The Greatest Gift You Can Leave Behind

Have you ever stopped to think about the greatest gift you could leave the people you love?

Most folk think it’ll be money, jewellery or the family home. But I honestly think it’s something much more simple than that.

It’s leaving your family with the certainty of knowing exactly how you wanted your life to be remembered.

Throughout my working life, and now as an independent celebrant, I’ve come to realise just how important these conversations are. One thing I hear time and time again is, “We just didn’t know what Mum would have wanted,” or “Dad never talked about it.” Families always do their very best, but when you’re grieving, having to second-guess every decision can make an already difficult time even harder.

That’s why I’m proud to offer something called The Legacy Conversation.

A Relaxed Chat Over a Brew

Now, despite the name, it isn’t about planning your funeral from start to finish. It’s certainly not a gloomy meeting where we sit talking about death for an hour.

Quite the opposite. It’s simply a relaxed chat over a brew.

I ask a few gentle questions, you tell me your story and together we record the things that really matter to you.

Perhaps there’s a song that always makes you smile.

Maybe there’s a poem that’s stayed with you throughout your life.

You might want people wearing bright colours instead of black, or perhaps you’d rather your family celebrated your life with plenty of laughter.

Whatever it is, this is your opportunity to tell someone. There’s no rush. There’s no pressure. And there’s absolutely no charge.

You might also enjoy reading my blog Don’t Wait Until You’re Dead – Plan Ahead, which explains why planning ahead can be one of the kindest things you ever do for your family.

How a Legacy Conversation Works

A Legacy Conversation usually takes around 45 minutes to an hour. While we chat, I make careful notes about everything you’ve shared with me. Afterwards, I prepare a document recording your wishes and keep it safely on your behalf.

Then, when the time eventually comes, your family won’t be left wondering. They’ll know exactly what mattered to you. And they’ll know exactly who to call.

It isn’t a legal document, and it doesn’t bind anybody to anything. It’s simply your wishes, recorded clearly and held with care. If your thoughts change in the future, that’s absolutely fine too. We can update it whenever you like.

And, if you’ve ever wondered whether you can choose the person who leads your funeral, I’ve explained it in my blog Can I Choose My Own Funeral Celebrant?.

Taking Away a Little of the Uncertainty

For me, that’s one of the most important parts of being an independent celebrant. Families already have enough to cope with when someone dies. If I can take away even a little bit of uncertainty and give them the reassurance that they’re carrying out your wishes, then I’ve done something worthwhile.

It Isn’t Really About Dying

The Legacy Conversation isn’t really about dying. It’s about living.

It’s about your memories, your values, your personality and the people who’ve made your life special. Most of all, it’s about leaving your family with the comfort of knowing they got it right.

I genuinely believe every adult should think about having this conversation.

We write wills.

We take out insurance.

We plan for retirement.

So why wouldn’t we spend an hour talking about one of the biggest days our family will ever have to face?

Have Your Own Free Legacy Conversation

If you’d like to have your own free Legacy Conversation, I’d love to meet you.

We’ll put the kettle on, have a proper chat and create something that could become one of the kindest gifts you ever leave your family.

Because when the time comes… Love shouldn’t have to guess.