She’s worked closely for years with grieving families. Now, Detroit mortician and funeral professional Charli E. Rose, FD, has released a new planning tool aimed at helping individuals and families navigate end-of-life decisions with greater clarity and peace of mind.
The tool is called “My Final Wishes Planner” and serves as a guided journal that helps people document important information, outline personal preferences, and reduce the emotional and logistical burden often placed on loved ones during times of loss.
Rose developed the planner based on her extensive professional experience as a licensed funeral director and as Division Director of the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office. Over the years, she has seen how the absence of clear instructions can complicate an already painful moment for families, leading to confusion, delays, and added stress.
“After more than a decade in this profession, the pattern was undeniable,” says Rose. “Families were grieving and trying to make major decisions in the middle of crisis. I created this planner because no one deserves to leave their loved ones with guesswork. Preparation is one of the greatest gifts we can leave behind.”
The “My Final Wishes Planner” is intended to serve as a comprehensive resource that guides users through a wide range of practical and personal considerations. It includes sections for recording vital documents and key personal information, preferences for funeral, memorial or celebration-of-life services, and guidance related to financial, legal, and estate matters.
The planner also provides space for personal letters, reflections, and legacy notes, allowing individuals to express their values and final messages in their own words. Additional sections are dedicated to listing important contacts, account information, and instructions that survivors may need to manage affairs after a death.
Unlike basic checklists or templates, the planner is designed to be both structured and reflective. Rose emphasizes that the goal is not only organization, but also communication. By encouraging people to think through their wishes in advance and document them clearly, the planner helps families avoid misunderstandings and conflicting accounts during an already emotional time.
The tool is also designed with funeral professionals in mind. Funeral directors are often called upon to guide families who arrive with little information, incomplete paperwork, or differing opinions about what their loved one would have wanted. These situations can delay arrangements and add tension among family members.
“This planner strengthens the relationship between the funeral home and the family,” Rose explains. “When people walk in prepared, directors can focus on honoring the individual—not sorting through paperwork, confusion, or disagreements.”
By providing a clear framework for documenting wishes, the planner allows funeral directors to better support families and ensure services align with the individual’s intentions. It also helps streamline the planning process, making it easier for professionals to deliver compassionate, efficient care.
The release of the “My Final Wishes Planner” comes at a time when conversations around legacy, values, and end-of-life planning are becoming more common nationwide.
Rose sees the planner as part of a broader movement to normalize these discussions and empower people to take an active role in planning for the future. She is particularly focused on reaching communities that may have limited access to estate planning resources or have historically avoided end-of-life conversations.
Rose’s mission centers on education and empowerment, helping individuals understand that planning ahead is not about anticipating death, but about caring for those who will be left behind. Through thoughtful preparation, families can be spared unnecessary stress and given space to focus on remembrance and healing.
The “My Final Wishes” planner is now available for purchase at CharliRose.com.
