In recent years, we have distributed our Legacy Letter Template with our estate plans. These templates are a way to get you started if you wanted to write a letter to memorialize your own family history, values, wishes, and any personal messages to particular people. This is one aspect of the personal side of estate planning. The legal side of estate planning can accomplish certain things such as naming your choice of individuals who will be in charge in case of capacity or after death and stating how your remaining assets should be divided among your beneficiaries; however, they do not necessarily provide the personal connection to your survivors and generations to come. A letter with your own thoughts and in your own handwriting could be the best gift that you leave behind.
Besides the Legacy Letter Template we also offer Priceless Conversations in which we would record your voice, either telling a story, recording some family history, or just engaging in conversation with one of us here at Ward Legal Group. What a powerful and lasting gift to those who will survive you.
Here is an interesting article about family narratives: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/17/fashion/the-family-stories-that-bind-us-this-life.html