Willful
Updated: March 12th, 2026
How To Talk About Wills: Guide To Discussing End-Of-Life Wishes With Family
You may have put off conversations about end-of-life planning because it’s a sensitive topic, and not everyone is open to discussing things like their will, burial wishes, or funeral planning.
It’s so important to have these conversations with family, but… Canadians aren’t talking about end-of-life.
Willful research conducted by Angus Reid shows that two-thirds (66%) of Canadians don’t know the end of life wishes of their spouse, and 57% don’t know the end of life wishes for any of their loved ones. This can lead to problems after family members pass, including arguing over assets and disagreements about burial and funeral wishes. In fact 42% of Canadians have witnessed problems, disputes, or disagreements in their family after the passing of a loved one, and 1 in 10 Canadians have been directly involved in a dispute after a loved one passed.
The best way to avoid unanswered questions and disputes is to ensure you make your end-of-life wishes known… But how do you bring it up, and what questions should you be asking? And more importantly, how can you broach the subject in a way that fosters positive discussion instead of arguments?
