A legacy is how you want to be remembered and what you want to leave behind. Planning it is an opportunity to reflect on your life, identity, and the experiences and people that shaped you.
Reflecting on your legacy
You might want to ask yourself:
- What values or qualities do you hope to be remembered for?
- What stories, traditions, or lessons would you like to pass on to others?
- How might you positively impact the people who are important to you?
- Are there relationships you’d like to strengthen, celebrate, or mend?
- What experiences, values, or messages would you like to share with future generations?
- What kind of impact would you like to have on the world or your community?
What does a legacy look like?
A legacy can take many forms, from simple to more involved.
Writing
Writing can be a powerful way to express who you are, reflect on special experiences in your life, and work through emotions like sadness and grief.
You might want to:
- use a journal to reflect on special memories, experiences, and life lessons
- create a collection of your favourite recipes for future generations to enjoy
- write letters or emails for a loved one to read at different life stages in the future
- respond to prompts in a guided life review or reflection workbook
- write a poem, a story, or descriptive captions for a selection of family photos
Recording
Recording your voice or image can create something lasting and personal.
You might want to:
- make a video or audio diary
- share stories, family history, or personal messages
- record conversations or interviews with loved ones
Art and creativity
Sometimes expression comes more easily through images, objects, or music.
You might want to:
- build a photo album or scrapbook of keepsakes
- make a collage using photos and printed materials
- draw or paint your favourite places, people, or memories
- create simple sculptures or keepsakes, such as hand- or fingerprints
- assemble a memory box that holds meaningful items
Music
Music is a powerful way to find comfort and connection at the end of life.
You might want to:
- create digital playlists of your favourite songs to share with others
- pass on any musical instruments that are special to you
- host a jam or singalong with friends and family
- record yourself singing lullabies, birthday songs, or other special songs for people you care about
Memory-making activities
Shared experiences can be a meaningful way to strengthen relationships during times of loss.
Together with family and friends, you might want to:
- plant a tree, a garden bed, or a container together
- revive a lost family tradition or start a new tradition
- take a trip and mark the occasion with photos or a souvenir
- arrange for a family or group portrait
Preserving your family’s history
Preserving your family history can include gathering your genealogical history into a print or digital format and writing down important family stories so they can be passed on to future generations.
Questions to explore include:
- How far back, and to where, can your family’s roots be traced?
- Who is currently the oldest living relative in your family?
- How many families are in your generation?
- Who is currently the youngest member of your family?
Documenting your personal history
Looking back at your personal history can be a way to reflect on your life and share your experiences, memories, and milestones with future generations.
Questions to explore include:
- Where were you born and in what year?
- How many siblings do you have? Are you older or younger?
- What were your parents like when you were growing up?
- What were you like as a child? As a teenager?
- What were some of the places you lived?
- What challenges have you had to overcome?
- Who helped you along the way?
- How has the world changed since you were young?
Charitable giving or social causes
For some people, legacy planning includes supporting causes or communities as a way to make a positive impact beyond their immediate circle.
You might want to:
- support an organization whose work reflects your values or experiences
- contribute to a cause connected to your health journey or a loved one’s experience
- leave a gift to an organization or charity that has been meaningful in your life
- invite friends and family to support a fundraiser or awareness effort for an issue that matters to you
Ways to get started
Simple ways to begin might include:
- take time to reflect and notice which ideas resonate
- talk with someone about the values, experiences, or messages that matter most to you
- choose one activity that feels achievable and meaningful
- ask a friend, family member, or care provider for help
There is no right or wrong way to create a legacy
What matters is the meaning it creates for you, and how it provides something lasting to the people you care about.
Simple steps for planning your legacy
Think about how you want to be remembered and the values, stories, and experiences you want to pass on.
Reflect on the difference you want to make in the lives of others, your community, or causes that matter to you.
Write, record stories, create art or music, or preserve memories in ways that feel meaningful to you.
Create meaningful moments through shared activities, traditions, or special experiences.