout my life, my greatest lesson has been…
If I could go back and tell my younger self one thing, it would be:
The moment I was most proud of myself was:
A message I'd like to leave for the world: