diff --git a/doc/Doxyfile.cmake b/doc/Doxyfile.cmake
index 1757cffa..b5b8760e 100644
--- a/doc/Doxyfile.cmake
+++ b/doc/Doxyfile.cmake
@@ -24,7 +24,9 @@ MULTILINE_CPP_IS_BRIEF = NO
 INHERIT_DOCS = YES
 SEPARATE_MEMBER_PAGES = NO
 TAB_SIZE = 8
-ALIASES = 
+ALIASES += startlifecycle{1}="\name Lifecycle Functions for \1\n@{"
+ALIASES += startlifecycle="\name Lifecycle Functions\n@{"
+ALIASES += endlifecycle="@}"
 OPTIMIZE_OUTPUT_FOR_C = YES
 OPTIMIZE_OUTPUT_JAVA = NO
 OPTIMIZE_FOR_FORTRAN = NO
diff --git a/doc/doxygen/layout.xml b/doc/doxygen/layout.xml
index 647cfa32..84e1ec9d 100644
--- a/doc/doxygen/layout.xml
+++ b/doc/doxygen/layout.xml
@@ -1,7 +1,11 @@
 <doxygenlayout version="1.0">
   <!-- Generated by doxygen 1.8.13 -->
   <!-- Navigation index tabs for HTML output -->
-  <!-- The only FluidSynth related change in this file is the custom title and intro of the modules tab -->
+  <!-- FluidSynth related changes in this file compared to default layout:
+       - Custom title and intro for <navindev><tab type="modules">
+       - <membergroups> moved in front of <functions> in group layout so that we can change
+         constructors and destructors before all other functions
+  -->
   <navindex>
     <tab type="mainpage" visible="yes" title=""/>
     <tab type="pages" visible="yes" title="" intro=""/>
@@ -150,6 +154,7 @@
       <typedefs title=""/>
       <enums title=""/>
       <enumvalues title=""/>
+      <membergroups visible="yes"/>
       <functions title=""/>
       <variables title=""/>
       <signals title=""/>
@@ -159,7 +164,6 @@
       <events title=""/>
       <properties title=""/>
       <friends title=""/>
-      <membergroups visible="yes"/>
     </memberdecl>
     <detaileddescription title=""/>
     <memberdef>
diff --git a/include/fluidsynth/audio.h b/include/fluidsynth/audio.h
index 0ab5e596..4eca1788 100644
--- a/include/fluidsynth/audio.h
+++ b/include/fluidsynth/audio.h
@@ -81,6 +81,7 @@ typedef int (*fluid_audio_func_t)(void *data, int len,
                                   int nfx, float *fx[],
                                   int nout, float *out[]);
 
+/** @startlifecycle{Audio Driver} */
 FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_audio_driver_t *new_fluid_audio_driver(fluid_settings_t *settings,
         fluid_synth_t *synth);
 
@@ -89,6 +90,7 @@ FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_audio_driver_t *new_fluid_audio_driver2(fluid_settings_t *s
         void *data);
 
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void delete_fluid_audio_driver(fluid_audio_driver_t *driver);
+/** @endlifecycle */
 
 FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_audio_driver_register(const char **adrivers);
 /* @} */
@@ -109,9 +111,13 @@ FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_audio_driver_register(const char **adrivers);
  *
  * @{
  */
+
+/** @startlifecycle{File Renderer} */
 FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_file_renderer_t *new_fluid_file_renderer(fluid_synth_t *synth);
-FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_file_renderer_process_block(fluid_file_renderer_t *dev);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void delete_fluid_file_renderer(fluid_file_renderer_t *dev);
+/** @endlifecycle */
+
+FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_file_renderer_process_block(fluid_file_renderer_t *dev);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_file_set_encoding_quality(fluid_file_renderer_t *dev, double q);
 /* @} */
 
diff --git a/include/fluidsynth/event.h b/include/fluidsynth/event.h
index d5638f32..3da4ce23 100644
--- a/include/fluidsynth/event.h
+++ b/include/fluidsynth/event.h
@@ -67,8 +67,10 @@ enum fluid_seq_event_type
 };
 
