What is a document vault and why your family needs one
A document vault keeps your will, directives, and account records secure and findable. Learn what belongs in one and how to set it up before your family needs it.
7 min readAll resources
Pillar guide · 34 articles
Planning ahead
What goes into a plan, and when do you start one?
Independent living vs. assisted living vs. memory care: understanding your options
A clear guide to the differences between independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and CCRCs — what each provides, who it's for, and how to know when it's time for each level of care.
10 min readBuddhist funeral planning: customs, traditions, and what to expect
A guide to planning a Buddhist funeral: the emphasis on a peaceful death, chanting and merit-making, the role of monks, cremation, and the 49-day observance — with notes on how customs differ across Theravada, Mahayana, Tibetan, Zen, and Pure Land traditions.
9 min readEastern Orthodox funeral planning: rites, traditions, and what to expect
A guide to planning an Eastern Orthodox funeral: the Trisagion and vigil, the funeral service, the open casket, the prohibition on cremation, the memorial services, and the 40-day mourning period — with notes on Greek, Russian, and other traditions.
9 min readHindu funeral planning: rites, cremation, and what to expect
A guide to planning a Hindu funeral: the antyesti last rites, the role of the chief mourner, the prompt cremation, the immersion of ashes, and the shraddha mourning period — with notes on how customs vary by region and community.
9 min readIslamic funeral planning: Muslim burial rites and what to expect
A guide to planning a Muslim funeral: the timeline, ghusl (washing), kafan (shrouding), Salat al-Janazah (the funeral prayer), burial facing the Qibla, the rules on cremation and embalming, and the mourning period — with notes on how customs vary.
9 min readJewish funeral planning: customs, timeline, and what to expect
A guide to planning a Jewish funeral: the timeline, tahara and the chevra kadisha, the kosher casket, the graveside service, k'riah, and the mourning periods of shiva, shloshim, and the first year — plus how customs differ across movements.
9 min readLatter-day Saint (LDS) funeral planning: services and what to expect
A guide to planning a Latter-day Saint funeral: the role of the bishop and ward, the funeral service in the meetinghouse, temple burial clothing, the dedication of the grave, and how the Relief Society supports the family.
8 min readProtestant funeral planning: services, traditions, and what to expect
A guide to planning a Protestant funeral: the visitation, the funeral service, scripture and hymns, the eulogy, the committal, and how customs differ across Baptist, Methodist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Episcopal, and non-denominational churches.
9 min readBereavement coordinator: what they do and how to work with one
A bereavement coordinator is part of every hospice team, but most families don't know what they do or how to use them. This guide explains their role, when to reach out, and what they can help with.
7 min readEnd-of-life documents every hospice family needs
When a family member enters hospice, certain documents become immediately important -- and others need to be created quickly if they don't exist. This guide covers which ones matter and what to do if you don't have them.
8 min readWhat hospice families wish they'd known: planning while caregiving
Families who have been through hospice share the same handful of things they wish they had known earlier. This guide collects those lessons -- on asking for help, on using the hospice team fully, and on the planning that is easier to do before the death than after.
8 min readHow to be a caregiver without losing yourself
Caregiver burnout during a parent's terminal illness or hospice is common and serious. This guide explains the signs, what actually helps, and where to find support before you hit a wall.
8 min readHow to prepare when a parent enters hospice care: a practical family guide
When a parent enters hospice, the first 72 hours involve decisions most families have never faced. This guide covers what to expect, who shows up, what paperwork is needed, and how to divide responsibilities.
9 min readHow to talk to a dying parent about their wishes: a gentle guide
Starting a conversation with a dying parent about their final wishes is one of the hardest things a family faces. This guide covers how to open the conversation, what to ask, and how to make sure what you hear gets documented.
8 min readPlanning during hospice: a family guide
Hospice is both a care period and a planning window. This guide covers the practical and legal tasks families can complete during hospice to reduce the weight that falls on everyone after the death.
9 min readWhat to do in the last weeks of life: a family guide
The last weeks of life bring physical changes, practical decisions, and emotional weight most families have never navigated. This guide explains what to expect and what to do, in the order things typically happen.
10 min readWhat to expect during hospice care (and what to prepare)
What does hospice actually look like, day to day? This guide answers the questions families most often ask: who shows up, how often, what the medical goals are, and what family members need to do.
9 min readWhen to call hospice: five signs it's time
Most families call hospice later than they should. These five signs indicate it may be time to have the conversation with a doctor -- and what to expect when you do.
7 min readHow Passings creates and reviews its end-of-life planning content
Passings publishes guides on funeral planning, estate law, grief, and advance care. This page explains how we research, write, and review our content — and how we approach accuracy on sensitive legal and medical topics.
4 min readEnd-of-life planning glossary: 50 terms every family should know
Plain-English definitions of 50 key end-of-life planning terms — from advance directive and probate to intestate succession and POLST.
10 min readEnd-of-life planning checklist 2026: everything to do before you need to
A complete end-of-life planning checklist covering every document, decision, and conversation — organized by priority so you can start with the most important items and build from there.
9 min readEnd-of-life planning: where to start and what to do
End-of-life planning means making your wishes clear and getting key documents in place before they're urgently needed. This guide covers every area — legal documents, finances, funeral wishes, and what to leave behind for the people you care about.
10 min readPalliative care vs. hospice: what's the difference?
The key difference between palliative care and hospice — who qualifies, what's provided, how they're paid for, and when each is appropriate.
8 min readWhat is a death doula? How end-of-life doulas support families
A death doula (also called an end-of-life doula or death midwife) provides non-medical support to dying people and their families — helping with emotional preparation, legacy projects, and the practical realities of dying at home.
7 min readWhat is hospice care? A plain-English guide for families
A plain-English explanation of hospice care — eligibility, what's included, how it's paid for, and how to decide if it's right for your loved one.
8 min readCatholic funeral planning: the Rite of Christian Burial explained
A guide to planning a Catholic funeral: the three Rites (Vigil, Funeral Mass, Committal), what the Church requires, cremation rules, music and readings, working with a parish, and a planning checklist.
9 min readWhat happens to digital accounts when you die
Learn what happens to digital accounts and assets after death — email, social media, crypto, and how to prepare now so your family isn't left locked out.
7 min readImportant end-of-life documents checklist
A comprehensive end-of-life documents checklist — legal, financial, medical, and personal records to gather and organize before they're urgently needed.
7 min readEnd-of-life planning guide: what to do and where to start
A clear end-of-life planning guide covering medical wishes, legal documents, financial preparation, and the conversations that help your family when it matters most.
8 min readEstate planning checklist: what to prepare and when
A comprehensive estate planning checklist covering wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, power of attorney, and documents to gather before you need them.
7 min readHow to Pre-Plan a Funeral: A Step-by-Step Guide for Every Family
Pre-planning a funeral is one of the most thoughtful things you can do for your family. This step-by-step guide walks you through every decision — from burial vs cremation to choosing a funeral home and recording your wishes.
11 min readHow to write an advance directive: a plain-English guide
An advance directive is a legal document recording your healthcare wishes so doctors and family know what to do if you cannot speak for yourself. This guide explains all four types — living will, healthcare proxy, DNR, and POLST — and shows exactly how to complete each one without a lawyer.
11 min readWhy pre-planning your funeral is one of the kindest things you can do
Pre-planning eliminates guesswork for your family during an already difficult time. This guide explains what to decide, how to record it, and how to share it safely.
6 min read