Advance Care Planning in the UK

Planning for the future, especially when it comes to healthcare and end-of-life decisions, is not a task many of us look forward to. If you’re reading this, you may be facing difficult questions about your own care or that of someone you love. It’s a courageous step to seek information during such an emotional time, and it’s a reminder of how much you care about ensuring that wishes are respected and loved ones are supported. 

At Aura, we understand that these decisions are not just about logistics—they’re about honouring a life, values, and the connections that mean the most. In this article, we will explore the topic of advance care planning in the UK, providing compassionate guidance on how to document your wishes, involve loved ones and healthcare professionals, and navigate the legal and practical aspects of planning for the future.

What is advance care planning?

Advance care planning refers broadly to the process of making decisions about your future healthcare and documenting your wishes in case you become unable to express them later. It allows you to outline your preferences for medical treatment, care settings, end-of-life care and beyond, ensuring that your values and beliefs guide important decisions.

This planning often involves talking about death and dying with family members, healthcare professionals, and legal representatives, which can feel uncomfortable at first to some, but can prove extremely valuable. You might begin this process of planning initially by journaling your thoughts and feelings on the matter, or creating a list of points that are important to you regarding the end-of-life.

Creating an advance care plan

An advance care plan, also called, ‘advance statement’, ‘future care plan’, or ‘anticipatory care plan’ depending on the region, is a proactive process that allows you to document decisions about your future medical care and treatment preferences. This plan allows your values and preferences to be known and respected if you become unable to express your wishes due to illness or incapacity.

It can include personal choices about treatments to accept or refuse, preferred places of care, and who should make decisions on your behalf. 

 

Is an advance care plan legally binding?

An advance care plan itself is not legally binding in the UK. It serves as a record of your wishes and preferences for future care, guiding healthcare professionals and loved ones in decision-making. However, certain elements within an advance care plan can be legally binding, such as:

Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT)

Also known as a “Living Will,” this is legally binding under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 if it meets the required criteria. It allows you to refuse specific medical treatments in advance, even if this leads to death.

Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)

There are two types of LPA in the UK: 

• Health and welfare LPA : Focuses on medical and care decisions.
• Property and financial affairs LPA: Covers financial and property matters.

A health and welfare LPA legally authorises a chosen person to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if you lose mental capacity. An LPA complements advance care planning by giving a trusted person the legal authority to make decisions on behalf of the person creating the plan. 

 

Other elements of an advance care plan

Medical treatment preferences

• Treatments you wish to receive (e.g., pain management, palliative care).
• Treatments you wish to refuse (e.g., life-support, resuscitation).
• Preferences for end-of-life care, such as whether you prefer hospital, hospice, or home care.

Preferred place of care

• Whether you want to be cared for at home, in a hospice, or in a hospital.

Emergency care instructions

• Whether you wish to receive CPR or be placed on a Do Not Attempt Resuscitation (DNAR) order.
• Registration with emergency services, such as the ReSPECT form.

Personal and emotional considerations

• Religious, spiritual, or cultural beliefs that should be respected in your care.
• Specific people you want to be involved in decisions about your care.
• Preferences for emotional or psychological support.

Funeral wishes

• Whether you prefer direct cremation, cremation with a service, or burial
• Any specific funeral arrangements (e.g., music, readings, location).
• Whether you have a pre-paid funeral plan.

 Organ and tissue donation

• Whether you wish to be an organ donor and which organs you would like to donate.

 

 

Planning ahead: advance care and prepaid funeral

Thinking ahead about your medical care and end-of-life preferences naturally leads to considering how you want to be remembered. Just as advance care planning ensures that your healthcare choices are honoured, a prepaid funeral plan allows your funeral service to reflect your wishes while also relieving your loved ones of financial and emotional pressures at a difficult time.

Many people include funeral preferences in their advance care decisions after carefully comparing funeral plans, outlining whether they prefer a direct cremation, a traditional service, or a more personal celebration of life. However, without a financial plan in place, families may still face unexpected costs and difficult decisions. This is where a funeral plan provides peace of mind, allowing you to lock in today’s prices and be sure everything is arranged according to your wishes.