 /* Event alloc/free */
+/** @startlifecycle{Sequencer Event} */
 FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_event_t *new_fluid_event(void);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void delete_fluid_event(fluid_event_t *evt);
+/** @endlifecycle */
 
 /* Initializing events */
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void fluid_event_set_source(fluid_event_t *evt, fluid_seq_id_t src);
diff --git a/include/fluidsynth/midi.h b/include/fluidsynth/midi.h
index 43253df0..a0cd3029 100644
--- a/include/fluidsynth/midi.h
+++ b/include/fluidsynth/midi.h
@@ -71,8 +71,10 @@ typedef int (*handle_midi_event_func_t)(void *data, fluid_midi_event_t *event);
  *
  * @{
  */
+/** @startlifecycle{MIDI Event} */
 FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_midi_event_t *new_fluid_midi_event(void);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void delete_fluid_midi_event(fluid_midi_event_t *event);
+/** @endlifecycle */
 
 FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_midi_event_set_type(fluid_midi_event_t *evt, int type);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_midi_event_get_type(fluid_midi_event_t *evt);
@@ -130,16 +132,24 @@ typedef enum
 } fluid_midi_router_rule_type;
 
 
+/** @startlifecycle{MIDI Router} */
 FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_midi_router_t *new_fluid_midi_router(fluid_settings_t *settings,
         handle_midi_event_func_t handler,
         void *event_handler_data);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void delete_fluid_midi_router(fluid_midi_router_t *handler);
+/** @endlifecycle */
+
 FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_midi_router_set_default_rules(fluid_midi_router_t *router);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_midi_router_clear_rules(fluid_midi_router_t *router);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_midi_router_add_rule(fluid_midi_router_t *router,
         fluid_midi_router_rule_t *rule, int type);
+
+
+/** @startlifecycle{MIDI Router Rule} */
 FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_midi_router_rule_t *new_fluid_midi_router_rule(void);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void delete_fluid_midi_router_rule(fluid_midi_router_rule_t *rule);
+/** @endlifecycle */
+
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void fluid_midi_router_rule_set_chan(fluid_midi_router_rule_t *rule,
         int min, int max, float mul, int add);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void fluid_midi_router_rule_set_param1(fluid_midi_router_rule_t *rule,
@@ -170,12 +180,16 @@ FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_midi_dump_postrouter(void *data, fluid_midi_event_t *ev
  *
  * @{
  */
+
+/** @startlifecycle{MIDI Driver} */
 FLUIDSYNTH_API
 fluid_midi_driver_t *new_fluid_midi_driver(fluid_settings_t *settings,
         handle_midi_event_func_t handler,
         void *event_handler_data);
 
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void delete_fluid_midi_driver(fluid_midi_driver_t *driver);
+/** @endlifecycle */
+
 /* @} */
 
 /**
@@ -198,8 +212,11 @@ enum fluid_player_status
     FLUID_PLAYER_DONE             /**< Player is finished playing */
 };
 
+/** @startlifecycle{MIDI Player} */
 FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_player_t *new_fluid_player(fluid_synth_t *synth);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void delete_fluid_player(fluid_player_t *player);
+/** @endlifecycle */
+
 FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_player_add(fluid_player_t *player, const char *midifile);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_player_add_mem(fluid_player_t *player, const void *buffer, size_t len);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_player_play(fluid_player_t *player);
diff --git a/include/fluidsynth/mod.h b/include/fluidsynth/mod.h
index b6c7f168..98a00b0c 100644
--- a/include/fluidsynth/mod.h
+++ b/include/fluidsynth/mod.h
@@ -72,8 +72,11 @@ enum fluid_mod_src
     FLUID_MOD_PITCHWHEELSENS = 16         /**< Pitch wheel sensitivity */
 };
 
+/** @startlifecycle{Modulator} */
 FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_mod_t *new_fluid_mod(void);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void delete_fluid_mod(fluid_mod_t *mod);
+/** @endlifecycle */
+
 FLUIDSYNTH_API size_t fluid_mod_sizeof(void);
 
