A study conducted by a UK provider of pre-paid funeral plans has revealed that 79% of respondents have friends/family that they would trust to carry out their will and act as their Power of Attorney (PoA) to handle their affairs, finances and arrangements after their death.
Research commissioned by Ecclesiastical Planning Services has shown that out of 1,500 people surveyed, 79% have friends and family that they would trust to carry out their will and act as their PoA to handle their affairs, finances and arrangements after their death. 8% disclosed that they do not have friends or family that could operate in this capacity, 11% were unsure and 2% preferred not to say.
The study polled 1,500 British adults, all aged 50 or over. The survey was conducted as part of research into the British public’s views on death, dying and funeral arrangements and focused on later life planning.
UK-based attitudes toward having a will and PoA seem to be changing, but there are still some gaps in awareness with relatively low uptake. Canada Life found that over half of UK adults (51%) have not written a will, nor are they in the process of doing so. The survey was conducted in February 2024, among a representative sample of 2,000 UK adults by Opinium. As with appointing a PoA, delays putting these important legal documents in place, or updating existing versions, can create real problems in the future.
Similar to funeral planning, it’s believed that some adults want to avoid these topics or feel they have plenty of time. There’s also felt to be misunderstanding around what counts as a valid will which can lead to legal disputes and invalid documentation.
The Law Commission is undertaking a review of the law governing wills, with the current legal framework largely based on the Wills Act 1837 which is considered outdated and unsuitable – “imaginative judicial interpretation is often needed to apply it to modern circumstances”. (The Law Society website, May 2025).
Whilst the research shows that many people have friends or family that they would trust to act in this capacity, there are also some over 50s (8%) who don’t have this option, which can be a cause for concern. One possible solution is to appoint a ‘professional attorney’ such as a solicitor or financial adviser, who would expect to be paid a fee for carrying out these services. Costs can vary and detailed information regarding the fees and service provision, including any exclusions, should be researched before selecting this option.
Emma Simpson, Marketing Manager at Ecclesiastical Planning Services which commissioned the research, said: “Like funeral pre-planning, we encourage everyone to have their affairs in place in advance for peace of mind and to reduce worry later down the line. With the right support and guidance, will writing and funeral planning can actually be satisfying and productive experiences.”