How to have a Soulful Conversation About One’s Legacy

The meaning of hope changes as one nears the end of life. Contrary to what we might think, hope is very much present, even in the face of a life-limiting diagnosis. While we have been taught that hope is connected to a future self, in the case of one who is living with a terminal diagnosis - often hope shifts to an intimate connection to one's life's meaning and purpose.

Research and studies have shown that an effective antidote to hopelessness has been in reconnecting your loved one with something that may give them a continued sense of meaning and purpose.

After your loved one receives a terminal diagnosis, they may wonder, "Am I still me?". It may seem an odd question, but it is a question of profound significance for those facing death.

"It is more important to know what sort of person has a disease than to know what sort of disease a person has". - Hippocrates

With the Soulfull Legacy Conversation Worksheet (which is based on Dr. Harvey Chochinov’s Dignity Therapy), you can support your loved one in engaging with life's final chapter while helping them to maintain a sense of dignity and self.

We recommend you send your loved ones the worksheet ahead of time and let them know you'd love to talk with them about their legacy.

For best results, use an audio recording device along with the Soulfull Legacy Conversation Worksheet while speaking, as it will help you transcribe the legacy keepsake later.

You Did It! Now What?

Pat yourself on the back and take a well-deserved break. You probably heard your loved one speak of love, gratitude, joy, regret, anguish, longing and grief. Before attempting to transcribe their words, pause to reflect on what that experience was like for you, and when you are ready, find a quiet place to listen, edit, and transcribe the conversation onto a document.

Transcribing your loved ones' words can feel daunting. Know that transcribing may include some editing which is only for the purpose of cleaning up the transcript (such as removing "uh's" and pauses), clarifying what is said, correcting time sequences and perhaps choosing which conversation would make a suitable ending for the keepsake. Editing your loved ones' words should not include fixing grammar, substituting words or sentences (you'll want it to read like they were speaking), nor should you feel the need to shorten any of their stories.

Share your first draft with your loved one, and let them have the final say in what goes into the keepsake.
Save your final legacy conversation keepsake booklet and perhaps publish it for use and distribution as needed or requested.