Introduction
Legacy isn’t only about money and wills rather it’s about making sure your wishes are known, your belongings don’t become a burden, and the things that matter to you are passed on with intention rather than left to guesswork. You are making sure that you’ve laid out a path for your wishes, your belongings and ultimately your legacy that your family and friends can follow because your Sorted it. This page brings together the practical and the personal sides of that.
Funeral Wishes and memorials
One of my early memories is listening to my grandmother talking about her desire for a simple funeral “with just some pansies on my coffin”. I was 11 years old when she died and it’s only now that I reflect on how the rest of the family didn’t know or hadn’t listened. The funeral flower arrangement was immense and so out of proportion of what she would’ve wanted.
Most families have never discussed funeral preferences before they’re suddenly needed, which usually means decisions get made under pressure, and sometimes with disagreement about “what they would have wanted.” Recording burial or cremation preference, service type, budget guidance, and who to notify removes that burden entirely.
Full guide: Funeral Wishes
Swedish Death Cleaning
“Döstädning” or Swedish death cleaning is the practice of gradually sorting through belongings so loved ones aren’t left to do it during their grief. It’s less about minimalism, more about consideration: keeping what has real meaning, and passing on the rest thoughtfully, on your own terms, while you can.
Full guide: Swedish Death Cleaning
Checklists
All legacy planning will be Sorted when there are:-
- Funeral wishes recorded and stored in a known location
- Sentimental items identified and, where possible, gifted with their story explained
- Digital accounts listed (see Digital Legacy below)
- Will reviewed to reflect current wishes
Memory and Legacy
Beyond documents and belongings, many people want to leave something more personal. This could include letters, recorded messages, or a simple written account of family history. This doesn’t need to be formal or polished; even a short note of the story behind a keepsake can mean far more to family later than the item itself. You can be satisfied that you’ve left your legacy in a way that helps your family and friends remember what you meant to them and them to you.
Digital Legacy
Most people now have a scattered “digital estate”. Think social media, emails, photo storage, subscriptions and most with no plan for what happens to it. Two decisions matter most: what should be deleted (unused subscriptions, accounts with no ongoing value) and what should be kept and passed on (photos, meaningful accounts). Most major platforms (Facebook, Google, Apple) have a “legacy contact” or memorialisation setting. Explore this and consider if it is worth setting up now rather than leaving family to work things out later.
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