This is your chance to say what you want others to know about you.

• Do it for yourself: For peace of mind knowing that you have had your say.
• Do it for your family and friends: To help them cope with a difficult time.

Your best chance of having your wishes honored is to write them down. Writing your own obituary can be part of your life and end-of-life planning.

The concept of an “ethical will” may be unfamiliar. An ethical will is a document that outlines a person’s values, life’s lessons learned, and hopes for the next generation. “Rather than money or possessions, ethical wills bequeath values, beliefs, and ideals to loved ones.”

The most important thing is to get started. Don’t put off writing your own obituary because it seems too big to finish. Here’s the good news: you don’t have to worry about finishing it! But you can get started. Perhaps knowing that you do not need to complete it will make it easier to begin.

The second most important thing is to leave your information where it can be found quickly. It’s fine to have a back-up copy with your lawyer or in your safety deposit box for example, but have a copy close at hand for those entrusted with your affairs when they need them.

Make your obituary interesting. List the facts of your life, but concentrate on anecdotes and recollections. “What do I want people to remember about me?”