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Write two letters for your family

Use six prompts for each of two personal letters for your family. One covers what matters if you cannot decide. The other covers what you want them to know after you are gone. Copy or print your own words. These letters are not a will.

What should you write to your family?

Your choices stay on this page. We do not save or send them.

If I cannot decide for myself
After I am gone

If I cannot decide for myself

This is a personal letter, not a will.

After I am gone

This is a personal letter, not a will.

What should you know before you write?

Is the letter a will?

No. It is a personal letter in your own words. Ask a lawyer in your state about legal documents and a health professional about care questions.

Do you save the letters?

No. The text stays on this page and clears when you leave or reload. Copy it into a private document or print it before you close the page.

Can I leave a prompt blank?

Yes. Write only what you want to share. You can return to the ideas later in your private copy.

Which prompts can you use on paper?

  1. If I cannot decide for myself

    1. What matters most to me 2. The people I want you to call 3. What helps me feel understood 4. The routines I want you to know 5. Where to find my care wishes 6. Something I want to say to you

  2. After I am gone

    1. What I want you to remember 2. The people who should hear from you 3. The stories or belongings that matter 4. Where to find my written wishes 5. Something I am grateful for 6. The words I want to leave with you

How does this tool work?

  1. 1
    What it does

    Write two personal letters for your family with six prompts each. One is for if you cannot decide, one for after you are gone. Free. Not a will.

  2. 2
    How it decides

    There is no score. Six prompts for each letter add your own words to one letter for if you can't decide for yourself and one for after you're gone.

  3. 3
    Your answers

    It runs in your browser. Nothing you choose here is saved or sent to us. Your letters are not a will.

  4. 4
    What it is based on

    These editorial prompts build on Tell your family about your plan. They do not implement a legal document. We review the prompts each year.

  5. 5
    What it doesn't do

    The letters aren't a will or any other legal document. It covers the United States. This is general information, not legal, medical or financial advice.

This tool is general information, not legal advice. Something wrong here? Tell us.

Can you add this tool to your website?

Free for libraries, care teams and community groups. Paste this code into your page.

<iframe data-plan-embed src="https://planbeforeyoudie.app/tools/letter-starter?embed=1" title="Write two letters for your family" width="100%" height="900" style="border:0" loading="lazy"></iframe>
<script src="https://planbeforeyoudie.app/assets/embed.js" defer></script>
<p>A free tool from <a href="https://planbeforeyoudie.app/tools/letter-starter" rel="nofollow">Plan Before You Die</a></p>

Related

Could your doctors find your health care proxy or advance directive today?

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Your answer starts the free readiness check. We count answers without knowing who you are.

Keep your family informed

Your plan keeps both letters with your papers, for the people you choose.

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