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Agni Folio Docs

Death Readiness Checklist

The Death Readiness Checklist at agnifolio.com/tools/death-readiness is a free, no-login-required tool that walks you through the practical preparation work most people put off — until it’s too late for the people you love.

It’s the operational counterpart to Wealth Legacy Planning: Legacy Planning automates DISCLOSURE; the Death Readiness Checklist guides you through PREPARATION.

Why this exists

Section titled “Why this exists”

Indian heirs spend 6–24 months on average hunting down their parents’ financial records. UK heirs collectively lose £77+ billion to unclaimed assets. US estates leave $60+ billion in dormant accounts. Almost all of it is avoidable with 4–6 hours of preparation while the person is alive and well.

The checklist is the 4–6 hours. Broken into categories with concrete actions, not vague advice like “make a will.”

What it covers

Section titled “What it covers”

The checklist is grouped into themed categories. Approximate structure (the live tool is the source of truth):

📋 Documents & Identity

Section titled “📋 Documents & Identity”
  • Will (signed, witnessed, current jurisdiction)
  • Power of attorney (financial + medical)
  • Original ID copies (passport, driver’s license, PAN, Aadhaar, etc.)
  • Birth and marriage certificates
  • Property deeds and titles
  • Insurance policy documents (life, health, vehicle)

🏦 Financial Accounts

Section titled “🏦 Financial Accounts”
  • Complete list of all bank accounts (institution, account number, branch)
  • Brokerage accounts (broker, account number, nominee details)
  • Demat accounts (DP ID, client ID)
  • Crypto wallets (recovery phrase storage — see “Access Instructions”)
  • Retirement accounts (NPS, EPF, PPF, 401(k), IRA, etc.)
  • Loan accounts (lender, account number, EMI auto-debit source)
  • Insurance policies (provider, policy number, nominee)

🔐 Access Instructions

Section titled “🔐 Access Instructions”
  • Password manager master credentials (Bitwarden, 1Password, etc.)
  • Crypto seed phrase storage (where the physical paper / hardware wallet lives)
  • Bank locker access (key location, joint signatory)
  • Digital subscriptions to cancel (Netflix, Spotify, hosting, etc.)
  • Email account recovery process
  • Two-factor backup codes location

👥 Key Contacts

Section titled “👥 Key Contacts”
  • Lawyer / estate planner
  • Tax advisor / CA
  • Financial advisor (if any)
  • Insurance agent
  • Employer HR contact (for death benefits, gratuity, group insurance)
  • Bank relationship manager

📝 Instructions & Wishes

Section titled “📝 Instructions & Wishes”
  • Funeral preferences (burial vs cremation, location, religious/cultural specifics)
  • Organ donation registration status
  • How to notify employer, professional contacts, friends
  • Whether to maintain social media accounts (memorialise vs delete)
  • Specific bequests not in the will (sentimental items, pet care arrangements)

How to use it

Section titled “How to use it”
  1. Go to Death Readiness Checklist
  2. Click through each category — every item has a checkbox and a “Mark as done” timestamp
  3. Many items have a “Where is it stored?” field — write a one-line note (e.g., “Bank locker 412 at HDFC Indiranagar”)
  4. Progress is tracked — see what percentage of the checklist is complete
  5. Share the completed checklist PDF with your nominees (or just let them know it exists in Agni Folio)

No-login version

Section titled “No-login version”

Unlike the rest of Agni Folio, the Death Readiness Checklist works without an account. You can complete it anonymously, export a PDF, and store it physically (in a fireproof box, with your lawyer, etc.).

This is intentional. The barrier to even THINKING about death readiness is high enough; we won’t add a signup wall on top.

If you do have an Agni Folio account, the checklist saves your progress across sessions and integrates with Wealth Legacy Planning so nominees receive both the checklist and your portfolio records together when the time comes.

Doing it with your Crew

Section titled “Doing it with your Crew”

The hardest part of death readiness is starting. A common pattern: schedule one monthly Crew check-in around “work on the checklist together for an hour.” Spouses do it side by side. Adult children work through their parents’. Friends pair up and hold each other accountable.

It’s grim subject matter. Doing it socially makes it less so.

What’s next

Section titled “What’s next”
  • Wealth Legacy Planning — the automated disclosure system that uses the records you prepare here
  • Crew & Family Sharing — the accountability layer that helps you actually finish the checklist
  • Accounts — ensure every account you list in the checklist is also tracked in Agni Folio