Planning Ahead in Scotland
How to plan ahead when a loved one is approaching end of life in Scotland — Wills, Power of Attorney, organ donation, advance decisions, palliative care, and funeral planning.
- Have the conversation — gently and together. Ask what matters to them: where they would like to be cared for, what kind of service they would want, and any final wishes. Write these down together.
- Help them put legal affairs in order. Ensure there is an up-to-date Will and consider setting up a Power of Attorney (under the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000) for welfare and finances while they still have capacity. A solicitor can help with both.
- Gather and organise important documents together: birth certificate, marriage certificate, passport, pension details, insurance policies, bank accounts, property deeds, and utility bills. Keep copies in one safe place.
- Discuss organ and tissue donation wishes. In Scotland, the law is opt-out (deemed authorisation) — unless they expressed a wish to opt out. Check if they are on the NHS Organ Donor Register and record their decision clearly.
- Record their Advance Directive if they wish. In Scotland, an Advance Directive is not legally binding but is given significant weight by medical professionals. A welfare Power of Attorney is the strongest legal tool. A DNACPR form can also be discussed with their GP.
- Consider a funeral plan or pre-paid arrangement. They may want to choose between burial and cremation, pick readings or music, or meet funeral directors now. Pre-paid plans can lock in costs.
- Identify who will take the lead when the time comes. Discuss who will be the executor nominate in the Will, who will register the death (within 8 days in Scotland), and who will handle practical matters.
- Connect with palliative care and support services. Ask their GP about community palliative care, hospice referrals, Marie Curie nurses, and NHS Continuing Healthcare funding.
- Consider what legacy and memories they would like to leave — letters to loved ones, voice recordings, photo albums, recipes, or a memory box.
- Check eligibility for Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, or NHS Continuing Healthcare. In Scotland, personal care is free for over-65s. Macmillan Cancer Support also offers financial guidance.