An obituary can be a way to share your life story and communicate information about significant events and people, as well as important values you would like to impart to others. You do not need to leave this task for grieving family members to do after you pass away: Instead, writing your own obituary can be an important part of your estate planning that you can do today.
Estate Planning Isn’t Just about Money and Property. When estate planning is mentioned, it is not unusual for a will or a trust to come to mind first. Wills and trusts are among the most common estate planning tools for transferring your belongings and money to your loved ones. But there is more… you have many stories, lessons, experiences, and values to share. You may want to acknowledge family members and people who have played an important part in your life. Your obituary is also a great opportunity for you to ensure that you are remembered in the way you wish.
What Should You Include? There is no correct format, tell your story in the way you feel most comfortable, showcasing your personality. Here are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
Important life events: If you would like an opportunity to tell a brief story of your life, your obituary can provide an opportunity for you to highlight the most impactful experiences from your youth into adulthood.
Lessons learned: Most people learn many lessons over the course of their lives, you can include these lessons in your obituary.
Gratitude: You can express gratitude to the people who have played an important and beneficial role in your life.
History: You can tell about the different periods in history in which you lived and how they impacted you. Your loved ones will cherish your memories of those times because they are part of what molded you as a person. Writing down your memories will also leave an important historical record for the next generation.
Goodbyes: Your obituary can be a wonderful way for you to say goodbye to friends and family members. It is invaluable for those who are important to you to know that you have thought of them and have made an effort to express your affection.
Where Should You Store It? You should store the original version of your obituary in the same safe location as your other estate planning documents. Be sure to let your family, executor, and trustee know where your documents are stored.
We Can Help. Writing your own obituary enables you to provide a final message of love. In addition, it will relieve your family members of this task during an emotionally difficult time. Please call us to set up a meeting so we can help you create a comprehensive estate plan, one that addresses not only the important legal documents but also important acts you can do for your loved ones which includes your obituary. You can rest assured that your family members and loved ones will receive all the emotional, spiritual, and monetary gifts you intend.