End of Life Journal: A Step-by-Step Guide to Preserving Your Legacy
Many people contemplate writing an “End of Life Journal” to document their legacy. Although the thought of facing our own mortality is uncomfortable, taking the time to create a personal journal can bring peace and clarity, while providing your loved ones with a meaningful record of your life. Additionally, establishing an end of life journal allows you to organize your affairs to ensure all necessary steps are taken in preparation for your passing.
MyFamilyPlan provides this feature through its end of life planning worksheets, included in the broader workbook. In this guide, we’ll explore the importance of an end of life journal, how it can benefit you and your family, and the steps to getting started.
What is an End of Life Journal?
An end of life journal organizes all the details of your life in one place. It is a record of your estate details, legacy transition considerations, preferences for funeral and end of life arrangements, and messages to family members or friends. Additionally, it is a process to document your personal values and reflections on important life moments.
The Benefits of Keeping an End of Life Journal
1. Organize your Estate
An end of life journal helps you organize and document essential details about your finances and end of life items. It accomplishes this by combining your financials, estate documents, bills, contacts, business/home responsibilities, and postmortem details in one convenient place.
2. Preserve Your Legacy
An end of life journal offers a space for you to share your life story, beliefs, values, and significant events. By reflecting on your experiences, you can pass on your wisdom and insights, giving your family a better understanding of who you were and what shaped you.
3. Clarify Your Final Wishes
One of the most important aspects of a journal is the ability to document your preferences regarding funeral arrangements, medical care, and other critical decisions. Writing these things down will provide clear guidance for your family and ensure that your wishes are respected.
4. Emotional Healing for Family Members
For loved ones left behind, a journal can be an emotional comfort. Your words can help them navigate grief and reduce the emotional burden on your family, offering closure and understanding. It can also become a cherished keepsake that provides ongoing solace.
5. Empowerment and Control
Facing the end of life can feel like a loss of control. By documenting your thoughts and decisions, you regain control over how you are remembered and how your final days unfold. This can help reduce stress and anxiety for both you and your loved ones.
How to Start Your End of Life Journal
1. Acquire an End of Life Journal Template
While paper journals are available, we recommend starting with a digital end of life journal because they offer comprehensive estate, financial, and end of life planning tools. Additionally, digital solutions provide secure storage for documents, videos, and notes for your loved ones.
2. Set Aside Time for Reflection
Start by setting aside time each week or month to reflect and write in your journal. Don’t rush the process—take the time to document your thoughts at your own pace. Focus on your emotions, your values, and the memories that have shaped your life.
3. Include Key Information
- Personal History: Important moments and experiences that shaped your life.
- Values and Beliefs: What you believe in and the principles that guided you.
- Messages to Loved Ones: Letters or thoughts for specific family members or friends.
- End of Life Wishes: Preferences for your funeral, medical care, and any other important decisions.
- Financial Information: Details about assets, debts, or other financial matters.
4. Estate & Financial Information
Establish an accurate accounting of assets and liabilities, and associated details such as account locations and beneficiary designations. Identify and document all assets and liabilities tied to the estate along with life insurance policies, social security information, and a repository of your bills and expenses. This includes personal/family details, emergency contacts, attorney information, and security details such as location of security codes, safes, and passwords.
5. Be Honest and Open
Writing a journal requires courage, but it is a deeply meaningful process. Being honest about your feelings and wishes will provide clarity for both you and your loved ones.
Maintaining and Enriching Your End of Life Journal
Regular updates to your journal ensure its accuracy and completeness. Set calendar reminders for quarterly reviews of financial information and annual reviews of personal messages. Life events such as marriages, births, or property purchases should trigger immediate updates.
When writing personal messages, focus on authenticity rather than perfection. Share favorite memories, life lessons, and hopes for your loved ones’ futures. Consider writing individual letters for milestone events you might miss – graduations, weddings, or births. Include family stories, traditions, and values you want to pass down. These messages become more meaningful when updated with new thoughts and reflections over time.
Final Thoughts: The Gift of an End of Life Journal
Your journal acts as a final gift to your loved ones. It should be a deeply personal and thoughtful document created with the intention of providing guidance, comfort and support to your loved ones after you have passed away. Creating an end of life journal may not be the most comfortable task, but it’s one of the most valuable gifts you can give to yourself and your loved ones. It ensures that your wishes are documented, your life’s story is preserved, and your voice continues to be heard long after you’re gone.
Start today with MyFamilyPlan, and give your family clarity, peace of mind, and a lasting legacy. Your story deserves to be remembered.
Frequently Asked Questions About End of Life Journals
When is the right time to start an End of Life Journal?
The best time to start is now, regardless of your age or health status. Starting early gives you time to document your thoughts thoroughly and update information as your life changes. It’s not just for those facing immediate end-of-life situations – it’s a living document that evolves with you.
What if I’m not comfortable writing about certain topics?
Start with the practical aspects like financial information and medical preferences. Personal messages and reflections can be added gradually as you become more comfortable with the process. There’s no rule saying you must complete everything at once.
Who should have access to my End of Life Journal?
Consider sharing access with your executor, trusted family members, and perhaps your attorney. In digital formats, you can control which sections are accessible to different people. The key is informing your chosen contacts about where to find the journal and how to access it when needed.
The MyFamilyPlan Commitment
Take estate planning into your own hands with MyFamilyPlan and be
proactive in protecting and helping your loved ones when you are gone.
Private & Secure
Your data stays on your device, private and protected—never in the cloud.
Easy to Follow
Simple worksheet outlines guide you through each section for a stress-free experience.
