Talking About the Future: Wills, Organ Donation & Funerals

Medically Reviewed by: Dr Jackie Gray, Public Health Expert and Retired GP
(Carents Trusted Reviewer Programme – Last reviewed July 2025)

Opening this conversation can feel daunting. Start small, ask open questions about preferences for the future, then listen without pushing for instant answers.

Bring in a trusted friend, sibling, or professional if it helps reduce tension.

Use examples eg “What would you like to happen with your furniture” to make it concrete.

This step-by-step approach prevents overwhelm and keeps the discussion respectful.

A will is a legal document that sets out what will happen to your money, property, and possessions after you die. Without one, your estate will be divided according to UK law, not personal wishes.

• Writing a will could make things easier for your family at a difficult time.

• You can write one yourself with guidance from banks, charities, or even some supermarkets.

• Citizens Advice can help, or you can use a solicitor for professional advice.

Government advice on making a will has full details.

Your “digital estate” includes emails, photos, social media accounts, and other password-protected files. These can be significant and are often overlooked.

• Many platforms let you choose a “legacy contact”, someone who can access your account after your death.

• Make a secure record of passwords and instructions for trusted people.

• Think about what you want kept, deleted, or passed on.

Learn more at the Digital Legacy Association.

A clear checklist can help you see what’s done and what’s left:

• Make or update your will

• Record online account details and wishes

• Review organ donation decision

• Document funeral preferences

• Store important papers in one place

This isn’t about being morbid, it’s about saving loved ones unnecessary stress.

Streaming services, cloud storage, and app subscriptions can keep charging long after someone dies.

Make a list of these accounts and instructions for cancelling them. This can save money and avoid unwanted renewals. 

Many services have bereavement teams to help once they receive proof of death.

In the UK, adults are assumed to be organ donors unless they formally record a decision not to. This includes corneas and some tissues like skin or bone.

You’re excluded if you:

• Lack the mental capacity to understand the system

• Are visiting or not living in the UK voluntarily

• Have lived here less than 12 months before death

For more details or to opt out, visit the NHS Organ Donation site.

The “opt-out” system was introduced in England in May 2020, but awareness is still low. Many families are surprised by the rules. Even if you don’t opt out, your family will be asked for their views. Having a clear conversation now can avoid confusion later on.

If you have specific ideas for music, readings, or where you’d like the service held, write them down now. Share these with at least one person you trust.

You can also decide whether you’d like a traditional burial, cremation, or alternative options like a woodland burial.

You can share funeral instructions verbally, in writing, or in your will. You might also consider a pre-paid funeral.

Funeral directors, charities like Age UK, and Marie Curie offer useful advice.

The National Association of Funeral Directors has information on livestreaming services and warning signs for funeral scams.

Medically reviewed by Dr Jackie Gray, July 2025