Musician Ed Sheeran is unlikely to be the first person you think of when you want estate planning advice, but it’s something he’s spoken about recently. Read on to discover five important lessons you could take from his approach.
The chart-topper appeared on The Graham Norton Show (9 November 2025) and spoke about his decision to create an album that will be released posthumously. Showing his humorous side, he said the album would be called ‘Eject’. He added he believed preparing for his death was “just sensible”.
You might not have plans to release songs when you die, but Sheeran’s approach to his estate plan could still offer some insights that may be valuable to you.
1. You’re never too young to write a will
At age 34, Sheeran might seem too young to be thinking about his death, but it’s something many Brits could learn from.
According to research from Co-op Legal Services (8 November 2024), the average age to write a will is 58, and around 40 million people in the UK don’t have a will in place. As the average life expectancy is higher than 58, that might not initially seem like a problem. However, it’s impossible to know what’s around the corner.
Having a will in place allows you to state what you’d like to happen to your assets when you pass away. This can be valuable, even when you’re young.
After writing your will, remember to review it regularly and after major life events that could affect your wishes or its validity. For example, getting married automatically revokes any existing will – something that 56% of people are unaware of, according to Will Aid (10 September 2025).
2. Being proactive could ease the burden for your loved ones
Writing your will and creating an estate plan enables you to protect your loved ones by passing on assets and making probate easier to manage. For instance, you might name a professional or reliable friend to act as the executor of your estate to ease the burden on your partner or children.
In his interview, Sheeran noted that friends had passed away without a will and that probate was “chaotic” as a result.
While it can be difficult to think about your death, being proactive could make handling your estate less stressful for your loved ones.
3. Planning could help you take control of your legacy
One reason Sheeran decided to prepare a posthumous album is to maintain creative control of his legacy. He questioned whether some artists would be happy with the posthumous releases issued after their death, as they weren’t fully prepared when they passed away.
To take control of how he’ll be remembered, Sheeran has already prepared his final album, ‘Eject’.
While you might not be preparing tracks for the radio when you pass away, you may still want to think about the legacy you’ll leave behind. Perhaps you want to include a charitable donation in your will, or ensure sentimental items go to a specific beneficiary.
4. You can ensure your funeral aligns with your wishes by planning it now
If you have specific wishes for your funeral, it’s essential to ensure your loved ones know them. Indeed, Sheeran notes he’s already decided where he’d like to be buried and the songs he wants played during the service.
You can set out your funeral preferences in your will, though you should note these are not legally binding. Alternatively, you might opt to plan your funeral with a provider now, so you’re able to make the key decisions yourself.
According to SunLife’s Cost of Dying Report 2025 (15 January 2025), only 1% of Brits know all their loved ones’ funeral wishes. Indeed, 51% didn’t know if their loved one would prefer a burial or a cremation. Setting out your wishes could provide valuable guidance for your loved ones.
As well as ensuring you have the send-off you want, planning your funeral could ease the burden on your family.
Planning your funeral may lead you to pay for it now or set aside some money to cover the cost. The SunLife report found the average cost of a simple funeral was £4,285 in 2024, and 18% of families experienced notable financial concerns when paying.
5. You can consider how to pass on wealth tax-efficiently
While Sheeran didn’t speak about considering Inheritance Tax (IHT) as part of his estate plan, how to pass on wealth tax-efficiently is likely to have been an important consideration in his estate plan.
In the Sunday Times Rich List 2025 (18 May 2025), Sheeran was named the 13th richest person under 40 in the UK with a net worth of £370 million.
In 2025/26, the nil-rate band is £325,000. If the entire value of your estate falls below this threshold, no IHT will be due. If the value of your estate is above £325,000, it may be liable for IHT. The good news is that there are often steps you can take to reduce or mitigate a potential IHT bill to pass on more wealth to your loved ones.
Please get in touch to discuss your estate’s IHT liability and what steps you might take to reduce it.
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Please note:
This blog is for general information only and does not constitute financial advice, which should be based on your individual circumstances. The information is aimed at retail clients only.
Please do not act based on anything you might read in this article. All contents are based on our understanding of HMRC legislation, which is subject to change.
The Financial Conduct Authority does not regulate will writing, estate planning, or Inheritance Tax planning.