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Two digital platforms designed to help individuals document funeral wishes and personal legacies have officially been launched to address the UK’s reluctance to plan for death.
Founded by former executive Nick Annetts, Encore Digital Platforms allows users to record practical arrangements and messages for relatives before they are needed.
The system aims to support funeral directors who frequently manage families making rushed decisions without clear information during the initial grieving process.
The service includes For My Encore, which records life stories and funeral preferences, and For Their Encore, a platform for tribute pages and charitable donations.
News of the launch follows reports from the Dying Matters Coalition that highlight national discomfort regarding death, which often leads to a lack of preparation for end-of-life services.
By capturing preferences in advance, the platforms provide funeral homes with clearer guidance while offering new opportunities for engagement with pre-need planning services, according to its founder.
Annetts said: “Funeral directors play an essential role at one of the most difficult moments in people’s lives but too often, families arrive without the information or clarity they need.
“Encore is designed to support both sides, helping individuals prepare, while giving funeral professionals a stronger foundation to work from.”
Grief counsellor, Nicky Harper, added: “I can see creating an Encore, either for yourself or a loved one, being a very therapeutic process. The guided questions help trigger positive memories and experiences, and it becomes something families will return to again and again.”
