Letter of Wishes
A companion to your will that explains your personal wishes, funeral preferences, and the reasoning behind your decisions.
What you get
- Funeral and burial preferences — burial, cremation, service details, music choices, and location
- Guardianship wishes and guidance for the care of your children
- Personal messages to loved ones — say what matters most in your own words
- Reasoning behind your will decisions — explain why you've divided things the way you have
- Digital accounts and passwords section — social media, subscriptions, and online banking
- Pet care instructions — who should look after them, routines, vet details, and dietary needs
- Charitable wishes — causes you care about and any donations you'd like made
- Specific personal item distribution — sentimental belongings that aren't covered in your will
- Organ donation preferences and any medical wishes
- AI-guided sections with prompts to help you write clearly and cover everything important
How your letter of wishes is created
Choose which sections to include
Pick the topics that matter to you — funeral preferences, guardianship, personal messages, and more. Takes about 2 minutes.
Write your wishes with guided prompts
Our AI-guided prompts walk you through each section so you never stare at a blank page. Write as much or as little as you like.
Download PDF — store with your will
Get a professionally formatted PDF ready to print. Keep it with your will so your family and executors can find it when they need it.
Estate Planning Bundle
Everything you need to protect your family
- Single will
- LPA (Health & Welfare)
- LPA (Property & Finance)
- Letter of wishes
How we compare
| Feature | DIY Kit | Willstead | Farewill | Solicitor |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single will price | £10–30 | £29 | £90 | £200–500+ |
| Guided questionnaire | ✗ | ✓ AI-powered | ✓ | ✓ |
| Complexity detection | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Instant delivery | ✓ (paper form) | ✓ PDF download | 2–5 days | 1–4 weeks |
| Plain-English explanations | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | Varies |
| LPA available | ✗ | ✓ £29 each | ✓ £100+ | ✓ £300+ |
| Full bundle (will + 2×LPA + letter) | N/A | £79 | £300+ | £600+ |
Complex estate?
Our tool detects complexity automatically. If your situation involves overseas assets, trusts, business property, or agricultural land, we'll recommend a specialist solicitor rather than generating a document that might not cover everything you need. Honesty is how we build trust.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a letter of wishes?
A letter of wishes is a personal document that sits alongside your will. It explains your preferences and the reasoning behind your decisions in plain language — covering everything from funeral arrangements to guardianship guidance and personal messages to loved ones.
Is a letter of wishes legally binding?
No. A letter of wishes is not a legally binding document, but executors and trustees will almost always take it into account. Courts also consider letters of wishes when interpreting your intentions, so it carries real weight even without legal force.
How is it different from a will?
A will is a legal document that deals with the distribution of your estate — property, money, and assets. A letter of wishes covers everything else: your funeral preferences, personal messages, the reasons behind your decisions, and practical details like pet care or digital accounts that don't belong in a will.
Should I store it with my will?
Yes. Keep your letter of wishes with your will so your executors and family can find both documents together. Let your executors know it exists and where it's stored. You don't need to file it with a solicitor, but you can if you'd like an extra copy held securely.
Can I update my letter of wishes?
Absolutely. Unlike a will, you can update your letter of wishes at any time without any legal formalities. It's a good idea to review it whenever your circumstances change — after a birth, bereavement, or any major life event. Simply create a new version and replace the old one.
What should I include in my letter of wishes?
That's entirely up to you. Common sections include funeral and burial preferences, guardianship guidance, personal messages to family and friends, reasoning behind your will decisions, digital account details, pet care instructions, and charitable wishes. Our guided prompts help you decide what's relevant.
Do my executors need to follow it?
Executors are not legally required to follow a letter of wishes, but in practice most do. It gives them clear guidance on your intentions and can prevent disagreements between family members. The more specific and clear you are, the more likely your wishes will be respected.
Should I tell my family about it?
Yes — at the very least, tell your executors that a letter of wishes exists and where to find it. Many people also choose to tell close family members, especially if the letter contains funeral preferences or time-sensitive wishes that need to be acted on quickly.
Get your letter of wishes sorted today
£9. No legal jargon. Ready in minutes. Money-back guarantee if you're not satisfied.
Create my letter of wishes