The Importance of Legacy
Leaving a legacy is one of the most important and empathetic things that we can do. Once we are gone, it’s a way for our family to cherish and relive wonderful experiences, our friends to remember and smile and our memory to ultimately stay alive.
Leaving a legacy of some kind will allow for our loved ones to remember us in a way that is meaningful, interactive and in some way tangible. Our memories are precious- and a legacy provides something physical that those we leave behind can hold dear.
What is a legacy?
A legacy could be many things, but in essence it is something that you leave behind after you’re gone. It could be something physical - like a park bench, or something experiential - like sponsoring a student. Either way, it’s a little something of ourselves, when we are no longer here. A legacy allows and encourages others to remember you, and for your memory to live on.
Ways to leave your legacy
There are many ways to leave your legacy, so that your loved ones can experience a little of you, when you’re no longer here. Popular ways to leave a legacy include the following…
Make a bequeathment in your will
When we make our wills, we may initially think of leaving finances to our friends and family. But we can also bequeath important and sentimental objects, experiences and property, all of which will leave a familial legacy.
You can also think a little outside of the box and make donations to universities, schools, medical facilities, theatres - really anything that you’re passionate about that you feel would benefit from a financial injection. Famously, Peter Rogers (creator of the Carry On films) made a bequeathment of £3.5million to a charity that helps film workers. If you’re passionate about education, a particular industry or the arts, why not leave a legacy to support them to continue the work that you’ve so enjoyed.
Sponsor a student or institution
Similarly, there are plenty of schemes whereby you can sponsor a student or educational institution. Here your legacy not only does good, but your memory will live on and continue to inspire others to achieve. Your money gets a ‘second life’ and your goodness will provide a lasting legacy for someone else.
Create a time capsule
If you’re looking to leave a legacy of your life, but don’t necessarily want it to be directed to your loved ones, why not create a time capsule? Fill it with photos, letters and objects that are important to you. That way, some one, some time in the future, will find a little piece of you and your memory and legacy will live on.
Create a video or audio legacy
Speaking of time capsules, have you ever considered creating a video or audio time capsule? Here you take part in a professional, empathetic interview, where you can share all the remarkable parts of your life.
The DVC or audio files are then presented in a beautiful presentation box- something your family can enjoy time and time again after you’ve gone. A digital legacy will live on and on. Unlike a physical time capsule, which might only reach one or two people, a digital ‘record your life story’ experience can be enjoyed by your children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and so on… Not only will this be a comfort and a joy to those you know, it will also give those you’ve never met the opportunity to learn all about their relative: immortalising you and your individual, unique story in digital form.
Leaving your legacy through the medium of a ‘record your life story’ isn’t just a gift for your loved ones. It allows you a once in a lifetime experience to be centre-stage of your narrative; to tell the stories that you want to live on and to share the experiences and emotions that you want your family to know. Interviews can take place in the comfort of your own home, and will be led by empathetic, understanding interviewers, who are there to put your story first.
Monkeynut Audiobooks and Sound are experts in the field of sound, so can guarantee a video / audio legacy that sounds, and looks, fantastic. Our dedicated team is here to make sure that you leave the perfect legacy that will live on for decades to come. Contact us today to discuss how we can create your life story - we can’t wait to hear it!