At the Academy of Life Planning, we believe that true wealth extends far beyond money—it’s the sum of your financial stability, emotional wellbeing, intellectual growth, and spiritual fulfilment. Yet, one vital area remains chronically under-addressed, even among the most prepared: end-of-life planning.
Greg Barnsdale’s powerful call to action in his bestselling Do Not Ignore Your Mortality and his recent article for Canada Health Watch sheds light on a global blind spot: while we plan birthdays, weddings, and holidays, many of us avoid planning for death. The result? Families thrust into chaotic “hallway huddles” in hospitals, scrambling to make impossible decisions at the worst possible time.
Barnsdale—a rare combination of funeral director, financial planner, and death doula—shares a profound truth: avoiding conversations about death doesn’t delay it, but it does compound suffering for those we leave behind. Less than half of adults in many developed countries have a valid will. And fewer still have communicated their end-of-life wishes to loved ones.
Why Does This Matter for Holistic Life Planners?
End-of-life planning isn’t simply legal housekeeping—it’s a powerful act of love, agency, and legacy stewardship. Done well, it:
✅ Reduces stress and conflict for survivors
✅ Minimizes estate costs and legal hurdles
✅ Enhances relationships through transparency and fairness
✅ Preserves dignity and autonomy
✅ Allows wealth (in all its forms) to flow intentionally to the next generation
Barnsdale advocates reframing “estate planning” as “legacy planning”—a shift that aligns beautifully with the Academy’s GAME Plan and holistic wealth approach. This is about leaving more than money. It’s about leaving clarity, values, and harmony.
As he reminds us, dying without a will or clear instructions doesn’t simply hand control to the courts—it risks setting loved ones at odds, prolonging grief, and tarnishing your life’s work.
Insights for Our Community
Let’s take Barnsdale’s message further: end-of-life planning is an extension of life planning. It’s not a legal footnote; it’s a natural conclusion to the life story you’ve authored with intention. By integrating these conversations into holistic planning, we give clients and ourselves:
- Permission to talk about difficult things—not as morbid topics, but as acts of empowerment
- A structured approach that normalizes these decisions alongside financial and life goals
- A pathway for multi-generational impact, avoiding what CPA Canada calls a “trickle-down wealth crisis” where heirs are unprepared for inheritances
As holistic wealth planners, we must be bold in asking the deeper questions—not just “What do you want to leave behind?” but “What does a meaningful legacy look like to you?” and “How can we ensure your final wishes align with your values, not just your assets?”
Practical Action Steps for Subscribers
👉 Take the Living Legacy Quiz (Greg offers this free at DoNotIgnoreYourMortality.com/quiz) to assess gaps in your planning.
👉 Review your will and powers of attorney at least every five years, or sooner after major life changes.
👉 Communicate your wishes clearly with loved ones. Don’t wait for a crisis.
👉 Write down login credentials and important contacts in a secure, accessible place.
👉 Host your own “legacy meeting”—gather your family to explain your intentions while you’re alive, reducing future misunderstandings.
The AoLP Perspective: A Holistic Legacy
At the Academy, we challenge the narrative that wealth is measured solely in numbers. Planning for death is planning for the continuation of your life’s purpose, the transmission of your wisdom, and the protection of those you love.
As Barnsdale wisely notes:
“End-of-life planning is one of the greatest gifts of love.”
Let’s honour that love—not only for ourselves but as part of the service we offer to others. By embracing our mortality, we enhance our humanity.
It’s time to move from fear to foresight, from silence to conversation, from avoidance to action.
🌟 Join Our Community
We’re thrilled to announce an exclusive opportunity to meet Greg Barnsdale in an intimate Q&A session—date to be confirmed. This is your chance to engage directly with a thought leader transforming how we approach legacy and end-of-life planning.
👉 Join our community today to secure your place at this inspiring event. Together, let’s rewrite the narrative around mortality—and turn it into a legacy of empowerment.
💬 It’s Time for The Talk… But Not the One You Think! 🗣️💰
Parents, are you ready to have an open, honest conversation with your adult children about money, inheritance, and legacy? 💼👨👩👧👦
A trillion-dollar wealth transfer is underway in Canada, and with it comes both opportunity and risk. Estate planning today is about far more than just writing a will — it’s about protecting your family’s future, avoiding unnecessary legal hurdles, and ensuring your wishes are clearly understood. ✅📜
Yet for many families, these conversations are still taboo, awkward, or avoided altogether—until it’s too late.
A powerful new video, created in partnership with leaders in the Death Positive and financial planning movements, dives deep into why this conversation can’t wait:
➡️ Why your will might need an urgent update ✍️
➡️ Conversation starters to melt the taboo ❄️🗣️
➡️ How planning ahead reduces stress and emotional burden 🧘♂️
➡️ How to avoid costly mistakes, legal challenges, and family conflict ⚠️
💡 Your legacy can be a love letter — or a legal mess. The choice is yours.
👉 Watch now and start the conversation that truly matters.
By taking action today, you’re giving your family the greatest gift of all: peace of mind, clarity, and unity. Let your legacy be remembered for love, not litigation.
Your Money or Your Life
Unmask the highway robbers – Enjoy wealth in every area of your life!
By Steve Conley. Available on Amazon. Visit www.steve.conley.co.uk to find out more.
Academy of Life Planning 