End of Life Planning Market Report 2026

The end of life planning market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $36.63 billion in 2025 to $40.09 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to aging global population, increasing awareness of end of life preparedness, rising healthcare dependency, growing recognition of legal documentation needs, increasing life expectancy trends.

The end of life planning market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $56.37 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for structured care planning, growing acceptance of digital legacy tools, increasing emphasis on personalized end of life support, expanding healthcare guidance services, rising need for secure data based decision recording. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of digital end of life documentation platforms, rising focus on secure storage of legal and medical directives, growing use of online estate and financial planning solutions, expansion of tele-based counseling and support services, strengthening integration of health data in care preference planning.

The increase in the proportion of individuals reaching retirement age is expected to drive the growth of the end-of-life planning market moving forward. Retirement age refers to the time when a person typically ceases full-time employment and may become eligible for retirement benefits. The increasing proportion of individuals reaching retirement age, due to improved healthcare leading to longer life expectancy, the aging of the large baby boomer generation, and declining birth rates reducing the proportion of younger individuals, is contributing to this growth. End-of-life planning is crucial for the retirement-age population to ensure their care preferences and treatment wishes are respected during their final stages of life. For instance, in August 2023, according to data from Statistics Canada, approximately 21.8% of Canadians aged 55 to 59 reported being fully or partially retired. This percentage doubled to 44.9% for those aged 60 to 64 and nearly doubled again to 80.5% for those aged 65 to 69. Therefore, the increase in the proportion of individuals reaching retirement age is driving the growth of the end-of-life planning market.

Major companies operating in the end-of-life planning market are focusing on providing personalized and customized solutions, such as self-authored obituaries, to offer a user-friendly digital platform. A self-authored obituary is a written or recorded reflection on one's life and legacy, often prepared in advance as part of end-of-life planning. For instance, in January 2023, Newham Council, a UK-based government entity, launched the MyWishes digital platform, a tool designed for end-of-life planning and tailored for use by the local community. The platform enables residents to document and share care decisions, including funeral wishes, writing or recording self-authored obituaries, making necessary plans, and leaving goodbye messages for family and friends in the event of their death. This reduces stress on the family post-bereavement. Users can specify health and social care preferences, and printed documents can be shared with healthcare providers.

In May 2023, Wellthy Inc., a US-based service company providing caregiving support, acquired Lantern Co. for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, Wellthy aimed to more intentionally support families as they handle the emotional, financial, and logistical challenges that often come with end-of-life situations. Lantern Co. is a US-based artist-led organization offering services that include proactive planning of end-of-life preferences and supportive guidance.

Major companies operating in the end of life planning market report are MetLife Inc., Service Corporation International (SCI), Crossroads Hospice & Palliative Care, TrustandWill, Dignity plc, Better Place Forests Co., Gathered Here Pty Ltd., OpusXenta Pty Ltd., Farewill, Perfect Memorials, Funeralwise, Everplans, Eterneva, Lady Anne Funerals, Aftersteps, SafeWill, GoodTrust, GatheringUs, EstateExec, Going With Grace, Funeralocity Inc., funeralOne, Death With Dignity.

North America was the largest region in the end of life planning market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the end of life planning market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the end of life planning market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The end-of-life planning market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as advance directives, healthcare decision-making, funeral prearrangements, legal consultations, and financial advice. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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