 

Aura champions planning in advance

Aura was established on the belief that planning for death should be as unintimidating and  natural as planning for life. This vision comes directly from our founder Paul Jameson, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2017. Faced with a terminal illness, Paul saw firsthand how vital it is to make decisions early—not just for himself, but for his loved ones. 

Paul’s experience helped shape Aura’s mission to help others approach end-of-life planning with clarity and confidence. He understood that making choices in advance, whether about medical care, funeral arrangements, or financial planning, allows people to focus on what truly matters: spending time with loved ones and celebrating life.

Aura is more than just a funeral provider—it’s a family-run organisation built on personal experience and compassion

 

Principles of advance care planning

Respect for individual preferences

The foundation of advance care planning lies in respecting the personal values, beliefs and wishes of the individual person. It prioritises autonomy, enabling people to have control over decisions regarding their healthcare and beyond.

Effective planning involves open conversations with loved ones, helping everyone involved understand priorities and preferences. This can include cultural, religious, or personal values that shape their care and after death and funeral preferences.

Collaboration with healthcare professionals

Advance care planning often requires the involvement of healthcare providers, such as doctors, nurses and care coordinators. These professionals play a critical role in advising on treatment options, documenting preferences and ensuring these plans are respected in clinical settings.

Collaboration means that any decisions made are medically appropriate and feasible while respecting the person’s values. Healthcare teams also provide guidance on legal and ethical implications, ensuring plans comply with UK regulations.

Flexibility and review

Advance care plans are not static. Instead, they need to evolve over time to reflect changing circumstances, such as shifts in health conditions or personal priorities. Regularly reviewing and updating your plan ensures it remains relevant and effective.

You are encouraged to revisit the plans during major life events, such as changes in health, family dynamics or healthcare advancements. Keeping it flexible means that the plan continues to meet your needs over time and changing circumstances.

Best practices for clarity and accessibility

When you update an advance care plan, you may wish to destroy older copies to prevent any confusion about which version is the most current. However, before doing so, make sure that the updated version has been shared with all relevant parties, including your GP, family members and any healthcare professionals involved in your care.  For storage, keep a copy in a safe but accessible place, such as with important documents at home. You may also wish to provide copies to:

• Your GP or medical team – They can add it to your medical records.
• A trusted family member or appointed decision-maker – So they can advocate for your wishes.
• Your solicitor (if applicable) – Especially if your plan includes legal directives.

Some people also choose to carry a small card in their wallet indicating they have an advance care plan and where it can be found. 

Emotional and psychological aspects of advance care planning

Planning for your future care isn’t solely about making medical decisions, it can also be an emotional process. Many people feel anxiety, sadness, or even relief when documenting their wishes. Open conversations with loved ones can ease this sometimes heavy feeling and help create a shared understanding of end-of-life preferences. Seeking support from counsellors, death doulas, palliative care teams, or bereavement services can also provide reassurance throughout the planning process.

If you’re feeling uncomfortable talking about end-of-life matters with those you are close with, try easing into it with social support through death cafes, death or illness-related meetups or grief groups, or even online forums. 

 

Steps to prepare an effective plan

Creating an advance care plan is a personal process that requires careful thought and open communication. Below is a more detailed breakdown of each step to help ensure your plan reflects your values and remains practical for those who will support your wishes.

1. Reflect on personal values and goals

Before writing anything down, take time to think about what matters most to you in terms of:

• Quality of life – What does a good quality of life mean to you? Are there treatments you would or wouldn’t want based on their impact on your independence, dignity, or comfort?
• Medical care – Would you want all possible treatments to prolong life, or would you prefer comfort-focused care if recovery is unlikely?
• Care settings – Where would you feel most comfortable receiving care (home, hospital, care home, hospice)?
• End-of-life preferences – Are there specific rituals, religious practices, or emotional needs you’d like considered?
• After-death decisions – Do you have preferences for funeral arrangements or organ donation?

