You may have inherited many of the values you hold today, but maybe you don't know exactly where those values originated. Writing a legacy letter will allow you to describe the experiences that have influenced how you view the world. Rather than writing down what you value, write about how your values were developed. Patience was likely learned through working in an environment with high expectations or stress. Kindness likely was developed by observing someone consistently helping others. Providing the background makes your values come alive. Writing about the experience that created your values will allow future generations to understand why you made the decisions you did and, therefore, make it not just advice but a part of your family's history.

The central idea behind writing a legacy letter is creating a personal bond with your family members who will read this letter. Write as if the person reading your letter is directly across from you. Share the gratitude you might not express often enough during your daily interactions. Talk about the qualities that make you admire them and the specific times you were especially proud of their accomplishments. Personal experiences on your part are the best way to create an emotional connection with the readers. Sometimes the shortest sentence has the most impact. Expressing confidence in another person can have an effect that lasts for many years.

A legacy letter should not be a rule book. It is an opportunity to share ideas that helped guide your own decisions, as well as experiences that shaped you, and what you learned from those experiences. In sharing these, use language that is inviting and supportive rather than instructional. The objective of writing this type of letter is not to dictate every single choice that your children may ever have to make. Rather, it is to give them some direction, some insights that may assist them to clear their thinking when faced with their own choices, their own decisions.

A big part of a great legacy letter is being hopeful about what the reader may experience in the future. You could write about the type of life you would like for them or the characteristics you want them to continue to develop. By doing this, you create a sense of encouragement that goes beyond the moment the letter is written. Many people also express confidence in the reader’s future by providing assurance through their arrangements. Knowing that arrangements have been made and responsibilities will be handled can offer the reader peace of mind. For example, many family members find solace in knowing that professional organisations, such as funeral directors, will assist them at a time of need, so the family can focus on one another without worrying about logistical issues. Legacy letters are one of the greatest opportunities to make sure nothing goes unsaid. Your letter preserves your thought process, your voice, and the wisdom that has developed throughout your life. Years later, your letter can provide guidance, reassurance and inspiration for others who read it.