Your Guide To Sharing Fantastic Family Stories

Money isn’t the only important aspect of estate planning. Our history and stories are unique and irreplaceable gifts to our families. Today is a wonderful time to talk about our family history and values because November 2nd is the second day of Día de Los Muertos or the Day of the Dead. Día de Los Muertos is a Latin American celebration of life and death that blends indigenous Mesoamerican rituals with Catholicism brought to the region by the Spanish. From November 1st to the 2nd, the dead are awakened and return to the community to celebrate with their loved ones. Keeping family ties strong by remembering the past with love and respect for our deceased family members is at the heart of this holiday.

Family stories help us feel connected to where we came from. The upcoming Holiday Season is a great opportunity to share our stories. Whether you are passing on a cherished memory, a recipe, or a family heirloom, there is no better time to share than when the whole family is gathered around the fireplace or dinner table.

Imparting family values and traditions through stories, life lessons, and family possessions are consistently at the top of the list of things people want to pass on. In the “old days,” life’s lessons could only be passed along orally or by hand. And too often, by the time younger generations cared about life lessons and stories, the older generations were gone or their memories have faded. But today, technology makes preserving our family values easier than ever. Photographs, videos, and even social media or email accounts can offer sentimental value and inform future generations in ways you may not have even considered.

Here are some oral, digital, and written ideas to get the family stories flowing:

1. Bowl of Story Prompts. When the family is gathered ask everyone is submit a question that evokes a memory or an experience. Randomly pull the prompts and have everyone take turns answering the questions. This allows each generation to hear and share their experiences.
2. Invest in a Digital Photo Frame or a Family Gallery Wall. Keep your home filled with pictures of loved ones that are constantly in view. As they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Invest in your memories by displaying the ones captured digitally or on film to keep them at the forefront of your mind.
3. Gift a Loved-one a Memory Book. Whether you gift someone a service like StoryWorth or create your own to give, record personal memories for generations to look back on. It can be as simple or complicated, as digital or hard copy as you want it to be.

Family stories not only pass on your values to future generations and preserve your memory but it also helps children build their identity and strengthens their “story of self.” Listening to family stories leads to resiliency and better psychological health in children because they can connect their thoughts and feelings to those of family members.

Sharing your family stories is an invaluable experience that is just as important as passing along your wealth and material possessions. Including family values in your estate plan can be easy. Consider including written memoirs, video, or audio recordings of family stories in your estate plan. You can even record yourself discussing: generations that came before you, your childhood and immediate family; funny stories about you and other family members; family traditions; and lessons you have learned about yourself and the world to include in your plan. These are the valuables most likely to be lost.

If you want to pass down a truly holistic legacy, meet with us for a Family Wealth Planning Session. We will guide you in creating a comprehensive estate plan that protects and preserves your family’s heritage