As we wrap up another year and look ahead to the new one, many of us naturally find ourselves reflecting on what matters most—our accomplishments, our relationships, and the mark we want to leave behind. This year-end season is the perfect time to think about something many families put off: legacy planning.
Legacy planning isn't just about finances or legal documents, though those are important. It's about ensuring your values, your wishes, and your story live on in a meaningful way. It's about giving your family the gift of clarity and peace during an already difficult time. If 2025 is the year you finally want to tackle this, we're here to help you understand why it matters and how to get started.
What Is Legacy Planning, Really?
Legacy planning encompasses all the decisions and preparations you make to guide what happens after you're gone.
It includes:
End-of-life planning decisions about funeral preferences, burial or cremation choices, and the type of service that reflects who you are.
Documenting your wishes so your family knows exactly what you want—from major decisions to small personal touches.
Financial and legal preparations like wills, trusts, power of attorney, and healthcare directives.
Sharing your values and stories with your family in a way that preserves who you are for future generations.
Making arrangements that ease the burden on your loved ones during an already emotional time.
The goal is simple: you get to decide how you're remembered, and your family gets clear guidance instead of confusion and stress.
Why Legacy Planning Matters Now More Than Ever
You might be thinking, "I'll deal with this someday." Here's the reality: none of us knows when that "someday" will come. Legacy planning isn't morbid—it's actually one of the most loving things you can do for the people you care about.
It Protects Your Family
When you haven't documented your wishes, your family is left guessing. During a time when they're already grieving and stressed, they're forced to make major decisions on your behalf without knowing what you would have wanted. This can lead to conflict, guilt, and financial strain.
By putting your plans in place now, you remove that burden. Your family can focus on honoring your life rather than debating how you would have wanted things done.
It Reflects Who You Are
A funeral or memorial service shaped by your own vision is fundamentally different from one decided by others guessing at your preferences. Maybe you want a quiet, intimate gathering instead of a large service. Maybe you want to be remembered with laughter and your favorite songs rather than somber hymns. Maybe you have specific charitable causes you want to be recognized in your memory.
Legacy planning ensures your personality and values shine through, even after you're gone.
It Provides Peace of Mind
This year, consider giving yourself the gift of knowing everything is in order. There's a particular kind of peace that comes from having your affairs organized and your wishes documented. You can stop worrying about what-ifs and start enjoying your life, knowing you've given your family a roadmap.
It Saves Money and Time
Without clear planning, families often face unexpected costs and lengthy legal proceedings. A thoughtful legacy plan can actually save your family thousands of dollars and months of hassle.
The Key Components of Legacy Planning
If you're ready to start, here's what you should know about the main elements of legacy planning:
1. End-of-Life Planning Decisions
Start with the practical: How do you want to be remembered?
This includes:
- Funeral preferences: Do you want a traditional funeral, a memorial service, a celebration of life, or something more intimate?
- Burial or cremation: What feels right to you? Do you have preferences about where your remains should be placed?
- Location and type of service: Where should your service be held? Do you have a faith tradition or specific location that's meaningful to you?
- Preferences for flowers, music, readings, or eulogies: What speaks to your values and personality?
Many people find it helpful to write these preferences down in a document your family can easily find. Some even
pre-plan their service with a funeral home, which takes a huge burden off their loved ones.
2. Financial and Legal Documents
These are the backbone of responsible legacy planning:
- Will or Trust: Clearly state how you want your assets distributed and who should manage your estate.
- Power of Attorney: Designate someone to make financial decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated.
- Healthcare Directive or Living Will: Document your wishes about medical care, life support, and organ donation.
- HIPAA Authorization: Allow specific people to discuss your medical information with doctors.
These documents ensure that even if you can't communicate your wishes, your choices are still honored.
3. Family Communication and Wishes Documentation
This is where many people fall short, but it's absolutely essential. You need to actually tell your family what you've planned.
Have a family meeting or conversation where you:
- Share where important documents are located (safe deposit box, attorney's office, etc.)
- Explain your end-of-life wishes and why they matter to you
- Introduce them to your attorney or financial advisor if you have one
- Discuss your values and what's truly important to you
- Answer questions and provide clarity
This conversation might feel uncomfortable, but it's one of the most important you'll ever have. Your family will be grateful for the clarity and the chance to understand your priorities.
