Leaving Behind Something Your Family Will Remember You By – Forming a Legacy Plan
When it comes to legacy planning, many think that distributing your financial assets is all there is to a good legacy. However, it is important to remember that money will only last so long, while property tends to lose its sentimental value over time.
One way of making sure your name lasts the test of time is to leave behind a rather large business that can sustain itself over the years; however, not everyone is so lucky. It is important to remember that a legacy isn’t simply about leaving behind what you earned, but also about what you learned.
A legacy is basically a short excerpt of your life, your highlight per se, that is a culmination of your life experiences, achievements, the love you had for your family and other similar aspects. This is something that your family members and friends will use to remember you.
But what can you do? Other than distributing your financial assets, what options do you have to make sure your legacy survives through generations? Here are some ways you can make sure your family remembers you, even if you didn’t have a conglomerate for them to inherit.
An IronClad Family Time Capsule
According to many, the true legacy that you leave behind is the number of hearts you touch – not the number of wallets you fill. However, even those who love you can learn to live in your absence (which is a good thing, mind you). Your legacy must be able to remind your family and their descendants about you.
An IronClad Family time capsule is a great way to do that. This is basically a ‘vault’, digital or otherwise, where you can store keepsakes important for your family. This ‘legacy gift’ may also include heirlooms and other artifacts that you can divide after some time has passed.
This will not only be a surprise for your family but also a good throwback to remember you. Some items that you can place in an IronClad Family time capsule include, but aren’t limited to:
- Notes and letters to family members
- Family images as reminders
- Artifacts and heirlooms
- Newspapers hosting you or important dates
- Questions and answers about family members
- Certificates
- Special items
- Dried flowers or a special plant that will serve as a memory
- Family recipes
- Tickets or travel itineraries, and more
Traditionally, time capsules demand that they be buried, but it’s just a romantic notion; not a practical one. Digital vaults, such as those offered by the IronClad Family, can be a great way to store your legacy in and turn it into time capsules.
Genealogy & Family History
One surefire way to make sure your family remembers you is by keeping your family tree alive. During your lifetime, you will have to incorporate a ‘tradition’ in your family where you all gather – perhaps have a barbeque – and revisit the memories of your parents.
Introduce your family to the concept of honoring your family tree. The tree should include the following for each person:
-
Name
-
Date of birth
-
Highlights of their life
When you and your family gather to honor that tree, make sure you discuss any fond memories of these individuals for your children to hear. They will do the same for you! Planting a tree for each individual isn’t a bad idea, either.
Favorite Charities
You must have given charity from time to time, and by now, you are bound to have a better understanding of which charity is best suited for your donations. These charities have meant a lot to you throughout your life, so tell your children that donations shouldn’t stop just because you’ll no longer be around.
This is a great way to help your family remember you. Whenever they’re contributing to said charity, they are bound to think about you.
Last but not least, you need to make sure your legacy is up to date-and stored securely. The goal should be to store everything in a place where you know your family won’t have any trouble accessing it when the time comes.
IronClad Family offers extensive plans for life’s unexpected events – not to mention how it can help keep your legacy planning ventures safe and secure over the years. To learn more about our vaults, get in touch today.
