life file checklist

Life FileChecklist

A guide to help you withdata and documents.

This is a file about all the importantaspects of your life.

You must keep it safe, and only certain trusted family members must know about it.

A Life File contains all your personal information, such as:

• Beneficiaries

• Bank Accounts

• Life and funeral policies

• Investments

• Property Details

• Your certified Will

• Your nominated estate executors and lawyers

• A copy of your ID

A life file will ensure that you are able to communicate your wishes and ensures that the administrative requirements are as

easy as possible for those left behind.

© Copyright Clientèle 2021. All rights reserved.Clientèle Funeral plans are underwritten and administered by Clientèle Life Assurance Company Limited, an authorised financial services provider and registered insurer, FSP: 15268.


A guide to help you with data and documents.

Copy of your ID

Street Address & Postal Address

Telephone numbers

Copy of your Spouse’s ID(if applicable)

Medical informationIncluding the details of any doctor that had recently been treating you for any ailments

Next of Kin information

Include phone, tablet, computer, email etc. Consider using password software like LastPass or 1Password,which allows you to pass on your passwords to your heirs.

Create a password list

Review your social media accounts and decide what you’d like to happen with them when you die.Every social media platform has different options.

Logins to your social media accounts

Document your bank account information, including safe-deposit box locations.Bank account information

Document any life insurance policies and beneficiaries, including information on funeral insurance or pre-paid burial plot, if applicable.Life insurance documents

Short term insurance contracts

Copy of your payslip

Contact information for your place of work

Funeral policy documents

Tick the box if you have the data/documentation

Your Data and Documents Checklist:Print out a hard copy of each of these documents and add it in a file or folder along with this checklist.

Use the checklist as guide to ensure you have added all the required documents, and include any additional documents you deem important that might not be mentioned on the below checklist.


Retirement Annuity documents

List your outstanding debt

Income TAX reference number

Title deed / lease agreement of your property

Include your WillOr the location or contact numbers of where the will is kept. Consider updating it if things have changed in your life since you last did it.

Guardians for your childrenIf this information is not included in your will, make sure to appoint guardians for your children.

Note how statements are received and payments made. Identify which bills are ongoing and which have an end date.Make a list of bills with due dates and amounts

Include a certified copy of the appointed executor’s ID.Appoint an executor for your estate

Estate details of former spouse if divorced or deceased

Divorce order / Settlement order

Marriage Certificate

Antenuptial Contract

Municipal account

Telephone account



Your Data and Documents Checklist:Print out a hard copy of each of these documents and add it in a file or folder along with this checklist.

Use the checklist as guide to ensure you have added all the required documents, and include any additional documents you deem important that might not be mentioned on the below checklist.


Living WillExpress your wishes in terms of organ donation and give permission to disconnect the machines which are used to keep you alive ifyou can no longer communicate. Make your advance directive specific. Address a variety of different scenarios, e.g. in what situationyou would want to receive morphine, when would you not want to be intubated.

Talk to your physician about your advance directiveExplore whether or not your wishes can be turned into a POLST/MOLST (Physician/Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment)form in your state.

Designate meaningful items to be given away to specific peopleConsider doing so now, rather than spelling it out in your will.

Emergency moneyIdentify the location of any cash you have stored for emergencies, and provide instructions on how to use it.

Dispose of itemsDispose of any items you own that you wouldn’t want your heirs to find. Include instructions about disposing of sensitive items, e.g.your high school diaries, for a trusted friend or family member.

Where to FindDraft a “Where to Find…” document identifying the location of important things your heirs might need after your death: the deed toyour house, the title and keys to your car, your ID and Medicare cards.

Motor vehicle registration document

TV License

Firearm license

Motor vehicle license



Your Care Checklist:

Your Possession Checklist:


Write your own obituaryDoing so will give you control over how you are publicly remembered.

Write down instructions for your final dispositionWhat do you want to happen to your body when you die?

Make copiesMake copies of your Life File’s contents and leave them with a trusted friend or family member.



Your Legacy Checklist:

Secure Your Life File Checklist:

Plan for your funeral / remembrance ceremonyWho are your chosen speakers? What music would you like to include? Write down and share your vision.

Create a message for loved onesWrite a letter, make a video, whatever you think will be most meaningful for the people who matter most.