When someone dies, the most helpful gift they can leave is clarity. A simple, living document of your wishes tells the people you love what to do next, who to contact, how you want to be farewelled, and where important information lives. This guide shows Australians how to create a user-friendly, updateable wishes document that complements formal legal papers, supports cremation choices, and reflects a modern life.
What a wishes document is
Think of it as a human-centred companion to your will and enduring powers. It captures the practical and personal details your family will need in the first days and weeks after death. It is not a legal document. It sits alongside your will, superannuation nominations, and any state based Advance Care or Advance Health Directive. It covers everything those papers do not, especially your preferences for cremation, ceremony, and digital life.
Tone and format: plain language, short sections, tick boxes, and links. Use a living file that is easy to revise, such as Google Docs, Notion, or a shared PDF with form fields. Save a printable version for the front of a home file.
Why More Australians Are Creating End-of-Life Documents Earlier
For many Australians, end-of-life planning is no longer something reserved for old age. Increasingly, people are organising important documents, wishes, passwords and practical information earlier in life — not because they expect the worst, but because modern life has become more complex.
Families today often manage multiple superannuation accounts, digital subscriptions, online banking, blended family dynamics, pets, mortgages, insurance policies and extensive digital lives. When someone dies, even small unknowns can quickly create stress and confusion for the people left behind.
There is also a growing shift toward practical preparedness. Much like writing a will, taking out insurance or creating an emergency plan, many people now see an End-of-Life Wishes Document as a simple act of organisation and care.
For adult children supporting ageing parents, the value can be especially significant. Knowing where documents are stored, who to contact first, what accounts exist, or what kind of funeral or memorial someone actually wanted can remove an enormous amount of uncertainty during an already overwhelming time.
Importantly, these documents are not about predicting death. They are about reducing unnecessary pressure on the people you love and creating greater clarity around everyday practical matters that are often overlooked until a crisis occurs.
In many ways, modern end-of-life planning is becoming less about formality and more about making life easier for family when they need it most.
How it fits with Australian paperwork
- Will and Executor: your will names an executor who handles your estate. Your wishes document helps the executor and your family act quickly and confidently.
- Advance Care or Advance Health Directive: guides medical care while you are alive but cannot speak for yourself. Terms vary by state.
- Enduring Power of Attorney or Guardian: appoints people to make decisions if you cannot.
- Superannuation nominations: usually handled separately. Use your wishes document to point to nomination forms stored securely.
- DonateLife register: if you want to be an organ and tissue donor, record your choice in your wishes document and on the Australian Organ Donor Register.
This guide is information only. For legal questions, check your state or territory resources and speak with a solicitor.
What to include: the essential sections
Use these headings as a checklist. Keep each part brief, clear and scannable.
1) Quick-start summary
One page that a partner, friend, or executor can act on immediately.
- Primary contacts with mobile numbers
- Funeral director preference or shortlist
- Preference for cremation
- Where the full document lives
- Where your will and legal papers are stored
- Any urgent care instructions for children, dependants, or pets
2) Personal details
- Full legal name, preferred name, date of birth, Medicare number, MyGov login location, and address
- Next of kin and executor details
- GP and key specialists
- Private health insurer details (if relevant)
3) Your preferences at time of death
- Organ and tissue donation choice and where recorded
- Body care preferences such as minimal intervention, cultural considerations, or eco-friendly options
- Cremation preference, including any specific provider, location, or timeframe if possible
4) Funeral or memorial choices
Frame this as an invitation to create something personal.
- Type: cremation with private family time, or cremation followed by a public memorial, or a gathering at home or meaningful place
- Tone: relaxed, reflective, upbeat, formal, or a mix
- Venue ideas: garden, beach, community hall, chapel, private home, or live streamed event
- People to involve: who you would like to speak, read, play music, or host
- Music and readings: songs, poems, letters, or stories you love
- Visuals: photo slideshow or video messages
- Dress: colours, casual, or something that feels like you
- Flowers and donations: list any charities important to you
- Keepsakes: recipe cards, seed packets, or a memory book for guests
5) Your cremation and urn wishes
- Preferred crematorium or region
- Preference for an urn style that suits home display or portability
- Plans for ashes: at home, shared among family, scattered at a specific location with GPS notes, interred in a memorial garden, or held until a future date
- Any dates that matter, such as an anniversary gathering
6) People to notify
Create a contact tree that makes communication easy.
- Immediate family and closest friends
- Colleagues, clients, and community groups
- Clubs, volunteer organisations, and online communities
- Social media platforms to update or memorialise
7) Digital life and social media
- Password manager master details and where the recovery information is stored
- Devices and cloud storage to access photos and documents
- Instructions for memorialising or closing Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other accounts
- Subscriptions and domains to cancel or transfer
- Any digital assets of value such as crypto wallets, points programs, or online stores
8) Financial and practical map
Do not list full account numbers in a shared file. Use a map approach that points to the secure source.
