Essential Information Checklist for Your Family

Introduction: Why This Checklist Matters

In times of crisis, family members face numerous procedures and tasks while dealing with grief.

Challenges Your Family May Face:

• Not knowing where things are located
• Being unaware of existing contracts
• Not knowing whom to contact
• Unable to access information due to unknown passwords

By organizing information according to this checklist, you can significantly reduce the burden on your family.

Category 1: Financial Institution Information [TOP PRIORITY]

✅ Bank Accounts

Information to Record:

□ Bank name
□ Branch name (branch number)
□ Account type (checking/savings/time deposit)
□ Account number
□ Account holder name
□ Approximate balance
□ Location of bankbook/ATM card
□ Online banking ID
□ Customer support contact
□ Automatic payment settings

Example Entry:

■ Primary Bank
・Bank name: Chase Bank
・Branch: Manhattan Branch (Branch #123)
・Account type: Checking
・Account number: 1234567
・Balance: Approx. $15,000
・Bankbook location: Living room drawer, 2nd level
・Online banking ID: user123@example.com
・Customer support: 1-800-XXX-XXXX
・Automatic payments: Electricity, gas, water, mobile phone

■ Secondary Bank (Savings)
・Bank name: Ally Bank
・Account number: 12345-12345678
・Balance: Approx. $5,000
・Bankbook location: Safe

If You Have Multiple Accounts:

• Organize by purpose (daily expenses/savings/investment)
• Note priority order
• Include dormant accounts

✅ Securities Accounts & Investments

Information to Record:

□ Brokerage firm name
□ Branch name
□ Account number
□ General holdings overview
□ Approximate asset value
□ Login information
□ Advisor contact (if applicable)
□ Trading password

Example Entry:

■ Fidelity Investments
・Account number: 1234567890
・Holdings: 3 mutual funds, 5 stock positions
・Asset value: Approx. $20,000
・Login ID: user@example.com
・Trading password: [Stored in password manager]
・Support: 1-800-XXX-XXXX

✅ Credit Cards

Information to Record:

□ Card issuer name
□ Card number (last 4 digits acceptable)
□ Cardholder name
□ Expiration date
□ Annual fee (if any)
□ Credit limit
□ Lost/stolen contact number
□ Recurring payment settings

Example Entry:

■ Primary Card
・Card: Chase Sapphire Preferred
・Number: **** **** **** 1234
・Annual fee: $95 (charged every April)
・Lost card hotline: 1-800-XXX-XXXX
・Recurring payments: Netflix, Spotify, Adobe

■ Secondary Card
・Card: American Express Blue Cash
・Number: **** **** **** 5678
・Annual fee: None
・Recurring payments: Amazon Prime

Important Notes:

• Use caution when recording full card numbers
• Encrypt when possible
• Store securely

✅ Digital Wallets & Payment Apps

Information to Record:

□ Service name (Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, etc.)
□ Registered email address/phone number
□ Approximate balance
□ Linked credit cards
□ Login method
□ Auto-reload settings

Example Entry:

□ PayPal
  └ Email: user@example.com
  └ Balance: Approx. $50
  └ Linked card: Chase Sapphire

□ Apple Pay
  └ Registered on iPhone
  └ Linked card: American Express

✅ Cryptocurrency

Information to Record:

□ Exchange name
□ Currency types held
□ Approximate quantity/value
□ Login information
□ Private key storage location (CRITICAL)
□ Hardware wallet (if applicable)

Example Entry:

■ Coinbase
・Holdings: 0.5 Bitcoin
・Login ID: user@example.com
・2FA: Google Authenticator
・Private keys: Sealed envelope in safe

■ Hardware Wallet
・Type: Ledger Nano S
・Storage location: Home safe
・Recovery phrase: Separate envelope in safe

CRITICAL: Private keys and recovery phrases are the most important information. Always back up in multiple secure locations to prevent loss.

