diff --git a/.changeset/crash-loop-baby.md b/.changeset/crash-loop-baby.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4f629c7f92
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/crash-loop-baby.md
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+---
+'@backstage/backend-app-api': patch
+'@backstage/backend-defaults': patch
+---
+
+Plugin lifecycle shutdown hooks are now performed before root lifecycle shutdown hooks.
diff --git a/.changeset/crash-loop-honey.md b/.changeset/crash-loop-honey.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..60f9f04600
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/crash-loop-honey.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'@backstage/backend-defaults': patch
+---
+
+The database manager now attempts to close any database connections in a root lifecycle shutdown hook.