You may have strong ideas about where you'd like to live and be cared for at the end of your life, and where you would choose to die. This often involves balancing the pros and cons of different options, so it can be helpful to think about these in advance.

What to consider

Your choice of where to live at the end of your life will probably depend on many things, such as:

  • whether you have an illness that needs help from medical staff or care workers to manage – and how much help you need
  • what support you’d have if you stayed in your own home – for example, from friends, family or care workers
  • what’s available in your area – for example, whether there are spaces in hospice services or care homes
  • where you are currently living.

Talk to your GP and people you trust about your preferences and what might be possible. Ask your GP to record your wishes, or write an advance statement, so that professionals involved in your care are aware of what you would want.

At home

Many people wish to spend the end of their life in their own home. Familiar surroundings can provide comfort and help you to feel in control.

You may be able to get support to stay in your own home. You can:

  • get extra help at home – for example, if you need more care or support than family and friends are willing or able to give
  • speak to your GP about what’s available in your area – for example, if you need visiting palliative (end-of-life) care nurses or district nurses
  • ask your local council for a free care needs assessment if you need help with personal care
  • make adaptations to your home that could help you to stay there.
Up until three years ago, my mother could go up and down stairs at my home and the realisation that she couldn’t do this anymore was a real watershed moment. We brought a bed from upstairs and made a room for her downstairs. It isn’t ideal though, as we only have a small downstairs cloakroom, so we’re now looking at adapting downstairs to get a small en suite wet room for her.

Some people choose to remain at home. But, as their illness progresses, they may find that this isn’t possible and they’d rather be supported in a hospice, hospital or care home.

In a hospice

Hospice care is for people living with terminal or life-limiting illnesses. They are smaller, quieter and calmer than hospitals. Hospices focus on caring for people as individuals. They look after their emotional needs and wellbeing, as well as their medical and physical needs.

Hospices provide a range of services, including:

  • counselling
  • psychological and spiritual support
  • practical advice – such as information about benefits
  • pain and symptom management.

Sometimes, hospices can also provide care to people in their own homes or in a care home. 

Hospice care is always free, but places are limited and might not be available when you need one. Ask your GP or a local hospice for information, or use the Hospice UK Care Finder. You can find out more about hospice care on the Marie Curie website.

I think the whole environment of the hospice movement is about openness, about talking about it, and recognising and coming to terms with it.

In a care home

If you’re already living in a care home, you may want to spend the end of your life in a familiar place. 

You might also be able to move to a care home for a short period before you die. But bear in mind that care homes may have waiting lists and can be expensive.

The end-of-life care offered by care homes varies. Some will have their own end-of-life teams and others may use visiting services – for example, from a hospice. Speak to the care home about what they can provide.

Ask your local council to carry out a free care needs assessment before you move into a care home. You may qualify for help with funding from your local council or the NHS. You can search for care homes in your area through the care regulators:

For more information, read our page about choosing the right care home. 

In hospital

Many people will die in hospital, but if this is not what you want, speak to your doctor about other options. 

Hospitals may seem less comforting than being in your own home. But some people are reassured that staff have the expertise to care for them, and relieve their pain and symptoms where possible. Some hospitals will have specialist end-of-life (palliative) care teams.

If you want to donate your organs, this is only possible if you die in hospital. The law in England, Scotland and Wales now assumes that you agree to donate your organs if you meet the criteria and have not opted out. You can find out more and record your decision at:

Also of interest

Also in this section

Next steps

For more information about what to consider and how to record your wishes, read our guide Planning for the end of life.

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