Caregiver Journey Week 140 8/3/26 Helping To Prepare for the End

The Death Doula course I am taking recommends actions that help reduce the trauma that often accompanies death. They produced a one-page checklist for people who are dying. As a caregiver, you can be an important support for one who has to make difficult decisions. I thought I would pass the checklist along to you. This document is not copyrighted so you can print and copy it if it would be helpful. 

One-Page Checklist: Legal and Financial Steps When You Know You Are Dying

This checklist is meant to help you protect your wishes, reduce confusion, and give the people you love a clear path forward. You do not have to complete everything at once. Start with the items that matter most, and ask a trusted person, attorney, financial adviser, doctor, hospice team, or social worker for help.

1. Choose the people who can speak and act for you

• Name a health care decision-maker in a health care power of attorney or advance directive.

• Name a trusted person to manage money and bills in a durable financial power of attorney.

• Tell these people where your documents are kept and what matters most to you.

  
  

2. Put your medical wishes in writing

• Complete or update an advance directive or living will.

• Write down your wishes about life-sustaining treatment, comfort care, pain relief, organ donation, and where you hope to receive care.

• Ask your doctor whether a POLST or similar medical-order form is appropriate for your situation.

  
  

3. Make or update your will

• Name an executor or personal representative.

• Say who should receive your property, money, personal belongings, and sentimental items.

• Name guardians for minor children or dependents, if needed.

• Include instructions for pets, special gifts, or items with emotional meaning.

  
  

4. Review beneficiaries and ownership

• Check beneficiaries on life insurance, retirement accounts, annuities, and investment accounts.

• Review payable-on-death or transfer-on-death designations, if you use them.

• Make sure account ownership and beneficiary choices match your wishes and your will.

  
  

5. Organize your financial information

• List bank accounts, retirement accounts, investments, insurance policies, real estate, vehicles, business interests, and valuable belongings.

• List debts, loans, credit cards, taxes, medical bills, and recurring payments.

• Gather recent tax returns, deeds, titles, insurance documents, and benefit information.

• Create a secure plan for passwords, devices, digital accounts, and online subscriptions.

  
  

6. Write down final arrangements and personal wishes

• State your preferences for burial, cremation, body donation, memorial service, obituary, music, readings, or religious/spiritual practices.

• Note any prepaid funeral or cemetery arrangements.

• Make a list of people to notify and any messages, letters, photos, or keepsakes you want shared.

  
  

7. Put everything in one known place

• Keep originals or copies of key documents where your trusted person can find them.

• Share contact information for your attorney, doctor, hospice team, financial adviser, accountant, insurance agent, clergy, and close family or friends.

• Review the checklist with the person who will help carry out your wishes.

  
  

Important: Laws and forms vary by state and country. This checklist is not legal, tax, or medical advice. If you can, use local professionals or hospice support to make sure your documents are valid and your choices are clear.