Category 2: Insurance Policies [HIGH PRIORITY]

✅ Life Insurance

Information to Record:

□ Insurance company name
□ Policy type (term/whole life/universal, etc.)
□ Policy number
□ Policyholder name
□ Insured person name
□ Beneficiary
□ Coverage amount
□ Premium (monthly/annual)
□ Policy period
□ Agent contact information
□ Policy document location

Example Entry:

■ Primary Policy
・Company: MetLife
・Type: Whole life insurance
・Policy number: XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
・Insured: Self
・Beneficiary: Spouse
・Coverage: $100,000
・Premium: $150/month
・Agent: John Smith (Tel: 555-XXX-XXXX)
・Documents: Living room drawer

■ Riders
・Accidental death rider: $50,000
・Disability waiver of premium

✅ Health Insurance & Disability Insurance

Information to Record:

□ Insurance company name
□ Policy number
□ Coverage details
□ Premium
□ Policy document location

✅ Auto Insurance & Homeowners Insurance

Information to Record:

□ Insurance company name
□ Policy number
□ Coverage period
□ Premium
□ Renewal date
□ Claims contact number

Category 3: Digital Accounts [MEDIUM PRIORITY]

✅ Email Accounts

Information to Record:

□ Email service (Gmail, Outlook, etc.)
□ Email address
□ Password (or storage location)
□ 2FA setup status
□ Important email senders
□ Emails to delete

Example Entry:

□ Primary Email
  └ Gmail: user@gmail.com
  └ Password: Stored in password manager
  └ 2FA: Google Authenticator
  └ Important: Bank, brokerage, insurance emails

□ Work Email
  └ Company email: user@company.com
  └ Access: Company PC only
  └ Contact: HR department (Tel: XX-XXXX-XXXX)

✅ Social Media Accounts

Information to Record:

□ Service name
□ Account name/ID
□ Login information
□ Preference: delete or memorialize
□ Data to download

Example Entry:

□ Facebook
  └ Login: user@example.com
  └ Preference: Convert to memorial account
  └ Manager: Spouse (facebook.com/spouse)

□ Instagram
  └ Account: @username
  └ Preference: Download photos, then delete

□ X (formerly Twitter)
  └ Account: @username
  └ Preference: Keep as is

□ WhatsApp
  └ Phone: 555-XXX-XXXX
  └ Preference: Backup chat history, then delete

✅ Subscription Services

Information to Record:

□ Service name
□ Monthly cost
□ Payment method
□ Subscriber name
□ Login information
□ Cancellation process
□ Preferred action (continue or cancel)

Example Entry:

■ Cancel Immediately
□ Netflix ($14.99/month)
  └ Payment: Credit card
  └ Cancellation: App > Account > Cancel Membership

□ Adobe Creative Cloud ($52.99/month)
  └ Next renewal: August 2026
  └ Cancellation: Adobe official website

■ Consider Continuing
□ iCloud ($0.99/month)
  └ Contains photo data
  └ Family sharing available

✅ Cloud Storage

Information to Record:

□ Service name
□ Stored data description
□ Storage capacity
□ Login information
□ Important folder locations

Example Entry:

□ Google Drive
  └ Capacity: 100GB (70GB used)
  └ Important folders:
    - Family photos (/Photos/Family/)
    - Important documents (/Documents/Important/)
    - Password list (/Private/passwords.xlsx)

□ Dropbox
  └ Capacity: 2GB
  └ Contents: Work-related files
  └ Action: Contact company

Category 4: Housing & Utilities [MEDIUM PRIORITY]

✅ Housing Information

Information to Record:

[If You Own Your Home]
□ Property address
□ Deed location
□ Mortgage status
□ Lender name & balance
□ Mortgage insurance status
□ Property tax payment method

[If You Rent]
□ Property management company & contact
□ Landlord contact
□ Lease agreement location
□ Security deposit information
□ Rent payment method
□ Lease renewal date

✅ Utilities

Information to Record:

□ Electricity: Company name, account number, payment method
□ Gas: Company name, account number, payment method
□ Water: Company name, account number, payment method
□ Internet: ISP, plan details
□ Mobile phone: Carrier, plan details, cancellation process

Category 5: Medical & Healthcare Information [HIGH PRIORITY]

✅ Primary Care Physicians

Information to Record:

□ Medical facility name
□ Department/specialty
□ Doctor's name
□ Contact information
□ Visit frequency
□ Main conditions/treatment

Example Entry:

□ Primary Care
  └ City Medical Clinic
  └ Doctor: Dr. John Smith
  └ Tel: 555-XXX-XXXX
  └ Visits: Monthly (2nd Saturday)
  └ Treatment: Hypertension, diabetes

□ Dentist
  └ Downtown Dental
  └ Tel: 555-YYY-YYYY
  └ Visits: Twice yearly (checkups)

✅ Current Medications

Information to Record:

