The Life and Wishes Service

Before Now started as a kit: something families could use at home with someone they love. But I kept hearing from people who wanted to do it and couldn't quite get there. The distance was too far, the relative too frail, or the conversation just too hard to start alone.

With the Life and Wishes Service, I come to you.

I bring the questions, handle the recording, and make two books: one full of life stories, the other full of wishes and instructions for end of life.

Did you know?

  • 51%

    of recently bereaved people in the UK had no idea what their loved one's funeral wishes were.

    MetLife UK research

  • 44%

    of UK adults have talked to their family about what they want. Which means most people haven't.

    MetLife UK research

What you get

The service produces two printed books.

One looks back at a life, celebrating the stories and wisdom that makes someone who they are.

One looks forward, helping those left behind know what they should do once someone's gone.

  • A Before Now book

    A guided conversation about a life: childhood, work, love, the things that shaped someone, the stories that never quite make it to the dinner table. Their words, in their voice, printed and bound to keep and share with family.

  • A Life and Wishes book

    A quieter book. A record of how someone would like to be remembered: funeral preferences, music, messages for the people they love, the practical things that families are so often left guessing about.

How it works

where we'll be

I come to you

Two relaxed sessions at home, at whatever pace works. No travelling, no unfamiliar offices, no pressure to get through everything at once.

what we'll talk about

Life, then wishes

The first part of the conversation is about stories: memories, milestones, the things that made someone who they are.
From there, we move gently into the wishes conversation: preferences, messages, practical things. By this point in the session, it tends to flow much more easily than people expect.

what happens next

I make both books

I transcribe everything myself, and turn it into two printed, bound books, delivered to your door. The whole process takes a few weeks from the final session.

Get in touch

What I promise

Complete confidentiality throughout

I am a trained social researcher, so I'm bound by a code of ethics. I will never repeat anything that anyone says as part of a Before Now interview, anywhere

No data leaves my computer

I use transcription software that never sends data back to a data centre. If I have to outsource transcription services, it's to a GDPR compliant, UK-based agency who use real humans, not AI.

Two sessions at home, at their pace - no rushing

A short call before anyone commits to anything

So you can ask any questions you have, and see how we get on!

What it costs

  • £2,199

    All inclusive. No extras, no hidden costs.

Two home visits, my travel included

Full life story and wishes interview sessions

Writing, editing and design of both books

Professional print and binding

One printed set of each book, delivered to your door

Book a no-obligation call