The importance of writing your will and organising your finances

There are certain parts of life we don’t rush to think about, yet they quietly sit in the background, waiting for us to give them the attention they deserve.

Will writing and financial planning is one of those tasks. It’s not about expecting the worst; it’s about creating reassurance for the People who matter most. It’s knowing that once you’ve passed your family are looked after and their financial stress and burden can be taken away when they’re already going through a difficult time. 

Catherine has kindly shared with us her story following the loss of her husband Gary. Catherine’s story serves as a gentle reminder of why planning for the unexpected can help your loved ones in the future. 

Jump to:

• Catherine's story
• Keep a simple list of your finances
• Write a will
• Plan your funeral
• Consider a Lasting Power of Attorney
• Notify your employer of your preferred beneficiaries of Death in Service payment
• Notify your pension providers of your preferred beneficiaries
• Why is planning for death important?
• Download our planning for death checklist

Catherine's story

This isn’t an easy thing to write, and it’s not an easy thing to read. But I wanted to share something in the hope it might help others in the future. 

On the evening of 9 December 2025, my life changed forever when my husband, Gary, died suddenly of a heart attack at home. He was 56 and had no known health issues. 

Gary hadn’t made a will, or shared his wishes about his funeral. Since his death, my children and I have spent weeks navigating paperwork, tracing finances, and making decisions we never expected to have to make, all while grieving. 

I’m sharing this not to alarm anyone, but as a gentle reminder of how much simpler things can be for the people we leave behind if a few basic plans are in place. 

A few small steps can make a big difference.

1. Keep a simple list of your finances 

Knowing where to find information about bank accounts, pensions, insurance, savings, and any debts can save loved ones a huge amount of stress.

Services like Tell Us Once help with government organisations such as HMRC, the DVLA and The Passport Office but banks, building societies and insurance companies will all need to be contacted individually. 

2. Make a will 

A will doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. Even if you feel you don’t have much, having a say in what happens and who deals with things can really matter. Without a will, the law decides, and that isn’t always what people expect or would choose. 

Free Wills Month brings together a group of well-respected charities to offer members of the public aged 55 and over the opportunity to have their simple wills written or updated free of charge.

3. Plan your funeral 

Whether it’s funeral arrangements, burial or cremation, or simply what you would or wouldn’t want, having something written down can remove a huge emotional burden from family members at a very difficult time.

4. Consider a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) 

If you were ever unable to make decisions for yourself, a Lasting Power of Attorney allows someone you trust to act on your behalf, rather than decisions being made by default or through the courts.

5. Notify your employer of your preferred beneficiaries of Death In Service Payment 

A death in service payment is not part of the deceased’s estate.  It is an insurance payment and is paid to whomever you make a beneficiary. If you don't, the people running the scheme will make the decision who to pay.  

In our recent experience, we had an interim payment within two weeks and the whole payment within three weeks. It certainly made a significant difference and really took the pressure off financially. I expected it would take months but it didn’t.

6. Notify your pension providers of your preferred beneficiaries 

If you don't, the people running the scheme will make the decision who to pay. Spouses are allocated first, but schemes also consider paying the deceased’s children, parents, siblings and anyone financially dependent on the deceased. 

Why is planning for death important?

These are all things many of us know we should do but often put off because life is busy or the conversation feels uncomfortable. I know I did. 

Looking back, I wish we’d taken just a little time to talk things through and put simple plans in place. It wouldn’t have taken away the pain of losing Gary, but it would have spared our family some of the added complexity at a time when everything already felt overwhelming. 

If this message encourages even one person to have a conversation, jot something down, or take a first step, then it will have been worth sharing. 

Download our planning for death checklist 

Small steps can make a big difference for the people you love. We've created a downloadable checklist that you can complete and share with your family or friends.

Remember, you don’t need to do everything at once. Even completing one or two items can help.

Download our planning for death checklist