Template
Letter of instruction template
A letter of instruction is an informal, personal note that tells your loved ones what you'd want and where to find things. It carries no legal authority — your will and advance directives do that — but it spares your family from guessing during a hard week. Fill in the [bracketed] fields, keep it somewhere your family can find it, and review it every year or two. When it touches money, property, or medical wishes, have an attorney confirm your formal documents say the same.
My key contacts
The people your family should call first.
- Executor / person handling my estate: [name and phone]
- Attorney: [name and phone]
- Financial advisor or accountant: [name and phone]
- Doctor and faith leader, if relevant: [names and phone]
Where to find my documents
Point them to the originals — a letter of instruction is a map, not a vault.
- My will and any trust documents are located at [place].
- Advance directive / living will and medical power of attorney: [place].
- Insurance policies (life, home, auto, health): [place].
- Deeds, titles, and vehicle paperwork: [place].
- Passwords / a list of online accounts: [place, or name of password manager].
My accounts and finances
Enough detail to locate accounts — never write full passwords or PINs here.
- Banks and credit unions: [institution names].
- Retirement, investment, and pension accounts: [institution names].
- Recurring bills and subscriptions to cancel: [list].
- Safe-deposit box: [bank and where the key is].
My funeral and final wishes
Tell them what you'd want — it's one of the kindest things this letter can do.
- I would prefer [burial / cremation / green burial].
- For a service, I would like [a full service / something small / a celebration of life / nothing formal].
- Any pre-paid plan or arrangements are with [provider name], or: I have not pre-paid.
- Music, readings, or requests: [details]. In lieu of flowers: [charity, if any].
Practical care and personal notes
The everyday things only you know — and anything from the heart you'd like to leave.
- Care of pets: [who, and any instructions].
- Care of the home, plants, or property: [details].
- Specific items I'd like to go to specific people: [details — but confirm gifts of value in your will].
- A personal message to my family: [whatever you'd like them to read].
See also
Maintained by Calla Editorial. These templates and examples are general information, not legal or financial advice, and any sample names are fictional. See our editorial standards.