Creating a letter of wishes gives you the opportunity to capture your wishes that are more personal in nature, and the following are examples of what can be included.
-
Your name, address and contact information
-
Preferences of funeral, burial or cremation, specific service or wake instructions, to have your ashes sprinkled, or to be buried
-
Declare what songs or hymns you would like, how the wake is organised and give your nominees special instructions including any areas of importance
-
Who to notify of your death, or in some cases, who not to tell
-
Guides your friends, family, executors and trustees on how you would like your Will to be run, any trusts created or money to be managed
-
List any assets or sentimental items such as, jewellery, their location, and who to gift them to. These items may be included in your Will but not conflict with it
-
Advise guardians on raising your children, their education, and any religious upbringing or instruction which can be reviewed as the children grow up
-
Any directions, actions or detailed information pertinent to you that you wish to be carried out on your behalf
-
Provide explanations as to why you have excluded someone from the Will to address any potential future challenges
-
A letter of wishes should be written in plain English, signed and dated, but not witnessed to avoid any claim that it becomes a legal Will or codicil