What is death admin and why do it?
Death admin is about getting your affairs in order so that things are easier for the people you leave behind. If you are terminally ill, it is certainly worth spending time on. And even if you aren’t there are still several things below which you could do.
Doing our admin helps ensure that your wishes are known—whether that’s who should make decisions on your behalf if you’re no longer able to, or what kind of music you’d like at your funeral. It can offer real peace of mind, knowing that the people you care about won’t be left with guesswork or confusion at an already difficult time.
To get started, you’ll need just two things:
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A box file—label it something clear like Death Box so it’s easy to find when needed.
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A notebook—it’s worth choosing a good one, as it will hold important and personal information.
There are five key areas I’ll walk you through:
Digital Legacy and Life Admin
Social Media
What is going happen to all of your photos and videos? Do you want someone accessing your social media or would you prefer it to be deleted?
You could start by putting everything in one place such as on a USB stick or on a Cloud platform, such as Dropbox or Google Drive.
You could nominate a legacy contact for your Apple account.
Memorialise or delete a loved one’s Facebook or Instagram account.
Phone and Access
If you have fingerprint ID on your phone, ensure a next of kin has added their fingerprint too so they are able to access your phone. Add your phone PIN to your notebook along with details of your phone contract, account number and provider.
Financial
For all of the below, record in your notebook, reference numbers, account numbers, PINS, logins, passwords, company names and anything else that is important.
Banks, building societies, post office, saving accounts, credit cards, ISAs, stocks, shares, bonds, crypto, investments, debts, loans and mortgages.
Remember insurances: house, car, health and life.
Income
Add your national insurance number to your book and details of your most recent job. If you were in the armed forces don’t forget to add your service number and regiment.
List any benefits you have been receiving.
Add any work or private pensions. Some jobs provide a ‘death in service’ pay-out add details about that if you have one.
If you are self employed you will need to include your ‘government gateway ID’ in addition to your ‘unique tax reference number’.
Statement of Wishes
A Statement of Wishes is a document where you write down your personal preferences and guidance for your loved ones and executors after you pass away. It’s not legally binding but helps ensure that your wishes are known and respected.
What Can Be Included?
Funeral Preferences:
- Your choice of burial or cremation.
- Where you want the service to be held.
- Any specific music, readings, or rituals you would like.
Personal Items:
- Who you want to receive specific belongings, like family heirlooms or sentimental items.
Care for Dependents:
- Your wishes for the care of any children or dependents, including who you’d like to be their guardian.
Charitable Donations:
- Any charities you’d like to donate to in your memory.
Other Wishes:
- Any additional guidance for managing your finances, property, or any other matters.
Why Is It Important?
A Statement of Wishes helps guide your loved ones during a difficult time, making sure they know how you’d like things handled. It can give them peace of mind and help avoid confusion or disagreements.
Can It Be Changed?
Yes, you can update your Statement of Wishes anytime as your preferences change.
In summary, a Statement of Wishes is a helpful way to communicate your personal preferences after you’re gone, making it easier for your loved ones to honour your wishes.
LPA – Lasting Power of Attorney
A Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) is a legal document that lets you choose someone you trust to make decisions for you if you’re unable to do so yourself in the future.
What Does It Do?
- Appoint a Trusted Person: You can name someone (called your “attorney”) to make decisions on your behalf if you lose the ability to make them yourself.
- Types of Decisions: There are two types of LPAs:
- Health and Welfare LPA: For decisions about your medical care, daily routine, and where you live.
- Property and Financial Affairs LPA: For managing your money, paying bills, and handling your property.
Why Create an LPA?
- Future Planning: It ensures that someone you trust will handle important decisions if you can’t.
- Peace of Mind: You can feel secure knowing your affairs will be managed according to your wishes.
When Does It Come into Effect?
- Health and Welfare LPA: Only comes into effect if you can’t make decisions yourself.
- Property and Financial Affairs LPA: Can be used as soon as it’s registered, with your permission, or only if you lose mental capacity.
Can It Be Changed?
- Yes: You can update or cancel your LPA at any time, as long as you still have the mental capacity to make decisions.
Legal Standing
- Legally Binding: An LPA is legally recognised, so your solicitor must follow your instructions and act in your best interests.
In summary, an LPA lets you choose someone to make important decisions for you if you’re ever unable to do so, ensuring that your wishes are respected, and your affairs are managed by someone you trust.
For more details, please look on this GOV page.
ADRT – Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment
An Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT) is a legal document that lets you specify which medical treatments you do not want to receive if you become unable to communicate your wishes in the future.
What Does It Do?
- Refuse Specific Treatments: You can say no to certain medical treatments, like life support, resuscitation, or feeding tubes, in specific situations.
- When It Applies: It only comes into effect if you cannot make or communicate decisions yourself, such as if you’re unconscious or have lost mental capacity.
Why Create an ADRT?
- Control Over Your Care: It gives you control over your medical care, ensuring your wishes are respected even if you can’t speak for yourself.
- Peace of Mind: It helps your family and doctors know exactly what you want, avoiding uncertainty or difficult decisions.
Can It Be Changed?
- Yes: You can update or cancel your ADRT at any time, as long as you still have the mental capacity to make decisions.
Legal Standing
- Binding: An ADRT is legally binding, meaning doctors and healthcare providers must follow it.
What It Covers
- Specific Treatments: You can refuse treatments like resuscitation, life support, or any other medical procedures you do not want under certain conditions.
Who makes an advance decision?
You make the advance decision, as long as you have the mental capacity to make such decisions. You may want to make an advance decision with the support of a clinician. If you decide to refuse life-sustaining treatment in the future, your advance decision needs to be:
- written down
- signed by you
- signed by a witness
In summary, an ADRT allows you to make clear decisions about your medical care in advance, ensuring that your wishes are respected if you’re ever unable to communicate them yourself.
Here you can download an Advance Decision Pack.
The document contains:
- Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment – This form sets out the situations in which you want to refuse medical treatment if you are unable to make or communicate that decision in the future.
- Information for GPs – A one page cover sheet for you to give to your GP along with your form.
- Guidance Notes – This gives information to help you complete your form. The notes explain when an Advance Decision would be
used and offers support to consider your wishes.
For more details, please look on this NHS page.
DNACPR – Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
A DNACPR, or Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation order, is a medical instruction that tells healthcare professionals not to try to restart your heart or breathing if they stop.
When Is a DNACPR Used?
A DNACPR is used when:
- You have a serious illness, and CPR is unlikely to work or could cause more harm.
- You or your family decide that you don’t want CPR, focusing instead on comfort and quality of life.
What Does This Mean?
If you have a DNACPR, doctors and nurses will still give you all other care, such as pain relief, oxygen, or medications. They just won’t try to restart your heart or breathing if they stop.
How Is It Decided?
- You can discuss your wishes with your doctor.
- If you are too ill to decide, your doctor will talk to your family or the people close to you.
Can It Be Changed?
Yes. If your situation or feelings change, the DNACPR can be reviewed and cancelled at any time.
Why Is It Important?
A DNACPR helps make sure that your wishes about CPR are respected, and that you receive the care that you want.
In summary, a DNACPR is a clear way to communicate your choice about whether or not to receive CPR in a medical emergency. It ensures that your wishes are known and respected.
For more details, please look on this NHS page.
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