Legacy Planning
Legacy Letters: How to Leave a Story That Lives On
Published November 9, 2025
Use a digital time capsule to gather letters, audio, and photos that explain the choices you made and the values you hope your family will continue. A well-crafted legacy message gives future generations a compass when life feels uncertain.
Build around three pillars
Share pivotal moments
Highlight a handful of stories that define your family’s journey—moving across the country, a tradition you started, or the day you met your partner.
Explain the why behind your values
Write a short note for each value you want them to carry forward and describe the experiences that shaped those principles.
Offer practical guidance
Record tips for crossroads they will face—graduations, career changes, caring for aging parents, or raising kids of their own.
Add voices from every branch of the family tree
Invite siblings, adult children, or close friends to record short clips about how your life impacted theirs. A mix of voices turns the capsule into an archive of gratitude and perspective that your grandchildren can replay whenever they need reassurance.
Prompts to get you started
- What is a lesson you learned the hard way that could save them time or heartache?
- Which family traditions should continue even if everyone lives far apart?
- How do you want them to feel when they read or listen to this capsule?
- What future milestone should trigger them to reopen the capsule for a fresh reminder?
Deliver it at the right moment
Schedule the capsule to unlock on a milestone—like the birth of a first grandchild or the anniversary of your wedding. Pair the reveal email with a printable QR tucked into a keepsake box so they always know where to find your guidance.