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SettledWell

End-of-Life Planning · San Diego, CA

End-of-Life Planning Checklist

30 Steps · 6 Sections · Free to Use

Complete End-of-Life Planning Checklist

Use this checklist to work through the key steps of end-of-life planning for yourself or a loved one. Work through each section at your own pace — check off items as you complete them.

Tip: Print this out and keep it somewhere accessible. Review it once a year and after any major life change (marriage, divorce, new home, new child).

1 Funeral Pre-Planning 5 items

Research funeral homes in San Diego and compare costs

Decide between burial and cremation

Choose a casket or urn

Consider pre-paying funeral expenses

Document funeral wishes and preferences

2 Cemetery Selection 5 items

Visit San Diego cemeteries (Greenwood, El Camino, Fort Rosecrans for veterans)

Compare lot types and pricing

Purchase cemetery plot or niche

Arrange perpetual care and maintenance

Record cemetery deed and location details

3 Legal Documents 6 items

Draft or update your will

Establish a living trust

Complete an advance healthcare directive

Designate power of attorney (financial + medical)

Review and update beneficiary designations

Document digital account credentials and access

4 Document Storage 4 items

Gather all important documents in one secure location

Upload copies to a secure digital vault

Share vault access with trusted family member

Create a master document inventory list

5 Financial Preparation 5 items

Review life insurance policies and coverage

Update all beneficiary designations

Create list of all financial accounts with access info

Consider long-term care insurance

Pre-fund funeral and burial expenses

6 Communication Plan 5 items

Inform family of your end-of-life wishes

Designate emergency contacts

Create contact list for notifications

Write personal messages or letters

Schedule annual review of all plans