Planning dying well

In the checklist below are some of the areas people often leave too late to discuss.

It is important to think about all the things you want well in advance, talk to your loved one, write it down and keep it safe.

1. Consider legal and financial matters:

• Make a will, get legal advice if necessary
• Think about the costs, consider insurance, a funeral plan
• If you need financial help to support you and your family with care costs, transport
• Plan for the care of dependents

2. Save other lives - through organ donation:

• If you want to donate any organs to save other lives or leave your brain or body to medical research, e.g. to help with dementia ,write it down and tell your family

3. Make a plan for what you want when you die:

• The type of care you would like towards the end of your life
• Where you would like to die
• Whether you have any particular worries you would like to discuss about being ill and dying
• Whether you want to be resuscitated or not

4. Consider how you would like to be remembered:

• What would you like people to know before you die
• Messages, memory boxes, videos for loved ones

5. Plan your funeral arrangements:

• What do you want, burial, cremation, green funeral, other
• Any service, memorial service, wake, celebration of your life
• What songs, messages, themes
• Who do you want to attend

6. Prepare for bereavement

• If you need help or advice, find out where to go for support.
• Find out what to do about legal and financial matters after death