If I Got Hit by a Bus Tomorrow: 10 Things I’d Want My Family to Know
What if today was your last normal day?
It’s a bit dramatic, sure. But you’ve probably heard the phrase: “What if I got hit by a bus tomorrow?” It’s the kind of throwaway comment we make to point out how fragile life really is - and how much we’ve left unsaid.
And we really do know how unpredictable every day is. You just need to take one look at the headlines to see crazy stuff happens daily.
So, if you vanished in an instant - no warning, no time to explain - would your loved ones know where to begin?
Would they know your passwords? Your wishes? Who to call? What to cancel?
In this article, we’ll look at the 10 essential things your family should know if life suddenly takes a sharp, unexpected turn.
1. Who to Call First (And Who Not To)
After the shock, confusion hits. Who needs to know? Who helps with what?
Create a short priority contact list:
- Your emergency contact
- Your solicitor or executor
- Your workplace or business partner (if relevant)
- Key family members
- Anyone looking after dependents, pets, or vulnerable relatives
Be clear about who not to call immediately too - there’s always one who’ll panic-post on social media before you’ve finished calling nan. We don't need that person getting all busy.
“When in doubt, a short list is better than a long mess.”
2. Where the Important Documents Are
No one should be tearing apart your house looking for your will or trying to figure out what bank you used.
This is no time for dot-to-dot or guess the password.
Keep a clearly labelled Life Admin Folder (physical and / or digital), and make sure at least one trusted person knows where it is.
What to include:
- Will
- Birth/marriage certificates
- Property info
- Insurance policies
- Pension and banking details
- National Insurance number
- Mortgage or tenancy paperwork
Even a one-pager with logins, account names, and “where to find this stuff” notes is better than nothing. Not that you'll need that once you've been on one of my workshops!
3. What I’d Want for My Funeral
A big one.
You don’t need to have everything planned to the last flower arrangement, but give your family a starting point:
- Burial or cremation?
- Any songs or readings you’d love (or hate)?
- Religious, spiritual, or secular?
- Any do’s and don’ts (e.g. “no black ties, and definitely no buffet sausage rolls”)?
This isn’t just about your preferences - it takes a huge emotional load off your family during one of the most painful moments of their lives.
Squabbles over Diana Ross or Dolly Parton for your exit music is something best avoided during times of grief.
4. Where My Money Is (and What It’s Doing)
People assume loved ones can just access their accounts. Not true.
Create a simple financial map:
- Which banks, what kind of accounts
- Standing orders and direct debits
- Investments or pensions
- Who’s named on what (joint accounts? credit cards?)
- Business or side-hustle income streams
- Under the mattress (which one?) and share where the key is to your safe
And remember: tell someone where that info lives - not just “it’s on my laptop somewhere”...
5. My Digital Life and Logins
From Netflix to Gmail, your digital life needs attention too.
Do you want your social media memorialised?
Should any online subscriptions be cancelled?
What about your personal cloud, your photos, your passwords?
You can use a password manager with emergency access (like 1Password or Bitwarden) or store a sealed envelope in your life admin folder.
Either way, don’t leave behind a digital mess of locked-up memories and mystery charges.
6. Debts, Loans, and Other Nitty-Gritty
It’s not glamorous, but your family will need to know:
- What you owe and to whom. One day they will come knocking.
- Any loan agreements or finance plans.
- Who’s the main contact for each debt.
Don’t assume they’ll figure it out just by opening your mail.
Make a basic list and stick it in your folder. D for Done.
7. People and Things I Care About (That You Might Forget)
This might be a cat.
Or a best mate in Australia you speak to monthly.
Or a neighbour you always help out with the bins.
Or your flatmate's teenage son you’ve quietly mentored.
Make a list of the “extras” in your life - not the legal ones, but the ones who might need a check-in, a thank-you, or a heads-up.
“Legacy isn’t just money - it’s kindness left behind.”
8. My Online Business or Side Gig
If you run a small business, blog, Etsy shop, or even have affiliate income - someone needs to know how it runs (or how to shut it down).
Keep a file with:
- Income streams
- Login info
- Bank or payment details
- Anything that renews automatically
This is especially important if you’ve got customers, followers, or clients waiting on something.
9. Personal Messages or Notes I’d Want Left Behind
You don’t have to write a full “If you’re reading this, I’m gone” letter.
But a few lines saved for someone special - a child, partner, sibling - can mean everything.
Leave a note, a voice recording, a card tucked into the back of your admin folder.
No one regrets preparing this. Only not doing it.
10. What I’d Want You to Remember (Or Let Go Of)
The hardest part. But also the most healing.
What would you want people to remember most about you?
What would you tell them to let go of - the guilt, the fights, the silly stuff?
It doesn’t have to be deep. It just has to be honest.
“Grief is heavy. Don’t pack more than they can carry.”
Want to make it easier?
I created Your Final Matters to give people a supportive, practical space to get organised - without the doom and gloom. It’s honest, it’s helpful, and yes ... there’s cake.
These workshops are designed for real people (no jargon, no judgement), whether you're sorting things for yourself or helping a parent or loved one.
Join a Your Final Matters workshop and take the stress out of life admin - because getting things in order now is one of the kindest things you can do later.
So a Final Thought: Would They Know What To Do?
It’s not about being dramatic.
It’s about being practical - loving - even a little brave.
So, ask yourself again:
If you got hit by a bus tomorrow … would your family know what to do next?
If the answer is “probably not”, that’s okay. It’s what most people would say.
But now you’ve read this - you can start. Even if it’s just writing one thing down.
Because a little preparation now is a huge act of love later.