Being prepared for your death is more than simply having a will in place which details how your finances and property will be split up. One of the most valuable gifts you can offer to those you love is to embrace your mortality and be specific about the care you do or do not want to receive, and how you would prefer to die. By planning ahead, you'll unburden your family from making tough decisions when the time comes someday, ensuring their dignity and yours.

People often think that it's too early to be talking about death, but there's no such thing. We never know what life has in store. Accidents happen. Illness and surgeries increase our risk of needing an advance care plan – COVID-19 has brought that to the fore. We believe that it's better to have a conversation around the dining table rather than in the ICU. The optimal time to have these conversations, and document how you would prefer to die is now, whatever your age and health status.

Your chosen “healthcare proxy” will have the legal power (sometimes called "power of attorney for healthcare") to make decisions about your medical treatment (including withholding treatment), in accordance with any limitations or guidance you include in your advance care (ACP). The Swansong Advance Care Plan includes the same content as a living will, but in more detail, as well as your nomination of a healthcare proxy and other important elements. The Swansong Advance Care Plan is a comprehensive document and guide for your family, your healthcare proxy and for the professionals who will be caring for you at the end of your life.

In everyday so called “common law” practice, an advance care plan is legally sound – it must be signed, dated and witnessed. But it doesn't need to be done by a lawyer. It's considered a living document and can be changed at any time.

Your advance care plan and a recording of your actual Swansong session will be sent to you, so that you can share them with your medical team, your family and your loved ones. You will also be able to make changes or updates to the document at any time in the future.

We only offer our service via video chat. Research has shown this is an effective communication platform for clarifying end-of-life care preferences, with many participants preferring a virtual rather than a face to face discussion.

Not right now, but this is definitely something we would like to look at for the future.

Yes, you can gift a session to anyone, as long as they have a device and internet connection that can handle the Zoom conversation. Gifting a Swansong advance care plan session is a great way of showing that you care about that person's future, dignity and peace of mind. Click here to complete the form, write a personalised message to the recipient and pay. The recipient will then receive your email with your message, and a link to a page where they can choose their counsellor and book a time that suits them.