□ Medication name
□ Dosage & frequency
□ Prescribing physician/hospital
□ Reason for prescription
□ Side effects (if any)

Example Entry:

□ Blood pressure medication: Amlodipine 5mg
  └ Dosage: 1 tablet every morning
  └ Prescribed by: City Medical Clinic
  └ Reason: Hypertension treatment

□ Diabetes medication: Metformin 500mg
  └ Dosage: 1 tablet after each meal (3x daily)
  └ Prescribed by: City Medical Clinic

✅ Allergies & Medical History

Information to Record:

□ Allergies (medications, foods, etc.)
□ Past illnesses/surgeries
□ Current chronic conditions
□ Blood type
□ Emergency contact information (ICE card)

Category 6: Emergency Contacts [HIGHEST PRIORITY]

✅ Family & Relatives

Information to Record:

□ Name
□ Relationship
□ Phone number
□ Email address
□ Home address
□ Emergency priority order

Example Entry:

1. Spouse: Jane Doe
   └ Tel: 555-XXX-XXXX
   └ Email: jane@example.com
   └ Address: Same residence

2. Son: John Doe Jr.
   └ Tel: 555-YYY-YYYY
   └ Address: New York, NY

3. Parents
   └ Tel: 555-ZZZ-ZZZZ
   └ Father: Robert Doe (80 years old)
   └ Mother: Mary Doe (78 years old)

✅ Friends & Acquaintances

Information to Record:

□ Name
□ Relationship
□ Contact information
□ Reason to contact

✅ Work Contacts

Information to Record:

□ Company name & department
□ Supervisor contact
□ HR department contact
□ Major clients
□ Ongoing projects

Category 7: Funeral & Memorial Preferences [MEDIUM PRIORITY]

✅ Funeral Preferences

Information to Record:

□ Funeral size (private/standard service)
□ Religion/denomination
□ Place of worship information
□ Preferred funeral home
□ Budget
□ Guest list
□ Photo for memorial service location

Example Entry:

□ Funeral size: Private service (30 people)
□ Religion: Christian (Methodist)
□ Church: First Methodist Church (Tel: 555-XXX-XXXX)
□ Funeral home: No preference (family to decide)
□ Budget: $10,000-$15,000
□ Memorial photo: Select from "Memorial Photos" folder on phone

✅ Burial/Cremation

Information to Record:

□ Cemetery plot (if owned)
□ Cemetery location
□ Cemetery name & plot number
□ Headstone information
□ Maintenance fee payment method

Category 8: Other Important Information

✅ Pets

Information to Record:

□ Pet type & name
□ Age
□ Veterinarian clinic
□ Medical conditions/medications
□ Potential caretakers
□ Pet insurance information

✅ Hobbies & Collections

Information to Record:

□ Valuable collections
□ Storage location
□ Approximate value
□ Disposal preferences

How to Use This Checklist

Step 1: Print or Copy

Method A: Paper Management
・Print this checklist
・Fill in by hand
・Store securely in safe

Method B: Digital Management
・Copy to Excel or Google Sheets
・Fill in on computer
・Store in password manager or encrypted file

Method C: Dead Man's Switch Management
・Paste checklist into message body
・Fill in information
・Set up automatic delivery

Step 2: Fill In What You Can

Priority Order:
1. Emergency contacts (immediately)
2. Financial institution information (this week)
3. Insurance policies (this month)
4. Digital accounts (within 2 months)
5. Everything else (gradually)

Step 3: Update Regularly

Update Schedule:
・Annually: Complete review
・As changes occur: Update immediately
・On birthdays: Make it a habit to check

Step 4: Share with Family

Sharing Methods:
・Tell them storage location
・Register with Dead Man's Switch
・Review together annually

Conclusion: Perfection Isn't Required

This checklist is comprehensive, but you don't need to complete everything perfectly.

What You Can Do Today:

1. Write down 3 emergency contacts
2. Record your primary bank account information
3. Note one insurance policy

What You Can Do This Week: 4. List all bank accounts 5. Organize credit card information 6. Check subscription services

What You Can Do This Month: 7. Organize digital accounts 8. Fill in medical information 9. Write funeral preferences

Start small and work gradually through what you can accomplish.

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Related Articles:

• What is Digital End-of-Life Planning? A Beginner's Guide
• How to Organize Your Digital Legacy
• Tips for Creating Emergency Messages