End-of-life planning is an important process so your loved ones know your personal wishes and what steps to take in the event of an emergency or death. It’s a difficult topic to think about, but it’s essential to have a plan in place to ensure that your wishes are carried out and your loved ones are taken care of. One helpful tool in this process is an End of Life Planner.

I have often thought that if I or my husband were to pass away, we would be in trouble. Mainly because we both run businesses and there is a lot of information to sort through. We would need some serious guidance on each other’s important documents, subscriptions, bills, etc.

And that’s just the business side of things. My husband takes care of the household bills and if he were to pass away suddenly, I would need some help figuring everything out. So I created an emergency binder for us both to fill out so that we aren’t lost trying to navigate everything alone.

But I didn’t stop there. I also wanted to include information about our final wishes, too. So I added those to the binder and pretty soon, I had a decent little planner fleshed out that would give us both peace of mind.

I showed it to my friend who just lost her father and she looked me dead in the eyes and said, “What I would have given for one of these from my dad!” That’s when I knew I had to make it available to others. I listed it in my Etsy shop and since then, countless customers have told me it was exactly what they were looking for and thanked me for putting it together.

What is an End-of-Life Planner?

An End of Life Planner helps you organize and record your final wishes, including funeral arrangements, and other important details. This document can be filled out and updated as your wishes change over time. Having an End of Life Planner can provide peace of mind for both you and your loved ones, knowing that your wishes will be carried out as you intended.

You can use my ready-made planner with its own fillable PDF or you can make your own. Here are some things to know if you want to create something for yourself:

Why Use an End-of-Life Planner PDF?

• Organization: An End of Life Planner allows you to organize all your important documents and information in one place. This makes it easier for your loved ones to find everything they need when the time comes.

• Clarity: By using an End of Life Planner, you can clearly communicate your wishes for funeral arrangements and other important decisions. This can help avoid confusion or disagreements among family members.

• Accessibility: An End of Life Planner can be easily accessed by your loved ones, even if you are unable to communicate or make decisions. This ensures that your wishes are still followed, even if you are not able to communicate them directly.

Overall, it can provide peace of mind for both you and your family during a difficult time.

What to Include in an End-of-Life Planner

Here are some essential elements that should be included in your End of Life Planner:

• Personal Information: This section should include your full name, date of birth, social security number, and contact information.

• Healthcare Information: Include information about your medical history, current medications, and any allergies or medical conditions you have.

• End-of-Life Care Preferences: This section should include your preferences for end-of-life care, such as whether you want to be resuscitated, placed on life support, or receive palliative care.

• Funeral Arrangements: Include your preferences for your funeral, such as burial or cremation, and any specific requests you have for your service.

• Financial Information: Include a list of your assets, such as bank accounts, investments, and real estate, as well as any outstanding debts or liabilities.

• Legal Documents: Include copies of your will, power of attorney, and any other legal documents that are important for your end-of-life planning.

It’s important to keep your End of Life Planner PDF up to date and to share it with your loved ones and healthcare providers. You may also want to consider storing a copy in a safe and accessible location, such as a safe deposit box or with a trusted family member or friend.

Tips for Creating an End-of-Life Planner

Creating an End of Life Planner PDF can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few tips to help you create a comprehensive and organized planner:

• Start with a checklist: Begin by creating a checklist of all the important documents and information you need to include in your planner. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you don’t forget anything important.

• Include personal information: Your End of LifeBinder should include personal information such as your full name, date of birth, social security number, and contact information.

• Include medical information: Your planner should also include medical information such as your health history, medications, and any allergies you may have. You should also include the name and contact information of your healthcare provider.

• Include financial information: Your planner should include information about your finances such as your bank accounts, investments, and insurance policies. You should also include the name and contact information of your financial advisor.

• Include end-of-life preferences: Your planner should include your end-of-life preferences such as your wishes for life-sustaining treatment, funeral arrangements, and organ donation.

• Organize your planner: Organize your planner in a way that makes sense to you. You can use tabs or dividers to separate different sections or use a table of contents to help you navigate the document.

• Keep your planner up-to-date: It’s important to keep your End of Life Planner PDF up-to-date as your circumstances change. Review your planner annually or after any major life events such as a marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child.

By following these tips, you can create an End of Life Planner that is comprehensive, organized, and up-to-date.

Remember, end-of-life planning is not something that you should put off until later. It is important to start planning as soon as possible so that you can make informed decisions and ensure that your wishes are respected and your loved ones are well taken care of.