Legacy letters (or ethical wills) have been used for centuries. A will hands down your valuables to your family, while a legacy letter hands down your values.

Some people write a legacy letter to a new grandchild, to pass on some family history and tell about their hopes for this new child. Other people will include a legacy letter with their regular will.

At other times someone who has been diagnosed with a terminal illness will write a letter to their children, telling them what has been meaningful in their life and how they would like to be remembered. This is especially valuable as it lets the family know that the person is prepared for the end of life. It also gives comfort to the writer to know that they have passed on to their family information of great and lasting value.

View a sample legacy letter here.
Want to live forever? Tell or write YOUR life story!