Letter of Last Instruction: A Complete Guide to Organizing Your Final Wishes
- By Willi Olsen
- Updated
Death Notification
This is a list of individuals and organisations that should be notified of your passing. It may include family members, your employer, friends, neighbours, business partners, community groups (e.g., sports clubs, church, marae, or social organisations), your lawyer, accountant, insurance adviser, and any other relevant contacts.
Funeral Arrangements
What kind of funeral would you prefer? Consider including details such as: special songs or waiata, public or private service, open or closed casket, charitable donations, memorials, obituary details, cremation and the handling of ashes, burial location (e.g., urupā or cemetery), and preferred pallbearers.
Personal and Professional Contacts and Documents
This section guides your loved ones on where to find important personal and professional documents. Be specific about locations, such as the key to a lockbox or the drawer in your desk where files are kept. If you have electronic copies of these documents, ensure you include instructions on how to access them.
Many people in New Zealand use online storage solutions or secure electronic vaults offered by financial firms to keep important documents safe. If you use such services, provide clear instructions, including any login details or contacts for assistance.
For professional contacts, include the names and details of your lawyer, accountant, financial adviser, or any other key professionals who may need to be consulted. This will help ensure everything is managed smoothly during what may be a difficult time for your loved ones.
Insurance Details
Are you insured? Prepare a list of all your insurance policies, including life, health, income protection, Fire and General insurance, such as car, home, and contents cover.
Include details about each policy, such as the insurer, policy number, and type of coverage.
Make sure to specify where the policy documents are stored, whether in a filing cabinet, a safe deposit box, or online.
Also, consider cancelling or updating any insurance policies. Providing this information ensures your loved ones can handle your insurance matters smoothly when necessary.
Do you pay the bills?
In many New Zealand households, one person often takes the lead on managing the bills. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the primary earner—it’s simply the person who handles payments, keeps accounts in order, and ensures everything is up to date.
If you’re the one in charge of this, it’s important to leave clear instructions for how your bills are paid. Some payments might be automated from a savings or transaction account, while others might be charged to a credit card (perhaps to earn reward points).
This is especially important for personal insurance, such as life, health, and income protection, as well as fire and general insurance for your car, home, and contents. Ensuring these are paid on time is crucial for keeping coverage active.
Outlining how bills are paid—whether through automatic direct debit, manual transfers, or recurring credit card charges—will make it easier for someone else to take over if necessary. Include notes on any payments that should be cancelled, such as non-essential subscriptions or services, so they aren’t overlooked.
Clear instructions can save a lot of stress during an already challenging time.
Personal Notes and Thanks
On a more personal note, you may want to include a final message for your family and close friends. In my own Letter of Last Instruction, I’ve added messages throughout to share what my wife and kids mean to me.
This guide covers many, but not all, of the things you might want to include. Don’t feel overwhelmed—start small with the most important things you’d like to say. You can write your letter by hand, in a Word document, or as I’ve done, in an Excel file with separate tabs for different topics. There are also many templates available online, including one we’ve created for New Zealand families. Make it something you can update regularly. None of us knows what tomorrow holds, and making things easier for your loved ones is a meaningful way to show you care.
Feel free to use our Letter of Last Instruction Template to get started. You can complete it directly in the file or print it out and write your information by hand. It’s a simple way to organise your final wishes and give your family peace of mind.
Author Bio:
Willi Olsen
I love to write and educate about financial protection. I’ve worked in the insurance industry since 2004, both in Scandinavia and New Zealand, and I hold dual citizenship.
Over the years, I’ve helped my people with life, health, and income protection and, most importantly, assisted when tragedy or illness has happened.
I’m a registered financial advisor with the Financial Markets Authority – check my registration here.
To back up my practical experience, I have the New Zealand Certificate in Financial Services (NZCFS Level 5) in Life, Health, and Disability and the (NZCFS Level 5) Investments strand.
Connect with me here on LinkedIn.
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