FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Whether you are planning ahead, handling things after a death, or finding your footing in grief, here is where many people start. There is no right or wrong order. Follow what feels useful, and reach out anytime through Contact us.

Getting started

What is Restfully?

Restfully is a place for end-of-life planning and grief support. We offer clear, research-grounded tools and plain language for some of the hardest moments a person faces, from organizing legal and practical details to moving through grief after a death.

We do not try to fix grief. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. Our resources meet people where they are and respect the differences in how each person experiences loss.

A place to begin: Planning support if you are preparing, or After a loss if someone has died.

Where should I start?

It depends on where you are. If you are planning for yourself or someone you care for, start with Planning support. If someone has recently died and you need to know what to do now, go to Immediate decisions. If you are grieving and want support, After a loss is a gentle entry point.

Not sure what you need: Contact us and we can figure it out together.

What does Restfully cost?

Many of our guides and tools are free to use. Some in-depth resources, like our organizers, and our professional certification are paid. You can see what is available and how each one works before deciding anything.

See your options: Organizers and resources.

Planning ahead

How do I start planning for the end of life?

Begin by getting the essentials in one place: your wishes, key documents, accounts, and the people who should know about them. You do not have to do it all at once. Small, steady steps are enough.

Next step: Get organized or use the Personal End-of-Life Organizer.

What documents do I need in place?

Most plans include a will, a way to name who handles your estate, and instructions for medical and financial decisions if you cannot make them yourself. The exact documents depend on your situation and where you live, so it is worth confirming the specifics.

Learn more: Legal options, how to pick an executor, and working with an estate attorney.

How do I talk to aging parents about end-of-life?

These conversations are easier when they start early and stay small. You do not need to cover everything in one sitting. Leading with care, and with curiosity about what matters to them, tends to open the door more than a checklist does.

Read this first: Talking to aging parents about end-of-life, and if you are unsure what to say, What to say.

Should I plan my own funeral?

Some people find that planning their own funeral takes a weight off the people they love and makes sure their wishes are known. It is a personal choice, and there is no pressure to do it on any timeline.

Consider this: Why you might plan your own funeral and our funeral planning tools.

Right after a death

Someone just died. What do I do first?

In the first hours and days, only a few things truly need to happen right away. The rest can wait. A short, ordered list can make a heavy moment feel more manageable.

Start here: Immediate decisions and the After-Death Checklist.

What decisions need to be made immediately?

The early decisions usually involve care of the body, notifying the right people, and a few time-sensitive arrangements. Many other choices, including most financial and legal steps, can come later when you have more room to think.

Walk through it: Immediate decisions, then After a loss for what comes next.

How do I handle the estate and finances?

Settling an estate happens in stages: confirming who is responsible, locating documents and accounts, and working through the legal and financial steps over time. It rarely needs to be rushed.

Get oriented: Choosing an executor, financial considerations, and when to involve an estate attorney.

Funerals and memorials

How do I plan a funeral or memorial?

A funeral can be as simple or as involved as you want. The main pieces are the type of service, the people you want there, and the details that make it feel true to the person. You can plan it your way.

Use these tools: Funeral planning and options and the Memorial Planner.

How much does a funeral cost, and how do I budget?

Costs vary widely depending on the choices you make, and you have more options than many people realize. Seeing the parts laid out clearly makes it easier to decide what matters to you and what you can skip.

Plan the budget: Funeral budget guide.

How do I write an obituary?

An obituary does not have to be long or formal. It is a way to share who someone was and how to honor them. A simple structure can help when words are hard to find.

Try the tool: Obituary Writer, and for programs and keepsakes, brochures and videos.

Grief support

How long does grief last?

Grief has no fixed timeline. It changes shape over time rather than ending on a schedule, and it can return in waves long after a loss. What you feel is not a sign that you are doing it wrong.

Find support: Tools for grievers and After a loss.

What are Grief Personas?

Grief Personas is our framework for understanding the different ways people experience and process grief. They are lenses, not labels, meant to help you recognize what you need and understand the people grieving alongside you.

Explore it: About Grief Personas or take the Grief Persona Quiz.

Which grief persona am I?

The quiz takes a few minutes and offers a starting point for understanding how you tend to process grief. It is meant to orient you, not box you in, and your results can shift over time.

Take the quiz: Grief Persona Quiz.

How do I support someone who is grieving?

You do not need the perfect words. Showing up, listening, and naming what is true often matter more than getting it exactly right. Knowing how that person tends to grieve can help you offer what actually lands.

Helpful here: What to say and supporting family and groups.

Are there tools to help me remember and reflect?

Yes. Some people find comfort in marking meaningful dates or writing things down over time. These are there if and when you want them.

Try these: Remembrance Reminders and Journal and Share.

For professionals

I work in hospice, funeral, or estate services. Can I work with Restfully?

Yes. We work with end-of-life professionals to support the families in their care, with resources that fit into your existing work rather than adding to it.

Learn more: Partner with us and Restfully Review.

What is Grief Persona Certification?

Grief Persona Certification trains professionals to use the Grief Personas framework with the families and clients they serve. It is built for people who work in this field and want a grounded way to tailor their support.

See the details: Grief Persona Certification and working in this field.

Privacy and safety

Is my information private?

We take the privacy of what you share seriously. You can read how we handle your information and the terms of using the site at any time.

Read the details: Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

If you or anyone else may be in immediate danger, do not use this site. Dial 911 or your local emergency services.