- Where to find bank and mortgage details, super funds, insurance policies, vehicle registrations, rates, and utilities
- Regular payments to cancel
- Where tax records are stored for the ATO
- Where to find share registries or managed funds
- Key household instructions such as alarm codes or safe combinations stored separately
9) Care of children, dependants, and pets
- Day-to-day routines and comfort notes
- Schools, activities, and medical contacts
- Guardianship wishes as per your will
- Pet care plan with microchip details and preferred vet
10) Legacy and messages
- Short letters to the people you love
- Personal history notes, favourite places, or family recipes
- A statement of values for memorial content or eulogies
- Guidance on photos you would like used
11) What to do in the first week
A simple list can be a lifesaver.
- Call the funeral director and set an initial plan
- Notify close family and friends
- Gather photo and video memories for the service
- Request multiple certified copies of the death certificate via the funeral director
- Locate the will, identification, and policy documents
Make it easy to input and update
Choose your format:
- Google Docs or Notion: collaborative and easy to update. Use headings, checklists, and internal links.
- Fillable PDF: portable and printable. Lock sensitive fields and keep an unlocked copy for edits.
- Hybrid: a cloud document for day-to-day updates and a printed snapshot in a home file.
Keep it maintainable:
- Pick a single file name and stick to it, such as “YourName_Wishes_Current.pdf.”
- Date stamp each update at the top of the document.
- Use short sentences and bullet lists to keep scanning simple.
- Add links rather than pasting long details that will change.
Where to store:
- A shared family drive folder labelled “In Case of Emergency”
- A password manager secure note
- A printed copy in a clearly marked home file or fire safe
- Optional QR code on the inside of a home file that links to the current document
Who to share with:
- Executor, next of kin, and a trusted friend
- Your GP or care coordinator if relevant
- A family tech helper for digital accounts
Privacy and security
Balance access with safety. Keep sensitive numbers in a password manager and use your wishes document as an index. Share only what is needed to act quickly. Avoid emailing full copies widely. Revoke old links when you update the document.
A simple template you can copy
Use these prompts to draft your version today.
Page 1: Quick-start summary
- Primary contact 1 and 2
- Executor and solicitor
- I prefer cremation
- Funeral director preference
- Link to full document
- Location of will and legal papers
Ceremony choices
- Type and tone
- Venue ideas
- People to involve
- Music and readings
- Flowers or donations
- Dress guidelines
- Keepsakes
Cremation and ashes
- Crematorium preference
- Urn style notes
- Ashes plan and location
People to notify
- Inner circle list
- Work or community contacts
- Social accounts to update
Digital life
- Password manager location
- Photo libraries and cloud storage
- Accounts to memorialise or close
Practical map
- Where to find finances and policies
- Subscriptions to cancel
- Household access information
Legacy and messages
- Short letters or notes
- Stories or values for eulogies
- Photo preferences
First-week checklist
- Contact funeral director
- Notify family and friends
- Gather photos and stories
- Organise certificates and ID
- Locate will and policies
How to keep it current
Set a recurring reminder once a year. Many Australians choose their birthday or the first week of the new financial year as a “life admin” reset. Review the document after major events such as a move, new job, relationship change, or the arrival of a child or pet. Tell your contacts when you update it.
Free Template – Download Now
To help you get started, we’ve created a free, editable End-of-Life Wishes Document Template that you can download here. It’s designed as a practical tool, something you can begin using straight away. Open the template in Google Sheets, to make it easy to fill out online, share with family or trusted friends, and update whenever circumstances change. Each section is colour-coded for clarity, guiding you through key details such as personal preferences, digital access, memorial ideas, and practical first-week steps. You can add or remove sections to suit your situation and use it as a living document that evolves alongside you. It’s a simple, structured way to reduce uncertainty for loved ones and ensure your wishes are recorded clearly and compassionately.
“A ‘wishes’ document is love in practical form. It turns guesswork into guidance, and stress into steadiness.”
Final thoughts
A wishes document is not about control. It is about care. It gives your people a clear path in a confusing moment and protects energy for what matters most. It also invites you to live more intentionally now. When your values are on paper, your days tend to align with them. That is a quiet gift to yourself, and a profound gift to those who will one day carry your story forward.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or professional advice. While we strive to offer accurate and up-to-date information, the complexities of individual situations vary, and the content may not address specific circumstances. Readers are encouraged to seek formal advice from qualified professionals regarding their unique situations. Reliance on any information provided in this blog is solely at the reader’s discretion, and the author and publisher are not liable for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the content or for any actions taken based on the information provided.