How to use the pet end-of-life preparation checklist
This checklist is for seeing, in one place, what is already arranged and what is still open as the end gets close. Tick whichever of the nine commonly mentioned items are done, add anything specific to your household one line at a time, and the tool reports the item count, how many are done, the progress figure and the list of what is left. Items you type stay on the open list until you delete the line.
There is no established end-of-life preparation sequence for an owner to follow, so this tool offers no stages and no timeline and leaves the items and their order up to you. The listed items cover only decisions an owner can actually make: care discussions, clinic contacts, transport, cremation or burial options, time together, keepsakes, the other animals and support for yourself. Current as of October 2026.
Anything that needs medical judgment, such as pain control or whether to treat, is outside this checklist. Costs, aftercare options and home burial rules differ by state, city and provider, so those need checking directly. This checklist is for reference only and does not replace veterinary care. Contact your veterinarian right away if you notice symptoms or suspect a problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. There is no established end-of-life preparation sequence for owners to follow. Reorder or skip items to fit your situation and your family.
It keeps what you wrote visible. Delete the line once that item is handled and it drops out of both the item count and the progress figure.
Talking through pain and care options with your veterinarian, and writing down which clinic to call and when it is open, make everything else easier.