---
title: Write two letters for your family | Plan Before You Die
url: https://planbeforeyoudie.app/tools/letter-starter
source: Plan Before You Die
---

# 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

What matters most to me

The people I want you to call

What helps me feel understood

The routines I want you to know

Where to find my care wishes

Something I want to say to you

After I am gone

What I want you to remember

The people who should hear from you

The stories or belongings that matter

Where to find my written wishes

Something I am grateful for

The words I want to leave with you

## 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?
- **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

- **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?
- **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.

- **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.

- **Your answers**

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

- **What it is based on**

These editorial prompts build on [Tell your family about your plan](https://planbeforeyoudie.app/talk). They do not implement a legal document. We review the prompts each year.

- **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.