4. Sharing Your Story and Values
Legacy planning goes beyond logistics. It's also about preserving who you are.
Consider:
- Writing letters to family members to be opened after you're gone
- Recording video messages with your voice, your stories, your advice
- Documenting family history and traditions that matter to you
- Creating a ethical will (not legal, but deeply meaningful) that outlines your values, life lessons, and what you hope for your family's future
- Organizing photos and memories with context and stories your family won't otherwise know
These personal touches turn legacy planning into something truly meaningful.
How to Get Started with Legacy Planning
The new year is the perfect time to tackle this.
Here's a practical roadmap:
Step 1: Assess Your Situation
Think about:
- What assets do you have (property, investments, personal items)?
- Who do you want to benefit from your estate?
- Who should make decisions on your behalf if needed?
- How do you want to be remembered?
- What causes or people are important to you?
Step 2: Gather Your Documents
Round up:
- Titles to property and vehicles
- Investment and bank account information
- Insurance policies
- Previous wills or trusts
- Healthcare documents
Step 3: Consult the Right Professionals
Depending on the complexity of your situation, you might need:
- An estate planning attorney (highly recommended for most people)
- A financial advisor or tax professional
- A funeral director who can discuss end-of-life preferences and pre-planning options
Step 4: Document Your Wishes
Write down your preferences for:
- Funeral arrangements and service style
- Location of important documents
- Contact information for your attorney, financial advisor, and healthcare providers
- Your values and what you want your family to know
Step 5: Communicate with Your Family
Have the conversation. Yes, it might feel awkward at first, but your family will appreciate it deeply.
Share:
- Where documents are located
- Your wishes and reasoning
- The contact information for professionals involved in your planning
- Your values and priorities
Step 6: Review and Update Regularly
Life changes. Review your legacy plan every few years or after major life events (marriage, divorce, births, significant financial changes). Make sure everything still reflects your wishes.
Why Pre-Planning Your Funeral Matters
One of the most concrete and immediate ways to implement legacy planning is to pre-plan your funeral or memorial service with a
funeral home.
Here's why it's valuable:
You get to decide. You choose what matters to you, without time pressure or family debate.
It's organized. Your family knows exactly what to expect and what arrangements have already been made.
It can be pre-paid. You can lock in costs now, protecting your family from inflation and unexpected expenses.
It eases the burden. When the time comes, your family doesn't have to make major decisions while grieving. They can simply follow your wishes.
It honors your personality. Whether you want a traditional funeral, a celebration of life with your favorite music, or a small gathering, it's documented and will be respected.
Starting the Conversation with Your Family
If you've never discussed legacy planning with your family, here's how to break the ice:
Choose the right time. Don't ambush someone. Find a calm moment when you can have a focused conversation.
Be straightforward. "I want to talk about my future and what I want to happen if something happens to me. I know it's not a fun topic, but it's important to me."
Explain why it matters. Help them understand this isn't about you being morbid—it's about protecting them and ensuring your wishes are honored.
Listen to their concerns. They might have questions or anxieties. Give them space to express those.
Provide concrete information. Tell them where documents are and who they should contact.
Follow up in writing. After the conversation, send a written summary of what you discussed. This prevents misunderstandings later.
The Gift You're Really Giving
When you engage in legacy planning, you're giving your family something incredibly valuable: clarity, peace of mind, and the knowledge that you cared enough to think about them and their wellbeing.
You're also giving them something more intangible but equally precious—your story, your values, and the reassurance that you'll be remembered the way you wanted to be. In a world that moves quickly and often forgets, that's a meaningful gift.
Your Next Step
This year-end season, consider making legacy planning your new year's resolution. It doesn't have to be complicated. Start with one step—whether that's writing down your funeral preferences, contacting an attorney, or scheduling a conversation with your family.
If you'd like to discuss pre-planning your funeral or memorial service, we're here to help. Legacy planning is what we do, and we've guided countless families through this process. There's nothing to fear and everything to gain by taking this step.
Your family will thank you. And more importantly, you'll have the peace of mind that comes from knowing your wishes will be honored and your legacy will be preserved.
