A new study has claimed that people in the UK are more likely to leave a charitable gift in their will and openly discuss plans for their final wishes and funeral than before the start of the Covid pandemic.

Research from the non-profit organisation Remember A Charity, surveyed more than 2,000 adults about changing attitudes to life and death since the start of the pandemic.

More than a quarter (27%) are now more likely to discuss their final wishes and funeral plans, which climbs to almost a third (32%) amongst those over the age of 55.

They also found that women (29%) are now more likely than men (24%) to address mortality issues, making plans for what lies ahead. 

Dorset Echo: More people in the UK are likely to discuss their funeral plans than before the pandemicMore people in the UK are likely to discuss their funeral plans than before the pandemic (Image: Canva)

Brits likely to be more charitable in wills now

Remember A Charity is an organisation which is made up of around 200 charities that work to inspire the public to consider leaving a gift in their will.

It claims that attitudes have shifted a little since 2020, with 21% of those surveyed saying that the pandemic has led them to become more likely to support charitable causes.

Additionally, the group's longer-term benchmarking study from OKO – looking specifically at charity givers aged 40 and above – finds that more people are choosing to extend their giving beyond their own lifetime.

It says that 29% of those aged above 40 who have written a will now include a charitable gift which is up from 25% in 2018. 

This appears to be a growing trend across younger generations as over a third (37%) of 40-50-year-olds who have written a will say they have included a charitable gift.

In comparison around 25% of over 70s have said they will do so.

Lucinda Frostick, Director at Remember A Charity, said: “The pandemic has given us all a new perspective on the world, particularly when it comes to taking care of those we leave behind.

"It’s great to see people opening up and discussing their final wishes with family and friends, and that appetite is growing for including a charity alongside gifts for loved ones in the nation’s wills.   

“The wonderful thing about donating in this way is that any amount can be gifted, no matter how large or small, and that income can help to sustain good causes long into the future.”