Writing a will and pre-planning a funeral are often treated as two separate tasks, but both are important parts of preparing for the future. A will helps protect your legal and financial wishes by setting out how your estate should be managed, while funeral pre-planning gives your family clearer guidance about the kind of farewell you would prefer.

Planning ahead can reduce uncertainty for the people closest to you. This guide explains how to write a will, how funeral pre-planning serves a different purpose, and how considering both can give your family clearer guidance. 

Why Writing a Will Is So Important

A will is a legal document that records how you would like your estate to be managed after your death. Your estate may include property, savings, investments, personal belongings and other assets, as well as any debts or financial obligations that need to be addressed.

Every adult should consider having a will, regardless of their age or the value of their assets. Even a relatively simple estate can become difficult for family members to manage when there are no clear instructions in place.

A properly prepared will can appoint an executor to administer your estate, identify the people or organisations you want to benefit and explain how your assets should be distributed.

If a person dies without a valid will, WA law determines how the estate is distributed, which may not reflect their preferences. A properly prepared will gives the executor and beneficiaries clearer direction and can help reduce delays or disagreements. Writing one is a practical way to organise your affairs and ease the burden on family.

How to Write a Will

Learning how to write a will starts with getting a clear picture of your personal and financial circumstances. Before preparing the document, make a list of your assets, such as property, savings, investments, vehicles and valuable belongings, as well as any debts or other financial obligations.

You will also need to choose an executor. This is the person responsible for carrying out the instructions in your will, managing the estate and helping ensure assets are distributed as intended. It is important to choose someone you trust and who is willing to take on the responsibility.

The next step is identifying your beneficiaries and deciding what you would like each person or organisation to receive. If you have children under 18, you should also consider who you would like to appoint as their guardian. 

Because a will must meet specific legal requirements, it is sensible to have it prepared or reviewed by a qualified legal professional. In Western Australia, it must also be properly signed and witnessed to help ensure it is valid and accurately reflects your intentions. 

A will should not be treated as something you prepare once and never revisit. Significant life events such as marriage, divorce, the birth of a child, the death of a beneficiary or a major financial change may affect whether it still reflects your wishes.

Reviewing it regularly helps keep the document current and gives greater certainty to the people who may one day rely on it. 

Writing a Will and Testament Is Only Part of the Picture

Writing a will and testament is an important part of planning ahead, but it mainly deals with legal and financial matters after death. It can appoint an executor, identify beneficiaries and explain how your estate should be distributed, but it may not provide the practical detail your family needs when arranging a funeral.

Funeral decisions often need to be made soon after a death. A will may not be located or reviewed before funeral arrangements begin, and a broad preference for burial or cremation may not cover details such as the service, music, readings or cultural traditions.

In WA, the executor named in the will, usually has authority to arrange the funeral. Discussing your wishes with that person and close family members, and recording the details separately, can make those wishes easier to follow. Families may also find it helpful to understand what to do when someone dies. 

How Funeral Pre-Planning Works Alongside Your Will

Pre-planning your own funeral is a separate process from preparing a will, but the two can work together. A will records legal and financial instructions, while funeral planning gives you an opportunity to document the practical and personal details of the farewell you would prefer.

Pre-planning may record burial or cremation, the type and location of the service, and personal requests such as music, readings or cultural traditions. Hetherington’s funeral pre-planning process can also document choices about a coffin or casket, flowers, a celebrant or minister, catering, photo tributes, programs, funeral notices and transport. 

Keeping these preferences with your important documents and telling your executor or family where to find them makes the plan more useful. A funeral pre-plan complements your will but does not replace a legally valid will. 

The Importance of Pre-Planning a Funeral

Pre-planning a funeral can reduce the number of decisions family members need to make and give them greater confidence to honour your final wishes.

Pre-planning also gives you time to consider burial or cremation, the service location, cultural or religious traditions, music and readings without immediate pressure. Hetherington’s funeral pre-planning options also explain choices such as eco funerals, repatriation and live streaming for people who cannot attend in person. 

Some people also choose to consider how future funeral costs may be met. Hetherington’s distinguishes between a pre-arrangement, which records wishes without requiring upfront payment, and financial options such as prepaid funerals or a funeral bond. Terms vary, so current product information and individual circumstances should be considered. 

By putting clear preferences in place, you can give your loved ones practical guidance while allowing them to focus more fully on supporting one another.

Common Questions About Wills and Funeral Planning

Does My Will Include My Funeral Wishes?

A will can include general funeral wishes, such as whether you would prefer burial or cremation. However, it may not contain all the practical details your family needs, and it may not be reviewed before funeral arrangements begin. Recording your preferences separately and discussing them with your executor and loved ones can make those wishes easier to understand and follow.

Do I Need Both a Will and a Funeral Plan?

A will and a funeral pre-arrangement serve different purposes. The will deals mainly with your estate, beneficiaries and executor, while the pre-arrangement records practical preferences for the funeral. One does not replace the other. 

Can I Change My Will or Funeral Preferences Later?

Yes. Your will can generally be updated while you have the legal capacity to do so, although any changes must be completed correctly to remain valid. It is advisable to speak with a qualified legal professional before changing or replacing a will.

Funeral preferences can also be reviewed and updated as your circumstances, beliefs or personal wishes change. Make sure your family knows where the most recent version is kept.

When Should I Start Planning?

A will and funeral pre-plan are worth considering, it provides clearer instructions for your affairs, especially after major family or financial changes. Funeral preferences can also be recorded at any stage; Hetherington’s pre-planning service has no age limit or medical assessment requirement. 

Planning Ahead With Clarity and Care

Wills and funeral pre-plans serve different purposes, but together they can give loved ones clearer guidance about the estate and funeral arrangements. Recording those decisions now can reduce uncertainty when family members need to act.

Forward planning is a practical act of care that makes your wishes easier to understand and follow. 

If you’d like to learn more about recording your funeral wishes or understanding your pre-planning options, speak with the caring team at Hetherington Funerals on 1300 554 300.

This article provides general information only and should not be considered legal or financial advice. For advice about preparing, reviewing or changing a will, speak with a suitably qualified legal professional. Before choosing a funeral-related financial product, review the current terms and seek appropriate financial advice.