Planning ahead

Planning things like what type of funeral you want and who to leave your belongings to can make your final days easier, giving you more time with family and friends.

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It's important to make plans and talk

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Advance care planning

It can be difficult to make plans about the type of treatment and care you might need in the future. This page has guidance about advance care planning, and useful links.
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Your rights at work

It can be difficult knowing what to do about work when you have a terminal illness. However there are laws in place to protect you, which we explain on this page.
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Concerns about dying alone

Not everyone has family members or friends who can be present towards the end of their life, but there is support available for you.
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Choosing to refuse treatment

This page has information for both patients and their relatives about deciding to refuse treatment.
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Writing a will

Writing a will is one of the most important parts of planning for the end of life. This guide tells you what you need to know about creating a will.
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Organ donation

Have you ever thought about donating your organs to help someone after your death? This page tells you what you need to consider.
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Planning your own funeral can give you peace of mind and help friends and relatives to remember you

How to plan your own funeral

Planning your own funeral can give you peace of mind and help friends and relatives to remember you. Here are some things to think about when you’re planning your own funeral.

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Use a new Planning Ahead tool

This new tool will lead you, step by step, to think about your values and the things that matter most to you in life (and in dying).

Try out the pilot of the new tool
Advice on what to do with digital accounts before I die

What to do with digital accounts when someone dies

Find guidance on what to do with online accounts like Facebook, Netflix and even WhatsApp messages when the account holder dies.

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Make a funeral plan

You can leave written wishes about the type of funeral you want and what should happen to your body in your will, or in a separate note to give to someone you trust. This can include readings, music and hymns for example, as well as who you would like to be there.

Dying Matters has a simple form to help you set out what you want for your funeral, which you can download for free below.

You can also make arrangements well in advance with the help of a funeral director. Our guide on how to arrange a funeral has information on how to do this. 

How to arrange a funeral
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Dying Matters

Hospice UK’s Dying Matters campaign is working with you to create an open culture in which we’re comfortable talking about death, dying and grief.

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Dying Matters

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