PRE PLANNING
a guided process for the farewell itself, the decisions that surround it, and the people you love.
If you are here, you are thinking ahead. That is one of the most considered things a person can do for the people they love.
Pre planning with Gone. is not about locking in every detail, or making decisions before you are ready. It is about documenting what matters, clarifying what doesn't, and creating a framework that can be interpreted thoughtfully when the moment arrives.
Gone. guides the process through one or several conversations, paced entirely according to your circumstances and capacity. Some people move through the work quickly, while others prefer a more gradual approach. There is no right way, and no pressure to move at any pace other than your own.
Everything gathered through these conversations is organised into the Pre Planning Index - a clear, structured document that ensures the right people have the right information when they need it most.
Part practical guide. Part portrait of a life.
THREE PATHWAYS
Pre planning with Gone. can focus on the farewell itself, the practical preparations that sit around death, or both. We guide you through whichever pathway feels right, and at a pace that suits you.
1. Farewell Planning - from $2,000
For those who want to shape the experience of their own farewell in advance. This may include the tone and structure of the ceremony, location ideas, music, speakers, cultural or spiritual elements, and the personal details that would make it feel true to who you are. Some people also choose to record reflections or messages that may form part of a future tribute.
2. Practical Preparation - from $3,000
For those who want clarity around documents, decisions and instructions - so that the people around them are not left to piece things together at the worst possible moment. This work includes identifying key decision makers, confirming the location of important documents, outlining medical preferences, noting digital accounts, and organising the information others would need to act clearly and confidently.
3. Complete Pre Planning - from $4,500
For those who want to address both the farewell and the practical preparations together. This pathway combines ceremony planning with the organisation of documents and instructions - so that the farewell itself and the decisions surrounding it are considered, aligned and clearly documented in one place.
Many people describe
the process as a relief - not because it removes uncertainty, but because it creates clarity, and they know that the people they love will not be left to figure things out alone.
THE PRE PLANNING INDEX
All pre planning work with Gone. results in the creation of a Pre Planning Index.
It is not a legal document, but instead acts as a clear and considered guide that sits alongside formal legal or medical instructions, written in plain language so that it remains useful regardless of when or how it is needed.
The Index belongs entirely to you to share with whoever you choose, and to update whenever circumstances change. A draft is shared with you for review before the final document is issued. It is provided digitally, and can also be supplied as a printed copy if preferred.
Typical sections include key people and decision makers, the location of important legal documents, medical preferences and advance care directives, digital accounts, farewell intentions, and any legacy materials - letters, recordings, or notes - that might help the people around you understand not just the instructions, but the person behind them.
LIVING FAREWELLS
Some people choose not to wait.
A living farewell is a gathering held while you are still here to experience it, and a way of bringing together the people who matter the most, and of being present for that moment yourself.
Gone. designs and produces living farewells with the same care and intention as everything else we do. They can be intimate or expansive, deeply personal or quietly simple, and they can stand alone or sit alongside the pre planning process as a whole.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Is pre planning only for people who are older or unwell?
A: Not at all. Pre planning suits anyone who wants their wishes documented clearly, at any age or stage of life. Many people find genuine peace of mind in having these decisions made and recorded, long before they're needed.
Q: What's the difference between your three pre planning options?
A: Farewell Planning focuses on the most important decisions and wishes. Practical Preparation adds the logistical and administrative detail that makes things easier for the people left behind. Complete Pre Planning brings everything together into one considered, comprehensive document. We can talk through which level suits you.
Q: Is my pre planning legally binding?
A: A Pre Planning Index records your wishes clearly so they can be followed, but it isn't a substitute for a will or other legal documents. We always recommend pairing pre planning with proper legal advice for anything that needs to be legally enforceable.
Q: Can my family access my plan when the time comes?
A: Yes. Your Pre Planning Index can be shared with whoever you choose, whenever you choose, and can be supplied as a printed copy as well as held by us. Many people share it with a partner, child, or executor so it's easy to find when needed.
Q: Can I update my plan later if my wishes change?
A: Of course. Pre planning isn't fixed in place. We're always happy to revisit and update your plan as your wishes, circumstances, or preferences change over time.
Q: Does pre planning include payment for the farewell itself?
A: No. Pre planning fees cover the planning and documentation process itself. The farewell, when the time comes, is costed and paid for separately, as outlined in your plan.
