Four in five Brits worry how their family will cope after they die, but less than half have a will leaving nothing but financial chaos

From family fallouts to funeral costs, most UK adults (79%) harbour worries about how loved ones will cope after they die, and yet less than half of the adult population (48%) have a valid will, leaving inheritance in the hands of the law, and loved ones to pick up the pieces, according to new research³ from Zurich.

The emotional impact of bereavement is often compounded by family tensions. Zurich's research found that one in five people experienced strained family relationships following the death of a loved one, while one in 10 said the fallout was so severe they never spoke to that family member again. Yet many families are still avoiding the conversations that could prevent disputes. Nearly four in 10 UK adults (39%) say they find it difficult to talk to loved ones about their final wishes, while only half have shared how they want their assets split

Managing probate or estate administration is a responsibility that falls to around two in three (42%) people facing the death of a loved one. It’s a taxing experience, especially in the absence of a will. Zurich’s research found three in five people (60%) responsible for probate found it difficult, rising to 83% of millennials. It’s one of the reasons the government is considering closing some of the loopholes that can make the experience acutely difficult for some, such as cohabitants and unmarried partners.

The research suggests experience is a powerful motivator. Those living through a painful probate process due to the absence of a will are significantly more likely to have their own end-of-life planning in order. Two in three (68%) of those in this cohort have a valid will, compared to just 48% of the wider population. Indeed 28% of recently bereaved people who have witnessed a loved one die without a will, say the experience has prompted them to put their own affairs in order, and a further 20% have considered taking action.

Louise Colley, Director of Retail Protection at Zurich UK, said:

“For me personally, getting my grandma’s Be-Ro recipe book which was dotted with sauce stains and flour dust, was a symbol of her love that will carry through generations. When facing a bereavement these keepsakes are priceless, and those left behind are often grateful they have survived. It’s why we give our life insurance customers the ability to save cherished items in their digital ‘LifeVault’ alongside the important documents that help family and friends navigate the turbulent waters following a death.

“None of us wants to imagine the day we are no longer here, but the choices we make now can be one of the greatest gifts we leave behind: easing the burden on the people we love when they are grieving most. Planning for death is not cold, morbid or administrative - it is love made practical. It’s an act of empathy that outlives us, even though we may never see its impact. Yet with only one in three people comfortable talking about death, too many families are left guessing. My hope is that this book gives people the reason and the courage to start today. Have the conversation, write down what matters, protect the memories, and make sure those you love know your wishes.”

Comfort food

Zurich’s research reveals that food is one of the most powerful ways we remember lost loved ones. Almost half (47%) of recently bereaved people say that food, whether cooking or eating, has in some way helped them through their grief. A further one in six (16%) say that if they could spend one more day with their lost loved one, they would choose to share a meal with them.

Indeed, with the kitchen often serving as the heart of the home, it is where legacy so often lives. Two in five (37%) UK adults saying they have inherited a food-related keepsake, whether a recipe, a cookbook, a kitchen utensil or cooking pot. Only one in six people (17%) have inherited a family recipe, one in eight (13%) received a treasured kitchen utensil, and one in 10 (10%) were left a beloved cookbook. About one in five (21%) expect to pass down a kitchen keepsake of their own one day.

Edward Wilson, 33, lost his wife Sophie to ovarian and womb cancer aged just 29:

“Sophie showed extraordinary resilience, remaining positive and selfless despite multiple surgeries, failed fertility treatment, and a terminal diagnosis. When she died, the world lost its colour, so I chased anything that reminded me of her, the people, places, and the smell of the Thai curry that so often brought us together.

“Life was hard for a long time, and just when it felt like I was in reach of something like normality, I was hit with a second wave of grief caused by guilt for not thinking about her all the time. It took me a long time to feel ok talking about it, and it’s still so hard to do, but sharing this dish helps, and I hope it helps others to get together and remember their loved ones too.”

Keepsake kitchen

Inspired by this connection, ‘Legacy Kitchen’ is a collection of 20 treasured family recipes and lessons from loss, contributed by people across the nation who have lost someone close to them. Curated by Matt Tebbutt and Zurich, each dish is an obituary to a life well lived, and an invitation to remember precious moments shared.