How to Choose an End of Life Planner in Australia
Planning ahead isn't always easy to think about, but it may be one of the kindest gifts you can leave your family.
An end of life planner helps organise the important information your loved ones may need if something unexpected happens. It brings together everything from personal wishes and important contacts to passwords, online accounts, subscriptions and essential documents in one secure place.
With so many planners available in Australia, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. Some focus mainly on legal matters, while others include health information, funeral wishes or financial planning. Increasingly, Australians are also looking for planners that include their digital life.
This guide explains exactly what to look for when choosing an end of life planner in Australia.
Why an End of Life Planner Matters
Most Australians now manage significant parts of their lives online.
Think about everything connected to your digital identity:
Email accounts
Online banking
Superannuation portals
Government services
Social media
Cloud photo storage
Subscription services
Password managers
Smartphones and tablets
Online shopping accounts
Without a clear record, families are often left searching through devices, paperwork and emails during an already emotional time.
A well-designed planner makes this process much simpler.
What Should an End of Life Planner Include?
The best planners cover much more than funeral wishes.
Look for one that includes:
Personal Information
Emergency contacts
Family details
Important identification numbers
Medicare information
Health insurance
Important Documents
There should be space to record where documents are stored, including:
Will
Power of Attorney
Enduring Guardian
Birth Certificate
Marriage Certificate
Property documents
Insurance policies
The planner should tell your family where documents are located—not encourage storing originals inside it.
Financial Information
A quality planner should help organise:
Bank accounts
Credit cards
Loans
Investments
Superannuation
Regular bills
Insurance providers
Again, account numbers may be useful, but passwords and PINs should be handled carefully.
Digital Assets
This is where many traditional planners fall short.
Today, your digital life is often just as important as your physical paperwork.
Look for sections covering:
Email accounts
Apple ID or Google Account
Microsoft account
Facebook
Instagram
LinkedIn
X (Twitter)
Cloud storage
Photo libraries
Streaming subscriptions
Online shopping accounts
Domain names
Cryptocurrency (if applicable)
A planner without digital organisation leaves a significant gap.
Password Management
Many planners simply include pages to write passwords.
While this may suit some people, a better approach is one that explains:
how passwords should be organised
how to update them
when to use a password manager
how trusted family members can access important accounts if necessary
The goal isn't simply recording passwords—it's creating a secure system your family can actually use.
Digital Legacy Planning
One of the biggest differences between an ordinary planner and a modern one is digital legacy planning.
Ask yourself:
What happens to my Facebook account?
Who can access my photos?
Can my family retrieve my emails?
How will they unlock my phone?
What subscriptions should be cancelled?
Are there online businesses or websites that need managing?
Many Australians have never considered these questions until it's too late.
Is the Planner Easy to Update?
Life changes.
A planner should be designed so you can review it every year.
Look for:
Annual review pages
Easy-to-read layouts
Plenty of writing space
Clear sections
Durable construction
Avoid planners that become cluttered after just a few updates.
Does It Include Guidance?
Many inexpensive planners are simply blank forms.
The best planners explain:
what information belongs in each section
why it matters
how to complete it
common mistakes to avoid
Some even include video tutorials or online resources to guide you step by step.
Physical Planner or Digital Planner?
Many people ask whether everything should simply be stored digitally.
There are advantages to both.
Physical Planner
Pros
Easy for family members to find
No passwords required
Simple to complete
Ideal for older Australians
Works without internet access
Cons
Needs updating manually
Digital Planner
Pros
Easy to edit
Searchable
Cloud backup
Cons
Requires logins
Family may not know where it's stored
Technology can become inaccessible during emergencies
For many Australian families, the ideal solution is a physical planner supported by secure digital records.
Questions to Ask Before Buying
Before purchasing any end of life planner, ask:
Does it include digital assets?
Does it help organise online accounts?
Is there room for future updates?
Is it written for Australians?
Does it explain what to record?
Is the layout easy for family members to follow?
Will it still be useful five years from now?
Does it include guidance for passwords and digital legacy planning?
If the answer to several of these questions is "no", it may not provide the support your family needs.
Why Digital Organisation Is Becoming Essential
Australians now leave behind far more than physical belongings.
Most people have:
hundreds of online accounts
thousands of digital photos
streaming subscriptions
cloud storage
smartphones
email accounts
online banking
government services
social media profiles
Without proper organisation, families often spend weeks trying to locate and access this information.
A planner that includes digital organisation can save significant time, reduce stress and make an already difficult period a little easier.
Choosing the Right End of Life Planner
The best end of life planner isn't necessarily the most expensive.
It's the one that helps your family quickly understand:
what information exists
where it's stored
who to contact
what needs to happen next
Look for a planner that combines practical organisation with guidance, clear layouts and dedicated sections for today's digital world.
After all, planning ahead isn't about expecting the worst—it's about making life easier for the people you care about most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an end of life planner?
An end of life planner is a workbook or journal that helps organise your personal information, important documents, financial details, digital accounts and wishes so your family knows what to do if something happens to you.
Are end of life planners legal documents?
No. An end of life planner is not a legal document and does not replace a valid Will, Enduring Power of Attorney or Advance Care Directive. Instead, it complements these documents by helping your family locate important information quickly.
Should I include passwords in an end of life planner?
You can record password information if you choose, but it's generally better to use a secure password management system and include instructions on how trusted family members can access it. Avoid storing highly sensitive information in an unsecured location.
What is digital legacy planning?
Digital legacy planning involves organising your online accounts, digital assets, cloud storage, social media profiles and electronic records so they can be managed or accessed according to your wishes.
What is the best end of life planner in Australia?
The best planner is one that suits your needs and includes both traditional estate planning information and dedicated sections for your digital life. Look for an Australian-focused planner that is easy to update, clearly organised and provides practical guidance throughout.
Explore our End of Life Planning Journal – See how the journal helps organise passwords, accounts, important documents and digital wishes in one practical system.
Learn what happens to your online accounts when you die – Understand how email, social media, cloud storage and subscriptions may be managed after death.
Read our guide to what should be included in an end of life planner – Compare the essential sections every useful planner should contain.
Download the free Family Digital Asset Checklist – Start identifying the accounts, devices and digital information your family may need.
