At Cathedral Wealth Management, we understand that planning for the future isn’t only about managing your finances — it’s about protecting the people and priorities that matter most. Taking time to organise key affairs now can provide lasting peace of mind for you and your loved ones, ensuring that your wishes are respected and your legacy is secure.
Our “Things to Do Before You Die” checklist is designed to help you think carefully about the practical, financial, and personal steps that can make a real difference later on. From updating your will and appointing a Power of Attorney to documenting your financial details, care preferences, and digital accounts, this guide encourages open conversations and thoughtful preparation. These are often sensitive topics, but addressing them early helps avoid confusion, reduces stress for family members, and ensures your affairs are handled exactly as you intend.
Cathedral Wealth Management: Things to Do Before You Die
- Discuss important issues and wishes with loved ones early to avoid confusion and distress later.
- Create or update your will to ensure your assets and wishes are clear and protected, and inform your next of kin where it is stored.
- Decide and record who would care for any dependants or children in your absence, and name guardians in your will.
- Start planning for inheritance tax, including lifetime gifts and other solutions to help reduce liabilities for your estate.
- Write a financial factsheet listing key accounts, providers, investments, and household details, excluding passwords, for someone trusted to access if needed.
- Ensure someone else (spouse, family member, or trusted friend) understands your household finances and practical arrangements in case they need to take them over.
- Make funeral arrangements in advance, listing preferences for burial/cremation, music, flowers, and religious or non-religious services.
- Put in place a Lasting Power of Attorney so someone can manage your financial or medical affairs if you lose capacity.
- Consider how to balance your finances and comfort, ensuring you live well and aren’t overly focused on inheritance to the detriment of your wellbeing.
- Prepare your “bucket list” of life goals and experiences, and share your intentions with loved ones.
- Clearly record details of online accounts, cloud storage, and memberships for digital access—never list passwords, just the providers and key information.
- Decide and register your wishes for organ and/or tissue donation, and communicate your decision to your family.
- Review any life insurance policies and check whether existing plans are suitable for your family’s needs, or whether new cover should be arranged.
- Prepare a living will (advance decision) if you wish to refuse certain medical treatments in specific circumstances, keeping it signed and witnessed.
- Make an advance statement detailing personal preferences for care, diet, religious observance, and other wishes, and ensure it is known to carers or medical staff.
- Assign care for your pets, whether to family or through schemes such as the RSPCA’s pet service, and update your will as needed.
- Settle outstanding debts where possible and understand how debts will be handled by your estate, clarifying any joint responsibilities.
- Carefully consider equity release or downsizing options and seek advice from Cathedral Wealth Management before making decisions affecting your property or estate.
- If you need help or emotional support, contact specialists, charities, Cathedral Wealth Management advisers, or relevant organisations for guidance and assistance.#
The levels and bases of taxation and reliefs from taxation can change at any time. The value of any tax relief depends on individual circumstances.
Equity release is a lifetime mortgage. To understand the features and risks associated with such products, please ask for a personalised illustration
Will writing and Powers of Attorney involve the referral to a service which is separate and distinct to those offered by St. James’s Place and are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
SJP approved 28/11/2025
