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Brits Avoid Discussing Death, Costing Families Billions
15 Nov
Summary
- 34% of Brits have not discussed final wishes with family
- £80 billion in wealth unclaimed due to lack of will/document discussions
- Grief and loss made harder by lack of planning
According to a report published on 2025-11-15T20:22:10+00:00, billions of pounds are going unclaimed in the UK due to Britons' reluctance to discuss death and final wishes with their families. The research found that around a third (34%) of people have not had any conversations about their funeral plans, important documents, or other end-of-life arrangements with their loved ones.
Additionally, 43% of respondents said they avoid the topic because it is too upsetting, while 25% consider it "too morbid" to discuss. Nearly one-fifth (19%) admitted they do not know how to start such a conversation. This lack of open dialogue has resulted in an estimated £80 billion in unclaimed wealth, as bereaved families struggle to locate wills, investments, and insurance policies after a loved one's passing.
Experts are urging Britons to be more proactive in recording their wishes and storing important records in a secure digital vault, such as the Legacy Hub service. They believe the British "stiff-upper-lip" mentality is hindering necessary discussions, leaving families to deal with the emotional and financial fallout during an already difficult time. Sharing one's final wishes, they say, can make the grieving process a bit easier for those left behind.
