The term “bucket list” is named after the idiom “kick the bucket,” which means to die. A bucket list is a collection of things you want to accomplish before you “kick the bucket,” or die. The phrase was coined in 1999 and then popularized by the 2007 film The Bucket List, though it may have existed in other forms before that.  

Doing something special at the end of life, like taking a trip, visiting a favorite place, or sharing a meal with someone you love, can be more than a happy moment. A new study from the University of Texas at Arlington shows that completing a “bucket list” wish can help people feel better, bring families closer, and create a sense of peace during a difficult time.

Why Bucket List Wishes Matter

In hospice or end-of-life care, doctors and caregivers usually focus on medical treatments and comfort. But many people also have personal goals they want to complete before they die. These goals can be small or big, but they often mean a lot.

The research team, led by Swasati Handique along with professors Scott Ryan and Michael Bennett, looked at more than 2,200 articles about end-of-life care written between 2000 and 2024. Only 11 of those studies focused on what happens when people get to fulfill a last wish.

Even though the research is limited, the studies showed four main benefits when a final wish is granted:

Better teamwork between families, health care workers, and support organizations

Better overall well-being

Stronger family relationships

More feelings of gratitude

Why These Moments Matter

The researchers found that completing a wish does more than bring a brief smile. Families often remember these moments as some of the most meaningful in their lives—similar to a wedding or the birth of a child. These experiences can bring comfort, help loved ones heal old disagreements, and create warm memories that last.

Wish fulfillment can also help caregivers. When they talk with patients about their dreams or hopes, they learn what truly matters to them. This helps caregivers provide more compassionate, personalized care.

In some cases, fulfilling a wish even led to fewer hospital visits, which can lower health care costs and reduce stress.

Simple Wishes Can Have a Big Impact

Not all final wishes cost a lot of money. Many can be done through programs like the 3 Wishes Project. Some wishes are simple, such as:

• Playing a favorite song

• Decorating a hospital room in a favorite color

• Sharing a favorite food

• Bringing in a special keepsake

Small gestures like these can bring comfort, reduce regret, and help a person feel more at peace.

What’s Next

The researchers say more studies are needed to better understand how wish-fulfillment programs help patients and families. But they believe these programs can bring dignity, peace, and emotional healing at the end of life.

Their message is clear: helping people fulfill meaningful wishes—even small ones—can make their final days feel more complete and comforting.