Having advanced cancer can mean thinking about things you might not have otherwise – like making a will or even how you would want your life to be celebrated. Some people may want to think about what they want for their funeral, while other people may not.
Making funeral arrangements
If you want to plan your funeral, you could discuss your wishes with your family and friends, lodge a plan with the funeral director of your choice or record your wishes in your will.
The executor is the name for the person you appoint to carry out the wishes left in your will. They should follow the directions in your will, but they are not legally bound to do so.
Personalising your funeral
You can personalise your funeral to suit your cultural or spiritual beliefs. You may have just a few simple requests for music you want played or poems you’d like read, or you may have lots of ideas for the full service. You can also choose not to have a funeral at all or to have a non-traditional event such as a celebration of life. If you change your mind, you can alter these arrangements at any time.
Prearranging or prepaying a funeral
To prearrange or prepay a funeral, talk to a funeral director. You can download a pre-planning information form from Funerals Australia (formerly the Australian Funeral Directors Association).
Informing your family
It’s important to let your family know of any arrangements like this that you have made. Copies of a prepaid funeral contract should be given to members of your family or filed with your will.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can find information about cancer, Sorry Business and passing into The Dreaming at ourmobandcancer.gov.au/sorry-business.
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All updated content has been clinically reviewed by Dr Lucy Gately, Medical Oncologist, Alfred Health and Walter and Eliza Institute for Medical Research, VIC and Penny Neller, Project Manager, End of Life Law for Clinicians, Australian Centre for Health Law Research, Queensland University of Technology, QLD. This edition is based on the previous edition, which was reviewed by the following panel: Dr Lucy Gately (see above); Dr Katherine Allsopp, Supportive and Palliative Care Specialist, Westmead Hospital, NSW; Prof Megan Best, The University of Notre Dame Australia and The University of Sydney, NSW; Dr Keiron Bradley, Palliative Care Consultant, Medical Director Palliative Care Program, Bethesda Health Care, WA; Craig Brewer, Consumer; Emeritus Professor Phyllis Butow, Psychologist, The University of Sydney and Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, NSW; Louise Durham, Palliative Care Nurse Practitioner Outpatients, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Metro South Palliative Care, QLD; Dr Roya Merie, Radiation Oncologist, Icon Cancer Centre, Concord, NSW; Penny Neller (see above); Caitriona Nienaber, 13 11 20 Consultant, Cancer Council WA; Xanthe Sansome, Program Director, Advance Care Planning Australia, VIC; Sparke Helmore Lawyers; Peter Spolc, Consumer.
View the Cancer Council NSW editorial policy.