Writing these reflections down, even informally, can help clarify your priorities before structuring your formal plan.

2. Discuss with loved ones and professionals

Open and honest conversations with family, close friends, and healthcare providers are essential to making sure your wishes are understood and respected. Consider:

• Talking with family first – Let them know your thoughts and ensure they feel comfortable supporting your choices. This can help prevent potential confusion or difficult conversations later.
• Involving a healthcare professional – Your GP or specialist can provide medical insight into your options, explain the implications of specific treatments, and help document your preferences.
• Appointing a trusted decision-maker – If you choose to set up a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) for Health and Welfare, this person will be legally authorised to make healthcare decisions on your behalf if needed.
• Checking legal aspects – If you wish to refuse life-sustaining treatments, you may need an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT), which is legally binding.

These discussions don’t have to happen all at once, but having them early can reduce stress and uncertainty later on in the process.

3. Use NHS resources and official templates

To ensure your advance care plan is clear and comprehensive, consider using official templates and guidance available through the NHS and local healthcare services. These can help structure your plan so that it covers all necessary aspects in a legally and medically relevant way. Useful resources include:

• The NHS website – Provides guidance on advance care planning, including considerations for end-of-life care.
• Your GP or local healthcare provider – Many offer printed or digital forms specifically designed for advance care planning.
• ReSPECT (Recommended Summary Plan for Emergency Care and Treatment) form – A widely recognised document in the UK for recording emergency care preferences.
• Hospice and palliative care organisations – Many charities and local hospices provide support and planning tools tailored to your needs.

By taking these steps, your advance care plan will be well thought out, properly documented, and easy to follow for those who will carry out your wishes.

 

Considering ‘capacity’

Advance care planning in the UK operates within the framework of the Mental Capacity Act 2005. This legislation outlines the rights of individuals to make decisions about their care and provides guidelines for healthcare professionals.

Key points include:

• Consent and capacity: Ensuring people are mentally capable of making informed decisions at the time of planning. For those affected by dementia, early planning provides reassurance that their care will align with their values and preferences, even if they are unable to advocate for themselves in the future.
• Conflict resolution: Addressing disagreements about care preferences through mediation or legal intervention, if necessary.
• Best interests principle – When someone can no longer make decisions, healthcare professionals and family members must act in their best interests, considering previously expressed wishes, values and beliefs.

 

Planning for emergencies in advance care planning

Preparing for unexpected situations

Advance care planning should account for urgent medical situations, such as accidents or sudden illness. Clear instructions for emergency interventions can help ensure appropriate care during critical moments.

Coordination with local emergency services

Registering advance care plans with local health systems such as your GP or emergency databases such as the NHS Summary Care Record or Electronic Palliative Care Coordinating Systems (EPaCCS) enables first responders to have access to important information. 

 

Common questions about advance care planning

Who should consider advance care planning?

Advance care planning is particularly beneficial for individuals with chronic conditions, terminal illnesses, or those approaching end-of-life care. However, it is also valuable for anyone who wishes to take a proactive role in their healthcare decisions.

What happens if no plan exists?

In the absence of an advance care plan, decisions about care are typically made by healthcare professionals in consultation with family members. This can sometimes lead to uncertainty and emotional stress, which advance care planning seeks to prevent.

 

Aura for your planning needs

We hope that you have found this article about advance care planning in the UK helpful. Thinking back on Paul’s mission, Aura’s goal has always been to offer a quality of service that is never less than what Paul would expect for his own family.

Aura provides funerals for families facing an immediate loss, offering direct cremation services for those who have recently experienced a bereavement, and our prepaid plans to those thinking ahead about their own funeral with our prepaid funeral plans. 

Our wonderful, industry-leading, compassionate Aura Angel team is at the heart of our company. Our 4.9/5 stars on Trustpilot reflects the level of service we proudly provide our customers who place their trust in us. 

If you’re considering a funeral plan with Aura, you can download our free brochure today. Take your time to explore your options, and if you have any questions, we’re always here to help.