When someone dies or becomes seriously ill, their family often spends months searching for documents, passwords and answers. You can spare them much of that with a few hours of preparation spread over a few weekends. This checklist is a starting point; tick off what applies to you.
1. The legal essentials
- A legal will that says who inherits what and who should look after any children. The rules differ by country; in many places, including Singapore, a will must be in writing, signed, and witnessed by two people. Get advice if your situation is not simple.
- A lasting power of attorney (or your country's equivalent), so someone you trust can make decisions if you can't. In Singapore this is made through the Office of the Public Guardian.
- Your wishes for medical care towards the end of life, written down and shared with the people who may need to speak for you.
- Where the originals are kept. A will nobody can find doesn't help.
2. Money and property
- Bank accounts (bank and type of account; no passwords in writing).
- Insurance policies: life, health, home, car, with the insurer's name and policy number.
- Pensions, retirement accounts and investments.
- Property you own or rent, and any mortgage or loans.
- Regular bills and subscriptions that will need cancelling.
- Who to contact: your accountant, financial adviser or lawyer, if you have one.
3. Your digital life
- A list of important accounts: email, phone, cloud storage, social media, online banking.
- How your family can get access: for example a password manager's emergency access feature, or the legacy contact settings that many services offer. Never write passwords in an email or a letter.
- What you'd like done with photos, social media profiles and online subscriptions.
See Your digital life after you're gone for more detail.
4. Practical things only you know
- Where the spare keys, the safe, and important papers are.
- How the house works: the boiler, the alarm code, the plumber you trust.
- Who looks after the pets, and what they need.
- People who should be told: friends, colleagues, clubs, your faith community.
5. Your wishes for the funeral
- Burial, cremation or another choice, and any religious or cultural customs.
- Music, readings, or the kind of gathering you'd like.
- Any prepaid plan, and where its paperwork is.
Families often say that knowing your wishes removed a great deal of guilt and argument at a very hard time.
6. The personal part
Finally, and most importantly, the words. A letter to each person you love, a message about what mattered to you, the story of your family. This is the part nobody else can write for you. Our guide on writing a letter to your children can help you begin.
Keep it current, and make sure it's found
Review the list once a year, or after a big change: a move, a new child, a new job. Tell one or two trusted people where everything is. Tellafter can hold your messages, videos and documents privately and deliver them to the people you choose if you stop signing in, after reminding you first.
This checklist is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules differ by country; please check with a qualified adviser where you live.