✓ Estate Organization Checklist
Final Wishes & Personal Instructions
Leave fewer decisions for the people you love
Use this printable roadmap to identify what applies, note where records are kept, and flag items needing follow-up. Avoid writing passwords, PINs, full account numbers, or other sensitive access information here.
Important: For educational and organizational purposes only. This checklist is not legal, funeral, medical, tax, or financial advice.
1. The People Who Know My Wishes
Primary person who knows my wishes
Relationship
Phone
Secondary person who knows my wishes
2. Funeral or Memorial Preferences
My general preference
Would you prefer a service at
Preferred location, if any
3. Burial, Cremation or Other Arrangements
If burial
If cremation
My preference
Relevant documents located at
4. Prepaid or Prearranged Services
Provider/organization
Contact information
Contracts or records located at
5. Religious or Spiritual Preferences
Faith community
Clergy/spiritual contact
Important traditions or instructions
6. Music, Readings and Other Service Preferences
Music I would like considered
Readings
Readings I would like considered
Are there people you would especially like to
Names or preferences
7. Obituary Information
Consider recording
8. People and Groups to Notify
Family contact
Friends contact
Faith/community contact
Professional/work contact
9. Charitable Gifts and Memorial Donations
Organization(s)
10. Pets
Identify
Temporary caregiver
Name
Phone
Preferred long-term caregiver
Name
Phone
Veterinarian
Clinic
Phone
Detailed pet instructions located at
11. Sentimental Possessions and Family Heirlooms
Consider
12. Personal Possessions with Special Instructions
13. Photographs and Family Archives
Primary location
Digital backup location
Person who understands the collection
14. Digital Legacy
15. Personal Letters and Messages
These might include
My personal letters/messages are located at
16. Family Traditions and Things Worth Continuing
Consider recording
Traditions I especially value
17. Things I Do Not Want
If important to you, consider recording preferences such as
Things I would prefer my family avoid
18. Other Personal Instructions
Consider
Additional instructions
Final Wishes Organization Check
Once you’ve worked through the sections above, ask yourself
The “Would They Have to Guess?” Test
The “What Story Would Be Lost?” Test
Notes and follow-up
Item or next stepPerson or date