“My Way” or no way? Why Funeral Playlists Are Getting More Attention Than Financial Futures

Imagine this: your client has a Spotify playlist ready for their funeral - but no will, no power of attorney, and no plan for what happens to the wealth they’ve spent a lifetime building.

It sounds like satire. But according to a recent Lloyds banking group research, it’s reality. More people are planning their funeral music than their financial affairs for when they pass away. And that should give every wealth adviser pause. 

Because if we’re helping clients grow their wealth, shouldn’t we also be helping them protect it - and pass it on with purpose? 

The Will: A wealth transfer blueprint 

A will is more than a legal formality - it’s a strategic tool for ensuring your client’s wealth is distributed according to their wishes. Without one, even the most carefully built portfolio can be subject to delays, disputes, and unintended outcomes. 

A final act of care. And yet, many clients - even those with complex portfolios - haven’t written one. Why? Because it’s uncomfortable. Because it feels far away. Because it’s easier to choose a song than confront mortality. 

But here’s the thing: without a will, everything is left to chance. And chance rarely honours legacy. 

As advisers, we’re not here to push paperwork. We’re here to help clients tell their story - clearly, confidently, and in a way that endures. A will is the punctuation mark at the end of that story. It deserves more than a footnote. 

Power of Attorney: Safeguarding decision making 

We often talk about protecting wealth from market volatility. But what about protecting it from life’s volatility? 

A lasting power of attorney (LPA) is one of the most overlooked tools in a client’s financial toolkit. It’s not about giving up control - it’s about choosing who holds the reins if they can’t. 

Think of it as an insurance policy for decision-making. Whether it’s managing investments, paying bills, or safeguarding property, an LPA ensures someone trusted is in place to act - swiftly and legally. 

And yet, many clients assume their spouse or children can “just step in.” They can’t. Not without court intervention. Not without delay. Not without stress. 

Raising the topic of LPAs isn’t easy. But it’s essential. Because the best time to plan for incapacity is before it happens. 

Trusts: The unsung heroes of wealth protection 

Trusts can ensure life insurance payouts bypass probate, reduce inheritance tax exposure, and deliver funds directly to beneficiaries. For high-net-worth clients, they are a vital tool for control, efficiency, and peace of mind. 

Placing policies in trust is simple. It’s effective. And it’s often forgotten. 

This isn’t about selling a product. It’s about delivering on a promise: that the wealth clients create will reach the people they care about, when they need it most. 

From Transactional to Transformational advice 

The insight from Lloyds Bank - that people are more likely to plan their funeral music than their finances - isn’t just a quirky headline. It’s a mirror. 

It reflects a culture that avoids difficult conversations. And it challenges us, as advisers, to lean into them. 

Because our role isn’t just to grow portfolios. It’s to help clients live - and leave - with intention. 

That means asking the awkward questions. Surfacing the silent worries. And guiding clients through the parts of planning that don’t show up on a balance sheet. 

A Different Kind of Legacy 

What if we reframed estate planning not as a legal necessity, but as an act of love? 

What if we helped clients see wills, LPAs, and trusts not as chores - but as choices that protect their voice, their values, and their vision? 

And what if we, as advisers, became known not just for our financial acumen - but for our courage to have the conversations that matter most? Not to sell. Not to scare. But to serve. 

Because in the end, it’s not just about what clients leave behind. It’s about how they’re remembered. 

And that’s a legacy worth building. 
 

Source:

Lloyds Banking Group research, 2025 

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2125 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 31st March - 1st April 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).