Most Australians believe they should plan for death — but don’t.
The data tells a clear story
- Nearly 90% believe end-of-life planning is important
- Only one-third have taken action
- 82% don’t believe their family understands their wishes
- Only 15% of funerals are pre-planned
What people actually want
- to die at home
- to be pain-free
- to be surrounded by loved ones
Yet:
- only around 14% of deaths occur at home
Why this gap exists
It’s not apathy — it’s system failure.
People face:
- fragmented systems (legal, health, financial)
- too many decisions at once
- lack of guidance
- emotional avoidance
The consequences
When there is no plan:
- families are left guessing
- decisions are made under pressure
- grief is compounded by administration
Research shows poor end-of-life experiences can:
- increase stress and anxiety
- contribute to complicated grief
- impact long-term mental health
What actually works
Structured guidance leads to:
- better decision-making
- reduced stress
- improved outcomes for families
This is why Critical Info uses:
- step-by-step prompts
- guided planning
- small, manageable actions
The shift we need
We don’t need more awareness.
We need:
- better systems
- clearer pathways
- accessible tools
The future
End-of-life planning will become:
- normal
- expected
- embedded in everyday life
And the organisations that enable this shift will define the category.
