Marie Curie launches ‘End of Life List’ to help people navigate the end of life

• New poll reveals one in three people in the UK have not given any thought to their end of life wishes
• Four in 10 do not know where to access information on palliative care support
• New free resource lists everything to consider when preparing for the end of life

The UK's leading end of life charity, Marie Curie, has unveiled its new End of Life List, a practical checklist curated by clinicians that sets out everything people must do to understand and plan for the final chapter of life.

It comes as a new poll reveals how underprepared the majority of people across the UK are for the final chapter of life.

One in three (36 per cent) have not given it any thought, and most do not put a single plan down on paper. One in four (26 per cent) do not plan to give it any thought until the age of 65 at least, and over half (56 per cent) are putting it off until their health significantly deteriorates or they receive a terminal diagnosis. Yet a similar number, 63 per cent, admit this could create a lot of added stress in a time of crisis.

When exploring what is holding people back from planning for end of life, the charity found that 31 per cent of people found it too frightening to think about. Other reasons include not knowing where to start (17 per cent), believing end of life planning is just for people with a terminal illness (13 per cent) and not having enough time to get to it (9 per cent). One in four people (24 per cent) do not want to burden their families with difficult conversations, so avoid the topic altogether.

Marie Curie believes that many people are missing out on vital support — including palliative care and advance care planning (a way for someone to express what's important to them, in case they become unable to communicate their wishes and make decisions in the future) — simply because they don't know where to find information.

Twenty six per cent of people in the UK admit they do not understand what palliative care involves, and 44 per cent mistakenly believe it is for those in the final days or weeks of life. In fact, it is designed to support people and their carers from the point of a terminal diagnosis to improve the quality of life. It prevents and relieves suffering through identifying people early and ensuring that they get the right care for pain and other problems, whether physical, psychosocial, or spiritual.

When it comes to encouraging others to start planning, over a quarter (27 per cent) admitted to viewing death as a taboo subject, which can make it difficult to initiate conversations with family or friends about their preferences for end of life.

The research showed a clear need for the End of Life List, with four in 10 people (38 per cent) not knowing where they would look to find information or support about planning for end of life. One in four people in the UK currently die without the care they need, but if more people set out their care preferences from the start, much of the associated pain could be avoided.

Frances Mulley, Clinical Nurse Manager at Marie Curie, said: "We find that many people don't take on any of the planning until it suddenly becomes an urgent issue – and even then, many factors are typically not taken into consideration. Consulting this End of Life List is the first step to ensuring you have control over what happens to you, leading to a better outcome for all."

The End of Life List is divided into five categories: legal and money matters; people, pets and things important to me; advance care plan; my funeral, wake or celebration of life; and making and leaving behind memories. Advice includes making a Will, deciding what will happen to social media accounts, telling your healthcare team who is important to you, and leaving messages or memories to loved ones. Marie Curie's partners Morrisons and Superdrug will stock the list in their pharmacies from next month so that all customers will have access to it for free.

Emma-May Ward, Clinical Nurse Specialist at Marie Curie, said: "I work daily with people at the end of life and their families. What I've learnt is, although making plans doesn't make confronting it any easier, the fact that those conversations happen and everyone is clear what people's wishes are, removes a lot of pressure at a very difficult time.

"Ensuring your plans and preferences are written down and shared with medical professionals, will highly increase the chance of you or your loved one getting the end of life you wished for. From where you'd like to be cared for, who you'd like visit you, religious traditions you may wish to be followed or simply the music you'd like played in your room."

To download Marie Curie's End of Life List, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/withyou
The list will be available to pick up in Superdrug and Morrisons pharmacies from next month.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For more information, contact media@mariecurie.org.uk

The research was conducted by Opinion Matters, among a sample of 4282 UK Respondents (Weighted Nat Rep 18+). The data was collected between 17.10.2025 - 24.10.2025. Opinion Matters abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Opinion Matters is also a member of the British Polling Council.

Please note, Marie Curie is not a cancer charity but the UK's leading 'end of life charity'. We care for people with any illness they are likely to die from including Alzheimer's (and other forms of dementia), heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson's, and advanced cancer.

About Marie Curie

Marie Curie is the UK's leading end of life charity.

The charity provides expert end of life care for people with any illness they are likely to die from, and support for their family and friends, in our hospices and where they live. It is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK, and campaigns to ensure everyone has a good end of life experience. Whatever the illness, we're with you to the end.

If you're living with a terminal illness or have been affected by dying, death and bereavement, Marie Curie can help. Visit mariecurie.org.uk or call the free Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309.

Whatever the illness, wherever you are, Marie Curie is with you to the end.