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void fluid_mod_set_source1(fluid_mod_t *mod, int src, int flags);
diff --git a/include/fluidsynth/seq.h b/include/fluidsynth/seq.h
index 5b335744..549c9cfd 100644
--- a/include/fluidsynth/seq.h
+++ b/include/fluidsynth/seq.h
@@ -50,9 +50,12 @@ typedef void (*fluid_event_callback_t)(unsigned int time, fluid_event_t *event,
                                        fluid_sequencer_t *seq, void *data);
 
 
+/** @startlifecycle{MIDI Sequencer} */
 FLUID_DEPRECATED FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_sequencer_t *new_fluid_sequencer(void);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_sequencer_t *new_fluid_sequencer2(int use_system_timer);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void delete_fluid_sequencer(fluid_sequencer_t *seq);
+/** @endlifecycle */
+
 FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_sequencer_get_use_system_timer(fluid_sequencer_t *seq);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API
 fluid_seq_id_t fluid_sequencer_register_client(fluid_sequencer_t *seq, const char *name,
diff --git a/include/fluidsynth/settings.h b/include/fluidsynth/settings.h
index 2cfdb1f2..a8b3cb85 100644
--- a/include/fluidsynth/settings.h
+++ b/include/fluidsynth/settings.h
@@ -99,9 +99,10 @@ enum fluid_types_enum
     FLUID_SET_TYPE      /**< Set of values */
 };
 
-
+/** @startlifecycle{Settings} */
 FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_settings_t *new_fluid_settings(void);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void delete_fluid_settings(fluid_settings_t *settings);
+/** @endlifecycle */
 
 FLUIDSYNTH_API
 int fluid_settings_get_type(fluid_settings_t *settings, const char *name);
diff --git a/include/fluidsynth/sfont.h b/include/fluidsynth/sfont.h
index d41c6e70..b29d8b49 100644
--- a/include/fluidsynth/sfont.h
+++ b/include/fluidsynth/sfont.h
@@ -127,10 +127,12 @@ typedef fluid_sfont_t *(*fluid_sfloader_load_t)(fluid_sfloader_t *loader, const
 typedef void (*fluid_sfloader_free_t)(fluid_sfloader_t *loader);
 
 
+/** @startlifecycle{SoundFont Loader} */
 FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_sfloader_t *new_fluid_sfloader(fluid_sfloader_load_t load, fluid_sfloader_free_t free);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void delete_fluid_sfloader(fluid_sfloader_t *loader);
 
 FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_sfloader_t *new_fluid_defsfloader(fluid_settings_t *settings);
+/** @endlifecycle */
 
 /**
  * Opens the file or memory indicated by \c filename in binary read mode.
@@ -233,6 +235,7 @@ typedef fluid_preset_t *(*fluid_sfont_iteration_next_t)(fluid_sfont_t *sfont);
 typedef int (*fluid_sfont_free_t)(fluid_sfont_t *sfont);
 
 
+/** @startlifecycle{SoundFont} */
 FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_sfont_t *new_fluid_sfont(fluid_sfont_get_name_t get_name,
         fluid_sfont_get_preset_t get_preset,
         fluid_sfont_iteration_start_t iter_start,
@@ -240,6 +243,7 @@ FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_sfont_t *new_fluid_sfont(fluid_sfont_get_name_t get_name,
         fluid_sfont_free_t free);
 
 FLUIDSYNTH_API int delete_fluid_sfont(fluid_sfont_t *sfont);
+/** @endlifecycle */
 
 FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_sfont_set_data(fluid_sfont_t *sfont, void *data);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void *fluid_sfont_get_data(fluid_sfont_t *sfont);
@@ -313,6 +317,7 @@ typedef int (*fluid_preset_noteon_t)(fluid_preset_t *preset, fluid_synth_t *synt
  */
 typedef void (*fluid_preset_free_t)(fluid_preset_t *preset);
 
+/** @startlifecycle{Preset} */
 FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_preset_t *new_fluid_preset(fluid_sfont_t *parent_sfont,
         fluid_preset_get_name_t get_name,
         fluid_preset_get_banknum_t get_bank,
@@ -320,6 +325,7 @@ FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_preset_t *new_fluid_preset(fluid_sfont_t *parent_sfont,
         fluid_preset_noteon_t noteon,
         fluid_preset_free_t free);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void delete_fluid_preset(fluid_preset_t *preset);
+/** @endlifecycle */
 
 FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_preset_set_data(fluid_preset_t *preset, void *data);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void *fluid_preset_get_data(fluid_preset_t *preset);
@@ -329,8 +335,11 @@ FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_preset_get_banknum(fluid_preset_t *preset);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_preset_get_num(fluid_preset_t *preset);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_sfont_t *fluid_preset_get_sfont(fluid_preset_t *preset);
 
+/** @startlifecycle{Sample} */
 FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_sample_t *new_fluid_sample(void);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void delete_fluid_sample(fluid_sample_t *sample);
+/** @endlifecycle */
+
 FLUIDSYNTH_API size_t fluid_sample_sizeof(void);
 
 FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_sample_set_name(fluid_sample_t *sample, const char *name);
diff --git a/include/fluidsynth/shell.h b/include/fluidsynth/shell.h
index 63ca23a8..8df704ba 100644
--- a/include/fluidsynth/shell.h
+++ b/include/fluidsynth/shell.h
@@ -57,11 +57,14 @@ FLUIDSYNTH_API char *fluid_get_sysconf(char *buf, int len);
  *
  * @{
  */
+
+/** @startlifecycle{Command Handler} */
 FLUIDSYNTH_API
 fluid_cmd_handler_t *new_fluid_cmd_handler(fluid_synth_t *synth, fluid_midi_router_t *router);
 
 FLUIDSYNTH_API
 void delete_fluid_cmd_handler(fluid_cmd_handler_t *handler);
+/** @endlifecycle */
 
 FLUIDSYNTH_API
 void fluid_cmd_handler_set_synth(fluid_cmd_handler_t *handler, fluid_synth_t *synth);
@@ -87,14 +90,18 @@ int fluid_source(fluid_cmd_handler_t *handler, const char *filename);
  *
  * @{
  */
-FLUIDSYNTH_API
-void fluid_usershell(fluid_settings_t *settings, fluid_cmd_handler_t *handler);
 
+/** @startlifecycle{Command Shell} */
 FLUIDSYNTH_API
 fluid_shell_t *new_fluid_shell(fluid_settings_t *settings, fluid_cmd_handler_t *handler,
                                fluid_istream_t in, fluid_ostream_t out, int thread);
 
+FLUIDSYNTH_API
+void fluid_usershell(fluid_settings_t *settings, fluid_cmd_handler_t *handler);
+
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void delete_fluid_shell(fluid_shell_t *shell);
+/** @endlifecycle */
+
 /* @} */
 
 
@@ -114,6 +121,8 @@ FLUIDSYNTH_API void delete_fluid_shell(fluid_shell_t *shell);
  *
  * @{
  */
+
+/** @startlifecycle{Command Server} */
 FLUIDSYNTH_API
 fluid_server_t *new_fluid_server(fluid_settings_t *settings,
                                  fluid_synth_t *synth, fluid_midi_router_t *router);
@@ -121,6 +130,8 @@ fluid_server_t *new_fluid_server(fluid_settings_t *settings,
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void delete_fluid_server(fluid_server_t *server);
 
 FLUIDSYNTH_API int fluid_server_join(fluid_server_t *server);
+/** @endlifecycle */
+
 /* @} */
 
 #ifdef __cplusplus
diff --git a/include/fluidsynth/synth.h b/include/fluidsynth/synth.h
index 14346fcc..48aaed37 100644
--- a/include/fluidsynth/synth.h
+++ b/include/fluidsynth/synth.h
@@ -47,8 +47,11 @@ extern "C" {
  *
  * @{
  */
+
+/** @startlifecycle{Synthesizer} */
 FLUIDSYNTH_API fluid_synth_t *new_fluid_synth(fluid_settings_t *settings);
 FLUIDSYNTH_API void delete_fluid_synth(fluid_synth_t *synth);
+/** @endlifecycle */
 
 FLUIDSYNTH_API double fluid_synth_get_cpu_load(fluid_synth_t *synth);
 FLUID_DEPRECATED FLUIDSYNTH_API const char *fluid_synth_error(fluid_synth_t *synth);